News & Events
Press Releases : May 31, 2005

KIDDE FIRE FIGHTING'S NATIONAL FOAM DIVISION TAPS KUBOTEK KEYCREATOR™  FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Leading Fire Equipment Designer and Manufacturer Uses KeyCreator to Aid Collaborative Project to Create New Foam and Pumping Technologies

Marlboro, MA - May 31, 2005 -Kubotek USA today announced it has received an order for software upgrades from the National Foam Division of Kidde Fire Fighting (KFF). KFF recently used Kubotek's KeyCreator to successfully produce the new Neptune Pumping System, a combination of technologies and expertise from two separate Kidde business units.

The Neptune Pumping System was a product of the combined expertise of the Kidde business units National Foam and Angus Hose. National Foam provided expertise in the design of mobile fire fighting equipment and incorporated Kidde Fire Fighting's Angus Flexible Pipeline's pioneering Super Aqueduct 12 inch large diameter lay-flat hose.

"KeyCreator gives us the flexibility we need when designing complex new products," said Keith Coblentz, systems designer, Kidde Fire Fighting's National Foam Division. "With our recent Neptune Pumping System project, we needed to work with one of our sister companies and numerous suppliers. The ability to easily share KeyCreator designs made collaboration on the project effortless. Additionally, with KeyCreator, we are able to move quickly from the design to manufacturing stage with this complicated piece of equipment in under six months. Over two hundred drawings were developed for the manufacturing of this product as well as multiple pieces for marketing."

"Kidde's Neptune Pumping System is yet another example of a Kubotek customer using KeyCreator to easily collaborate with other designers," said Robert Bean, COO, Kubotek USA. "The two Kidde business units combined their knowledge of designing cutting edge fire fighting systems with a set of existing product models to bring a new, unique product to the market."

The Neptune Pumping System delivers 5,000 gallons per minute and is a modular pumping system that offers municipal and industrial fire departments, as well as private and municipal water companies, the ability to quickly deploy and pump water from previously inaccessible locations. This greatly expands the range from which water can be drawn. In addition to its fire fighting usage, the Neptune Pumping System can also be used to provide temporary potable water supplies for disaster relief efforts.

Kubotek KeyCreator builds on the heritage of CADKEY, the first true 3D MCAD software for the desktop. KeyCreator combines both the latest in geometry-based design and modeling technology, and a legacy of success in helping customers in the design of tooling, complex machinery, fixtures, molds, dies in a multitude of product development industries including automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, sports equipment, medical device, and many more.

The KeyCreator creation engineering product line includes multidimensional design and drafting, NC programming and reverse engineering capabilities. The rapidly expanding product line features the company's unique geometry-based foundation with Direct Feature EditingT and sophisticated deformation techniques.

About National Foam
National Foam, part of the Kidde Fire Fighting organization, is a manufacturer of Foam Concentrate, Foam Proportioning Systems, Foam Fire Fighting Equipment, Monitors, Nozzles, Foam Pumpers, Aerials and Tankers. National Foam has historically been at the forefront of foam fire fighting and fire control technology and is the acknowledged world leader in providing foam-based solutions. Other brands associated with National Foam include: Feecon, offering airport crash rescue and general mobile fire fighting equipment and Wirt Knox, offering a range of hose racks, reels, carts and general hose storage accessories.

About Kubotek
Kubotek USA, Inc., headquartered in Marlborough, MA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kubotek Corporation. Kubotek USA develops and manufactures KeyCreator software (formerly CADKEY) and is also responsible for sales, marketing, distribution and support for the Americas.

Visit Kubotek at: www.kubotekusa.com.

Editorial Note: Images available