Archive for July, 2010

Zuken announced E³.WireWorks 2010, the “electrical and fluid engineering software package” for SolidWorks users. E³.WireWorks is a “Windows-based, modular, scalable and intuitive system for the design of wiring, harnesses, cables assemblies, and cabinet and panel layout.” Its integration with SolidWorks allows users to easily transfer fluid connectivity, pipe, and equipment data between the two. Users can also save, apply to multiple projects, and activate user-friendly variants and options. Users can automatically update all design parameters on sheets, connections, pins, etc, on a new table format. Thus, changing designs is easier. An engineer can also continue to work on a design even if a component in not in the library. SolidWorks and Zuken provide innovations that allow small companies to try new ideas and become successful.
Reference:
“Zuken Unveils E³.WireWorks 2010 for SolidWorks.” Ten Links. 24 June 2010. 15 July 2010 <http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/zuken/062410_e%C2%B3.wireworks_2010.htm>

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A full license of STHENO/PRO, the “powerful drafting software” of Pro/ENGINEER, is now available with 75% discount for users who are using the free trial version. This is until August 31, 2010. CAD users are becoming aware of the benefits that they can get from this offer. Customers use STHENO/PRO in their Pro/ENGINEER to secure, edit, and manage, among other functions, their raster and DXF/DWG data.

Reference:
“CAD Schroer Announces 75% Off DXF/DWG and Raster Editing 2D CAD for Pro/ENGINEER® Users.” CAD CAM News. 6 July 2010. 15 July 2010 <http://www.cadcamnews.in/2010/07/cad-schroer-announces-75-off-dxfdwg-and.html>.

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Watling developed a snowmobile track with a rearward axle (Rear Axle Drive (RAD) technology) that, compared to traditional designs, provided faster acceleration, increase in top speed, reduction in stopping distance, superior cruising and cornering, and increase in fuel economy. He used SolidWorks to develop his current prototype machine and said that, by using SolidWorks, he was able to save time and to avoid making more physical prototypes. He also said that his machine will “carve like a snowboard, climb like a scared cat, launch like a dragster, crank in the corners, and stop like you snagged a fence.” In order to demonstrate the superior performance of the technology that he developed, he will soon try it on racing sleds later this year. He said that SolidWorks enabled him to take his design to its current level.

Reference:
“SolidWorks User Wins Popular Science Invention Award.” Webnewswire.com. 1 July 2010. 14 July 2010 <http://www.webnewswire.com/node/548639>.

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Autodesk and FARO agreed to work together to integrate point cloud data to AutoCAD 2011 software. Autodesk will be using FARO Laser Scanner Photon for capturing point cloud data. The integration of point cloud platform to AutoCAD will allow users to obtain a high performance usage of scan data. This is in response to customers’ need for “direct import and support for large point clouds in AutoCAD.” This will speed up the conversion from as-built information to 3D models, and both AutoCAD 2011 users and FARO Laser Scanner users will benefit from this. Autodesk and FARO cooperate to help customers save time in their design activities.

Reference:
“FARO and Autodesk Collaborate to Add Support for Point Cloud Data to AutoCAD 2011.” MarketWatch. 6 July 2010. 14 July < http://www.marketwatch.com/story/faro-and-autodesk-collaborate-to-add-support-for-point-cloud-data-to-autocad-2011-2010-07-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp>.

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Shapeways and Design Solutions introduced a SolidWorks 3D mechanical CAD (MCAD) add-in that allows SolidWorks users to 3D print designs in materials such as stainless steels, glasses, full color sandstones, etc. To do this, users must install the add-in, open a SolidWorks model, login to Shapeways, and save to Shapeways. According to Peter Weijmarshausen, CEO of Shapeways, the add-in “makes it easier… to turn 3D designs into physical objects.” The Shapeways add-in is available for free at the Design Solutions website.

Reference:
“Shapeways Offers 3D Print Add In for SolidWorks.” Ten Links. 24 June 2010. 14 July 2010 <http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/shapeways/062410_3d_print_addin.htm>.

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BobCAD-CAM released a new programming add-in for SolidWorks called BobCAM for SolidWorks. BobCAM allows users to utilize its two- to four-axis machining capabilities, which are fully associative with the part model. Any machining strategy, such as tool pattern and cutting condition, is either associative with a specific part or with the entire system. Other functionalities of BobCAM include profiling, pocketing, engraving, etc. BobCAM has a customizable material and tool database and post processors for some machines.

Reference:
“‘Fully Integrated’ BobCAM for SolidWorks CAM Software.” American Machinist. 24 June 2010. 14 July 2010 <http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/85927/Issue>.

