Archive for the ‘Pro-E’ Category

3D Modeling, Drafting, Product Design, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks

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2D drawing

- An indirect and incomplete representation of an engineering product or system, subject to interpretation and error¹

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3D

- A real object or true depiction of real image¹

3D computer graphics

- Graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data… that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images³

3D computer graphics software

- Programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery⁹

3D model

- The product of 3D modeling²

- An object that is constructed on three planes²⁷

3D modeling

- The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object… via specialized software²

- The construction, manipulation, and storage of geometric objects to represent objects… around us or virtual objects¹⁷

3D printing

- A form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by successive layers of material⁶

3D rendering

- The 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer⁵

3D wireframe

- Extension of 2D drafting¹²

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Assembly modeling

- Technology and methods used by Computer-aided design and Product visualization computer software systems to handle multiple files that represent components within a product¹⁵

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Computer-aided design (CAD)

- The use of computer technology for the design of objects, real or virtual¹²

- A combination of both hardware & software that helps architects, engineers and related professionals in the real estate & manufacturing industry worldwide¹⁸

- An important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more¹²

- A major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and software), and discrete differential geometry¹²

- Especially important technology within the scope of computer-aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle¹²

- One of the many tools used by engineers and designers and is used in many ways depending on the profession of the user and the type of software in question¹²

- One part of the whole Digital Product Development (DPD) activity within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) process¹²

Computer-aided geometric design (CAGD)

- The design of geometric models for object shapes, in particular¹²

Computer animation or CGI animation

- The art of creating moving images with the use of computers¹⁰

- An artful blend of creative vision and technology³¹

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Design intent

- How the creator of the part wants it to respond to changes and updates⁴

DWGgateway

- A free data translation tool that enables any AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG file, regardless of the version of AutoCAD it was made in⁴

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eDrawings Professional

- An e-mail-enabled communication tool for reviewing 2D and 3D product design data across the extended product development team⁴

Electronic design automation (EDA or ECAD)

- A category of software tools for designing electronic systems such as printed circuit boards and integrated circuits²⁶

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Features

- Building blocks of the part⁴

- The shapes and operations that construct the part⁴

FeatureWorks

- Feature recognition software that lets designers make changes to static geometric data, increasing the value of translated files⁴

Flexibility

- The ability to change angles or animate images with quicker rendering of the changes²

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Group

- A starting point for discussions and collaborations²⁸

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Innovation

- A vital ingredient of business success²⁹

Interoperability

- The key issue which integrates various CAD CAM CAE tools¹

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Kinetic design

- Aesthetic design of physical movement³²

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Level sets

- A useful representation for deforming surfaces which undergo many topological changes²

Lighting

- An important aspect of scene setup²

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MACRO (merge and correlate recorded output)

- Anything more than a single command¹⁹

- Rule or pattern that specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to an output sequence according to a defined procedure²⁰

Macro program

- Computer programs that capture the user’s actions as if it is recording the user²¹

MoldflowXpress

- A mold design validation tool that was built into a solid modeling environment⁴

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Parameters

- Constraints whose values determine the shape or geometry of the model or assembly⁴

Polygonal modeling

- An approach for modeling objects by representing or approximating their surfaces using polygons⁸

Print3D

- A 3D printing feature that allows users to convert their 3D CAD model to a .STL file and then have it sent to specialty manufacturers for quote⁴

Procedural modeling

- An umbrella term for a number of techniques in computer graphics to create 3D models and textures from sets of rules⁷

Product design

- The efficient and effective generation and development of ideas through a process that leads to new products³⁰

Pro/ENGINEER

- A parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation¹³

- The first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software¹³

- An integral part of a broader product development system developed by PTC¹³

- A piece of software that falls within the category of CAD/CAM/CAE and site alongside other similar products currently on the market¹³

- A feature based modeling architecture incorporated into a single database philosophy with advanced rule based design capabilities¹³

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Skeletal animation

- A technique in computer animation, particularly in the animation of vertebrates, in which a character is represented in two parts: a surface representation used to draw the character… and a hierarchical set of bones used for animation only¹¹

Solid modeling

- A consistent set of principles for mathematical and computer modeling of three dimensional solids¹⁴

