MDP Component Database

Welcome to the MDP Component Database. This database provides information on the components contained in the standard MDP kit which acts a base set of items to undertake MDP type projects in Schools and Universities. The database is continuing to be developed but currently contains basic information about a component and where available suppliers datasheets, teaching material/design calculations and standard Pro/Engineer part/assembly CAD files. The resource was originally developed as part of the Multi-disciplinary Design Project (MDP), run under the auspices and with funding from Cambridge-MIT Institute undergradute teaching programme. The MDP was set up to develop teaching material and kits to aid the running of mechtronics projects in Universities and Schools. Wherever possible commercially available components and software are being used and the support material developed inconjunction with a number of industrial sponsors. The MDP team acknowledges the great help given by industry in developing the database, in particular

PremierFarnell

Currently the system allows the user to browse a list for a component, as with the exisiting paper index, together with the ability to access to some of the additional information held in the central database, e.g. Image of the item, Original suppliers contact details/web address, additional specifications. Two versions of the system are being developed :

The relatively simple version shown here that can be run on a server or locally, e.g. from a CD, which gives limited search facilities and no ordering capability.
A more advanced server based system that will allow keyword searching of the complete database and screen based generation of orders. If required these functions could be incoporated with the prefered suppliers database, i.e. the OneCall based system, and/or with transaction data suitable for submission to a university/company purchase system.

In addition a paper (pdf) format is available, which gives basic information, with a layout similar to standard industrial catalogues.

Usage

Screen Layout

The screen is split into 4 areas

Direct links to the MDP Project and sponsors web pages.
Direct links to catalogue sections. The order and titles of the sections is derived from the UNSPSC coding scheme, see below for more details
This area allows the user to link directly to component type sub-sections
- The window is scrollable
- A limited search facility of the catagories is possible by using the Find/Search facility native to the browser, normally accessible by the hotkey .
- Selecting All Items option loads information on all 2700+ items into the system, which can take a short time and may make the system appear slower.
This window is used to display stock information. Once a catagory has been selected a subset of data relating to the stock items in the catagory are displayed on a scrollable table.
- Selecting the component Info icon will display an additional web page containing more detailed information about an stock item, e.g. image, supplier.
- Selecting the basket icon will add the item to the job ticket (ONLY available on the server based system)

Catalogue Details The catalogue layout is based around the product characterisation scheme developed by the United Nations (UNSPSC - United Nations Standard Products and Service Code). Currently this scheme is beginning to be used in Electronic Commerce and users should find Farnell and local suppliers able to cross reference particular product codes. The basic scheme gives a unique 8 digit number to all products, generated from 4 pairs of numbers that allow the user to `drill down' to a particular product code, e.g. for a Cap Head screw the code is

Hierarchy	Catagory Number and Name
		Seg.		Fam.		Class		Com.
Segment	-->	31	Manufacturing Components and Supplies
Family	-->			16	Hardware (Fasteners)
Class	-->					16	Screws
Commodity	-->							16	Socket Head

The coding scheme is continually under development and this will manifest itself with some better layout/organisation of some classes etc. If you wish to know more about the scheme please see the home websitewww.unspsc.org

FEEDBACK

We would welcome comments or suggestions about this system, please email them to MDP-Support or via the MDP project forums, accessed from the main MDP website .