Welcome to our preview of the 48th annual National Design Engineering Show. Over the course of four March days, more than 1,000 vendors in over 280,000 square feet of exhibits are expected to host 35,000 industry professionals in search of solutions, technology and innovations for their $770 billion design engineering market. Quite simply put...it's a monster of a show.

That's why we expect our "Design Show That Ate Chicago" issue to help guide you through it via a compendium of exhibitor and product descriptions. Coverage begins with summaries of selected engineering software exhibitors. Many of their products are located in the show's CAD/CAM pavilion, of which Designfax is the sponsor. The preview will also take you through the booths of exhibitors in the Electrical/Electronic, Sensors & Transducers, Motion Control, Fluid Power, Mechanical, Materials and Specialty Products & Services industries.

Please come visit us at Booth #883 while you make the rounds of McCormick Place. But if you can't make the show -- as always -- you have instant access to free information on all the products listed in our magazine. Direct links to company websites are programmed into our online issue. Or just send in the postage-paid reader service card and we'll have the companies contact you directly.

Next Big Show? April 4-6
IFPE 2000
McCormick Place * Chicago, IL
The International Fluid PowerExposition will cover all aspects of power transmission and control. FREE registration at www.ifpe.com  or phone 414-778-3378

Includes FREE admission to

* More than 400 exhibits
* Technical Conference presentations
* Hydraulic Fluids Symposium
* Hannover Fairs International Pavilion
* Italian and Taiwan Pavilions

NDES Show Dates and Hours*

March 13-16, 2000
McCormick Place Complex, Chicago IL

Show Hours:

MOTION HALL (North Level 1)
Opens 9:30 a.m. daily
Monday, March 13 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 14 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 16 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

*Registration opens daily at 8:30 a.m.