All software what I found, I divided into three categories:
- FREE Generic 2D CAD software
- FREE specialized Fluid Power design software for PC
- FREE specialized online Fluid Power design software
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FREE Generic 2D CAD software (Most popular only)
Most companies use 2D CAD software for their mechanical design and combine regular drawings design with the schematic design. For that, fluid power designers create own symbols libraries or use free and ready to use libraries from different suppliers (as an example).
1. AutoDesk AutoCAD, version for students
The link: http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/autocad
'Free Autodesk software is for personal use for education purposes and is subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies download of the software.'
Benefits:
- This is the AutoCAD – the best software in the world for 2D design. You can use it not only for schematic design but for any drawings you need.
- Free license for 3 years. After 3 years you can renew your license or get a new one for the new version of AutoCAD.
- No any limits in compare with the commercial version
Disadvantages:
- Legally you can use it for education purpose only
- You need to create a personal symbol library or try to find a free download of it somewhere on the internet.
- Version for Windows only.
2. nanoCAD from Nanosoft
The link: https://nanocad.com/products/nanoCAD/
'nanoCAD is a professional grade CAD tool. It has a familiar interface, powerful drafting and design tools, native DWG compatibility, and an open API. And it's totally free to use and share.'
nanoCAD 5.0 screenshot
Benefits:
- This software is very close to AutoCAD by the functionality and drafting method. If you worked/working in AutoCAD – you almost do not find any differences.
- I think, currently, this is the best FREE alternative for AutoCAD and I use it on my personal PC.
- Small size (400 Mb) and works pretty fast.
- Works with ALL AutoCAD files formats!
Disadvantages:
- Little bit fewer functions than AutoCAD has but more than enough to use it to draw circuits/diagrams.
- You need to create a personal hydraulic/pneumatic symbols library.
- Version for Windows OS only.
3. Dassault Systemes DraftSight
The link: https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/
Free FOR STUDENTS, HOBBYISTS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS
Benefits:
- Very powerful, the same functions as AutoCAD has, the best alternative for AutoCAD
- Read and write support for DWG/DXF files
- No any limits in compare with the commercial version, just free registration is required
- Versions for Windows, MAC add Linux.
Disadvantages:
- You need to create a personal symbol library or try to find a free download of it somewhere on the internet.
Updates
Jan 30, 2019. Bad news: the last version of DraftSight 2019 for Windows is offered in paid versions only. The latest FREE version is DraftSight 2018. All free versions of DraftSight (2018 or earlier) will cease to run after 12/31/2019Read more…
But free versions still available for MAC OS and Linux OS.
4. LibreCAD
The link: https://librecad.org/
LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers.
LibreCAD screenshot
Benefits:
- LibreCAD was developed as a fork of QCad Community Edition but has more efficient core and better quality of UI
- Most of the interface and handle concepts are analogous to AutoCAD
- Read and write support for DWG/DXF files
- Versions for Windows, MAC add Linux.
Disadvantages:
- You need to create a personal symbol library or try to find a free download of it somewhere on the internet.
- Some specific drafting manipulations still required, different from AutoCAD.
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FREE specialized Fluid Power design software for PC
Above was the most popular 2D CAD software only (which can work with DXF/DWG format). And, there is a lot of other free 2D CAD software that you can use for schematic design. I don't want to repeat others, you can google and find a lot of them.
But specialized products are more interesting for us. Let see what we have for today.
1. Bosch Rexroth Scheme Editor
The link: https://www.boschrexroth.com/en/xc/product…editor/dc-scheme-editor
The Scheme Editor software is available to you free of charge and allows you to intuitively create pneumatic circuit diagrams. This software helps you create standardized pneumatic circuit diagrams, from simple designs to complex projects. CAD skills are not required.
Benefits:
- drag&drop easy creation of pneumatic connections
- Symbol Modelling Tool (SMT) enables creation/modification of user-defined symbols
- user-defined symbols library
- user-defined templates
This is a very interesting product because it very flexible: if you do not have specific symbol in the library – you can create it, if you need an own template – you can design it. Working with this software I found the next issues:
- You have to be very careful with line connections: the lines can change their placement in strange directions if you move the symbol!
- There is a pneumatic symbols library only.
Using Symbol Modelling Tool I'm creating my own hydraulic library (symbol-by-symbol each time by request of my task), so you need to spend time on that. I wrote the E-mail to the technical support about a hydraulic library and got the response: 'We will release a hydraulic library in this year together with a new Scheme Editor version'. So, I hope it will happen! And when it happens, the Schematic Editor will be the best fluid power design utility!