SolidWorks

- A 3D mechanical CAD… program that runs on Microsoft Windows and was developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks… a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes⁴

- A competitor to CAD programs such as Pro/ENGINEER, I-DEAS, Unigraphics, and CATIA⁴

- A parasolid-based solid modeler⁴

SolidWorks Flow Simulation

- A tool that tests fluid-flow simulation and thermal analysis so designers can conduct tests on virtual prototypes⁴

SolidWorks MoldBase

- A catalog of standard mold base assemblies and components⁴

SolidWorks Motion

- A virtual prototyping tool that provides motion simulation capabilities to ensure designs function properly⁴

SolidWorks Simulation

- A design validation tool that shows engineers how their designs will behave as physical objects⁴

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

- A design validation tool that caters to designers without engineering background⁴

SolidWorks Sustainability

- A product that measures the environmental impact of designs while they are modeled in SolidWorks⁴

SolidWorks Toolbox

- A library of parts that uses “Smart Part” Technology to automatically select fasteners and assemble them in the desired sequence⁴

SolidWorks Utilities

- Software that lets designers find differences between two versions of the same part, or locate, modify, and suppress features within a model⁴

SolidWorks Viewer

- A free plug-in for viewing SolidWorks parts, assemblies, and drawings⁴

SolidWorks Workgroup PDM

- A PDM tool that allows SolidWorks users operating in teams of 10 members or less to work on designs concurrently⁴

Sub-forum

- A great place to share your experiences and do your Q&A with other users²⁸

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Technical drawing or Drafting

- The academic discipline of creating standardized technical drawings by architects, interior designers, drafters, design engineers, and related professionals¹⁶

- Integral communication of technical or engineering drawings and is the industrial arts sub-discipline that underlies all involved technical endeavors¹⁶

- Means of clearly and concisely communicating all of the information necessary to transform an idea or a concept into reality²²

- Drawing plan, rendered to scale, used to communicate direction and specifics to a group of people creating something²³

- Formal and precise way of communicating information about the shape, size, features and precision of physical objects²⁴

- Universal language of engineering used in the design process for solving problems, quickly and accurately visualizing objects, and conducting analysis²⁴

- A graphical representation of objects and structures²⁴

- Expression of bodies by lines²⁴

- Skill, a vocation²⁵

Tessellation

- The process of transforming representations of objects, such as transforming the middle point coordinate of a sphere and a point on its circumference into a polygon representation of a sphere²

- A significant contributing factor to the resulting aesthetic and visual quality of the finished work²

