Parker Virtual Engineer (eConfigurator CAD)
Provider：Parker Hannifin
Parker Virtual Engineer: enter the duty cycle, get a sized model and generated 3D CAD for that exact configuration; the cylinder tool offers 109 output formats.
At a glance
- Readiness
- L1 · Rigid-body ready
- Rationale
- Selection and geometry share one source: after entering the duty cycle and receiving a model code, the configured 3D CAD is generated directly (STEP, SAT, Inventor and others), with the hydraulic cylinder tool advertising 109 output formats. Friction, fluid and service-life parameters are not carried in the model — hence L1.
- Scale
- Virtual Engineer covers the selection-configuration-quotation loop for the electromechanical and drives range; the hydraulic cylinder 3D CAD tool advertises 109 output formats across 2D CAD, 3D CAD and graphics, and currently supports the Gen II series 2H/2HD/2HB/3H/3HD/3HB heavy-duty tie-rod and non-tie-rod cylinders; the filter selector allows 3D CAD and PDF specification downloads after free registration. (The 109-format claim and the 2H/3H series coverage come from Parker's official announcement and product literature, which also states that the 2HX/3HX families will be added later, so series coverage changes over time; official documentation gives no total model count. Checked 2026-10-26.)
- License
- Proprietary but free — The sizing and CAD generation tools are free to use, but saving projects, submitting RFQs and downloading most CAD files require an account; the filter selector explicitly requires free registration before 3D CAD and PDF downloads. Output geometry corresponds to the configured model code and varies with configuration parameters (bore, mounting, ports, seals, stroke and so on); prices shown on configurator pages are superseded by the current mechanical price list and do not constitute a quotation.
- Access
- Sign-up / registration
- Formats
- step · iges · other
- Runtimes
- other
- Physics properties
- Collision geometry
- Domain
- Solid / Structure
- Published
- 2026-10-26
- Updated
- 2026-10-26
Why it is listed
The interesting property here is that sizing and geometry come from one source of truth. You enter load, speed, orientation and external forces; the tool runs the sizing calculations and returns candidate products; then the CAD you download is generated from the same configured model code rather than being a generic representation pulled from a shelf. For hydraulic cylinders the output-format coverage is unusually broad, which removes the conversion step most vendor portals force on you.
Readiness assessment
L1 is the right call. Geometry arrives as STEP, SAT, Inventor and other mainstream formats, tied to a specific bore, mount, port, seal and stroke combination, so it is immediately usable for interference checks and machine layout. What does not travel with it: friction, fluid properties, seal behaviour, pressure ratings and life estimates. Those come from the sizing results and datasheets, and a digital twin needs both.
One caveat on scope — the cylinder configurator covers the Gen II 2H/2HD/2HB/3H/3HD/3HB series, with the 2HX/3HX family flagged as coming later. Confirm that your series is supported before planning a workflow around it.
Practical notes
Save your project inside the tool before generating CAD; the My Projects area is the only way to revisit a configuration without re-entering the duty cycle. Copy the order code before hitting generate — it is the key to reproducing the same download later and to matching the purchase order. When choosing an output format, prefer STEP AP214 or SAT ACIS 7 for cross-vendor use and Inventor only if the downstream assembly is authored there.
Treat any price shown in a configurator as indicative: Parker states the current mechanical price list takes precedence. Submit the saved project for quotation rather than quoting from the screen.
Disclaimer: license and usage terms follow the official source — verify them yourself before use. This site indexes and links only; it does not host or mirror any asset file.
License and usage terms are those of the official source — verify before use. No asset file is hosted or mirrored on this site.