Updates
Oct 10, 2016. The new version of the Bosch Rexroth Scheme Editor 6.2. has been released. And now it contains the Hydraulic library! Read more…
Jan 27, 2017. The new version of the Bosch Rexroth Scheme Editor 6.3. has been released. The major change is an extended Rexroth Hydraulic Library. Read more…
2. SMCDraw
The link: https://www.smcworld.com/select/pcds/en-jp/index.html
A pneumatic circuit diagram can be easily created by using the database for pneumatic equipment drawing symbols.
SMCDraw screenshot
Benefits:
- Some simple calculation can be made after system design (full stroke time, max velocity, flow, Dynamic characteristics simulation, etc.).
- Helps to select pneumatic components from SMC assortment only.
- Has the symbol design tool, but very uncomfortable to work with it.
Disadvantages:
- This software to design pneumatic schematics only.
- Limited by SMC assortment symbols library. You need to create a personal symbol library.
- Not intuitive and not comfortable design work.
- Not easy to connect symbols even with snap to grid.
What I really like in this software – the idea of some components/system calculations. I think, the SMC team is selected the correct way, but the product is still too fresh for use. Hopefully, it will be more intuitive and more comfortable for work in future versions. And, unfortunately, this software is for the design of pneumatic schematics only.
3. HydraForce i-Design
The link: http://www.hydraforce.com/i-design.html Older versions of gom player.
i-Design comes pre-loaded with everything you need to design a hydraulic schematic, featuring over 1000 configurable hydraulic components, including cartridge valves, pumps, motors and cylinders.
Benefits:
- Based on the Automation Studio engine. Symbols and connections work perfectly.
- Very intuitive and comfortable design work.
- In addition to the schematic, you get the full package for manifold design.
Disadvantages:
- First of all, this software is the utility to design hydraulic manifolds using HydraForce components only.
- Very limited library: you can use HydraForce components only and you can't add/create new symbols. For that, you have to use the Automation Studio software.
- The HydraForce template title you can use only.
Theoretically, using this software you can try to design a generic schematic because some generic symbols like cylinders, pumps, motors, pressure gauges, and others also present in the library. But to make the design easily you have to use HydraForce hydraulic components mostly.
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FREE specialized online Fluid Power design software
What is really good with online design:
- no any software needs to be installed
- doesn't matter what operating system you use
- files are automatically saved at the server but you can export and download them in any format.
1. SUN QuickDesign SmartConnect
The link: http://www.sunhydraulics.com/abo…chematic-tool
Define your specs as you build your schematic. Submit to QuickDesign™. Get your custom integrated package design. Request a quote. All in a matter of minutes. In one handy, free online software tool. Seriously.
SUN QuickDesign screenshot
Benefits:
- Drag&drop easy creation of hydraulic connections
- Work field looks like AutoCAD
- Very intuitive and comfortable design work
- Easy to design manifolds
Disadvantages:
- Very limited symbols library: you can use SUN Hydraulics components only and you can't add/create new symbols.
- The SUN template title you can use only.
I have already wrote the article about this online application. SUN created really nice online application. Very intuitive and comfortable work, minimum buttons, no any complicated menus. But again, you can try to design generic schematic because some generic symbols like cylinders, pumps, motors, pressure gauges and others also present in the library. But first of all this application developed for SUN Hydraulic components using only.
2. Danfoss EasyManifold
Added Sep. 25, 2019
The link: https://comatrol.com/easymanifold3d/
EasyManifold's intuitive user interface allows you to create your hydraulic schematic circuit by dragging and dropping from Danfoss ICS's complete digital library and the software will generate the full 3D!
Starting November 16th, 2018, Comatrol is a commercial brand name belonging to Danfoss and Comatrol's 'Easyvalve' is not available anymore. Instead, you can use the Danfoss EasyManifold online tool. The tool is free for use, but you need to contact a local Danfoss distributor to make an account and get access. I do not have access yet and can not comment a lot. But after watching the video how to use it at their website, it seems to me the online tool engine is 1:1 what the SUN Hydraulics has. Therefore, I suspect the same Benefits and Disadvantages will be applied for Danfoss product. As soon I get access to the tool I will make a full review of it.
Resume
If be honest, from all of free soft what I found, AutoCAD and DraftSight are still most preferred to use for schematic design. Hopefully, in the future, with a new version of Bosch Rexroth Scheme Editor (with integrated hydraulic symbols library) the situation can be changed. If I find something else, I will add all new applications reviews to this article. If you know something else what can help with FREE design of Fluid Power schematics – please let me know in comments below.
Mac Download Game
Updates
Aug 31, 2019. Since Comotrol is part of Danfoss, Comatrol Easyvalve is not available anymore, so info about this software was removed.
Sep 25, 2019. URLs were updated in this post.
Dec 29, 2019. Info about QCAD was replaced with LibreCAD.
Oct 14, 2020. Info about nanoCAD has been added.
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