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References:
¹Sunith. “Transforming a 2D Drawing to 3D CAD Data.” Online posting. 10 June 2009. CAD Professor. 19 July 2010 <http://www.cadprofessor.in/2009/06/transforming-a-2d-drawing-to-3d-cad-data/>.
²“3D modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeling>.
³“3D computer graphics.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_computer_graphics>.
⁴“SolidWorks.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SolidWorks>.
⁵“3D rendering.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_rendering>.
⁶“3D printing.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Printing>.
⁷“Procedural modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_modeling>.
⁸“Polygonal modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonal_modeling>.
⁹“3D computer graphics software.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeler>.
¹⁰“Computer animation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_animation>.
¹¹“Skeletal animation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_animation>.
¹²“Computer-aided design.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD>.
¹³“Pro/ENGINEER.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro/ENGINEER>.
¹⁴“Solid modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_modeling>.
¹⁵“Assembly modelling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_modelling>.
¹⁶“Technical drawing.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_drawing>.
¹⁷Dillip Kumar Barik. “Mechanical Cad Design and 3D Modeling Services.” Online posting. 22 Mar 2010. ArticlesBase. 20 July 2010 <http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/mechanical-cad-design-and-3d-modeling-services-2026899.html>.
¹⁸cadserviceireland. “Affordable CAD Services and CAD 3D Modeling Services.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. A1Articles. 20 July 2010 <http://www.a1articles.com/article_801232_15.html>.
¹⁹Ralph Grabowski. “TIPS: Macros.” Online posting. 5 Feb 2004. WorldCAD Access. 26 July 2010 <http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2004/02/tips_macros.html>.
²⁰Srivastava, Rahul. Customization of CAD Modeling Software using Parametric Macros for Design of Machinable Artistic Surface Patterns. Patiala: Thapar University, 2009. 27 July 2010 <http://dspace.thapar.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/10266/1033/1/RAHUL+SRIVASTAVA+80781021-+2009.pdf>.
²¹Schoonmaker, Stephen J. The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-Aided Design. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2003.
²²Goetsch, David L., et al. Technical Drawing. 5th ed. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, c2005.
²³“Definition of Technical Drawing.” YourDictionary. 20 July 2010. 3 Aug 2010. <http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/Definition-of-Technical-Drawing.html>.
²⁴G. Gülsev Uyar Aldas. “JFM210 Technical Drawing and Computer Application Lecture Notes (First Part).” Scribd. 26 Nov 2008. 3 Aug 2010 <http://www.scribd.com/doc/8455804/Technical-Drawing>.
²⁵Lee, Xah. “What Is Technical Drawing, Descriptive Geometry, Projective Geometry, Linear Algebra.” XahLee.org. 2 Aug 2010. 3 Aug 2010 <http://xahlee.org/3d/tech_drawing.html>.
²⁶“Electronic design automation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 26 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_design_automation>.
²⁷Kay. “25 (Free) 3D Modeling Applications You Should Not Miss.” Online posting. 14 Aug 2010. Hongkiat.com. 16 Aug 2010 <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-3d-modelling-applications-you-should-not-miss/>.
²⁸Saikat Basu. “Easily Learn 3D Modeling with 3DVIA Shape.” Online posting. 15 June 2010. MakeUseOf. 23 Aug 2010 <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3d-modeling-skills-easy-3dvia-shape/>.
²⁹Baxter, Mike. Product Design: Practical Methods for the Systematic Development of New Products. Cheltenham, UK: Nelson Thornes, 2002.
³⁰“Product design.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 6 Aug 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_design>.
³¹“Become a Professional in Animation.” Design Training. 30 Nov 2010. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.design-training.com/computer-animation/>.
³²Hopson, Ben. “Kinetic Design and the Animation of Products.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. Core77. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/kinetic_design_and_the_animation_of_products_by_ben_hopson_12642.asp>.

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For more information about CAD services, please read more.

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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For more information about CAD services, please read more.

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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For more information about CAD services, please read more.

• Rizza, Robert. Getting Started with Pro/Engineer Wildfire. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, c2005.
• Lamit, Louis Gary, and James Gee. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 3.0. Toronto: Thomson, c2007.
• Kelley, David S. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 3.0 Instructor. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, c2007.
• Lamit, Louis Gary, and James Gee. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0. United States: Cengage Learning, c2009.
• Lamit, Louis Gary. Pro/Engineer Wildfire 5.0. Stanford, CT: Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Kelley, David S. Pro/Engineer Wildfire Instructor. 1st ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2005.
• Adewale, Ajayi O. Solid Modeling using Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, c2006.

by Jerry Fireman

Clearance and creepage errors are commonly discovered by product safety engineers. But undetected clearance and creepage problems can result in product recalls and warranty expenses. At worst they could lead to injury with resulting litigation and damage to your company’s reputation.

Clearance and creepage analysis is all about ensuring that sufficient insulation is provided so that electrical current will not jump between two conductive parts, potentially causing injury or damage. More specifically, clearance analysis identifies the shortest path between two conductive parts or between a conductive part and the outer surface of an enclosure when the distance is measured through air. Creepage analysis identifies the shortest path along the surface of the insulation.

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From: PTC Express (www.ptc.com)

You may be spending most of your time making design changes
instead of creating new designs. But with the right 3D CAD
software, you can solve this problem – and quite a few others.
If you’re a design engineer working in a “typical” manufacturing company, you may be spending
60% to 80 % of your time updating and optimizing old designs, or making changes for ECOs,
instead of creating new designs. Industry-wide studies and PTC surveys confirm this startling fact.
With such a significant portion of your day devoted to design changes, you need a 3D CAD
system that simplifies and speeds the change process.
But this is just one of many challenges design engineers can solve by using more advanced 3D
CAD software. Here are five essential characteristics of a best-in-class 3D CAD system and how it
will enable you to focus on what you do best: design great products.

From: http://www.ptc.com/WCMS/files/86879/en/3966_Five_Things_EN.pdf