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3DVIA is a “brand of Dassault Systèmes that was founded to extend their high-end 3D graphics capabilities to new markets including consumers.” The 3DVIA umbrella is composed of different product groups.

The company offers the following products:

• 3DVIA Shape – a free modeling application
• Microsoft Virtual Earth (Virtual Earth – 3DVIA) (together with Microsoft)
• 3DVIA Composer product line (after the acquisition of Seemage) – for 3D technical documentations
• 3Dswym.com (together with Publicis Groupe) – for co-creating new products and services
• 3DVIA Studio – a comprehensive development platform with a realistic time-rendering engine

Reference:
“3dvia.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 14 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3dvia>.

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First name/version: AutoCAD Version 1.0 Release 1
Most recent name/version: AutoCAD 2011 Release 18.1

AutoCAD is a “CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting” and a product of Autodesk, Inc. It is “one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers.” AutoCAD originated from Interact, an SPL program. Marinchip Software Partners (renamed as Autodesk) again coded AutoCAD this time using C and PL/1. However, the PL/1 version became unsuccessful. While earlier versions run under UNIX and Mac OS, AutoCAD is now compatible with Microsoft Windows alone. With the release of recent AutoCAD versions, 3D modeling became improved, editing of 3D models became easier, and quality rendering became possible. AutoCAD supports AutoLISP, Visual LISP, VBA, .NET, and ObjectARX for customization and automation.

AutoCAD LT is a “lower cost version of AutoCAD with reduced capabilities.” Both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT support different languages such as English, German, French, etc. It serves as an entry-level CAD package to compete with other products that have low prices. AutoCAD Freestyle is a “simplified, low-cost… application that makes it easy to create accurate, professional-looking 2D drawings and sketches.” The student version of AutoCAD is functionally identical with the full version except for DWG files of the student version. The output from the student version contains a plot stamp.

Some industry-specific CAD applications that run under the AutoCAD Platform:

• AutoCAD Electrical
• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• AutoCAD Map 3D
• AutoCAD Mechanical
• AutoCAD MEP
• AutoCAD P&ID
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
• AutoCAD Structural Detailing

AutoCAD supports the following file formats:

• DWG – native file format of AutoCAD
• DXF – interchange file format of AutoCAD
• DWF – for publishing CAD data.

Reference:
“AutoCAD.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 13 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD>.

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Reference:
“AutoCAD.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 12 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD>.

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First name/version and build number: Pro/ENGINEER (Autofact 1987 premier) R 1.0

Most recent name/version and build number: Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire R 4.0

Pro/ENGINEER is a “parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). It was the “first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software.” It is an “integral part of a broader product development system developed by PTC” and a “feature based modeling architecture incorporated into a single database philosophy with advanced rule based design capabilities.”

Pro/ENGINEER, which is very useful in mechanical engineering, design, and manufacturing, was developed by Dr. Samuel P. Geisberg, and it became the “first successful rule-based constraint (sometimes called ‘parametric’ or ‘variational’) 3D CAD modeling system.” It is supported by Microsoft Windows and UNIX platforms. Its functionalities include NC and tooling design, surfacing, routed systems design, etc. It uses a “rich and powerful design approach,” called the parametric modeling approach, which ultimately allows “design automation and the optimization of design and product development processes.” The approach is very useful when a prescriptive design strategy is very critical to a design process.

Model data in Pro/ENGINEER can be used for finite element analysis, rapid prototyping, tooling design, and CNC manufacturing. Without conversion, data among CAD, CAE, and CAM modules can be interchanged. Engineering drawings in Pro/ENGINEER are fully associative, which allows users to change a design at any stage of the development process, thereby producing a design, analysis and manufacturing engineers who are “working in parallel.” Fully associative engineering drawings allow an accurate modeling of a product and its bill of materials.

Capabilities of Pro/ENGINEER are divided into three types: engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing. Pro/ENGINEER also provides tools (aside from general geometry tools) for other integrated design disciplines and for incorporating ECAD designs into 3D modeling environments. It also allows the use of concept design tools that range from conceptual industrial design sketches to comprehensive freeform surface tools to provide industrial design concepts. It considers things such as human factors and design optimization in the development of a product. Pro/ENGINEER is well-equipped with tools for manufacturing such as tooling design and simulated CNC machining and output. It also includes options for die-casting and progressive tooling design. Pro/ENGINEER connects to other products of PTC such as Windchill, ProductView, Mathcad, and Arbortext.

Reference:
“Pro/ENGINEER.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 8 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro/ENGINEER>.

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