Innovations in Prototyping/Software (Oct. 2001)
September 27, 2001
Geomate Corp.
GEOMATE 4.5 incorporates behavior modeling technology that allows users to specify performance results such as area, moment of inertia, volume, cost, position, weight, clearance, distance, tolerance, stress, and deflection as behavioral goals. The computer then builds the optimal geometry automatically. The software can be used standalone as well as in conjunction with all popular CAD and solid modeling software.
Lumeo Software
Lumeo Motion simulates the true motion dynamics of rigid multibody systems. The application automatically makes use of the data defined by the user in the original CAD model including geometry, material and mass properties, initial forces, and other attributes. Lumeo Access establishes and manages connectivity between Pro/ENGINEER and Lumeo Motion. The plug-in platform seamlessly integrates into the user’s CAD software and has an open API for third-party development.
VX Corp.
Version 5, a new mold design package, automatically creates cooling channels as well as face vents, swabs, electrode placement and inserts, and checks for interference with the part, mold cavity, or cooling elements. Difficult curved parting lines are easily generated. Gaps or multibranch nodes for all parting curves are indicated, and users can zoom in, out, or around to examine the mold and make changes.
Vistagy
EnCapta™ software augments CAD software by providing engineers with tools for capturing and communicating specialized, non-geometric design data. Once engineers capture a complete
digital product definition, they can also use EnCapta to distribute this valuable resource to other engineering applications and to the product development team. EnCapta features customizable templates for defining EnCapta objects, an interactive user interface, and XML tools.
Ansoft
PEmag™ 4.0 is magnetic component design software for power electronics. The latest version of the software aids the design and analysis of power supply transformers and inductors. PEmag allows the designer to create geometry by selecting from a database of commercial cores, wires, materials, and geometries
to build and simulate the transformer without errors. PEmag predicts magnetizing and leakage inductance, interwinding capacitance, resistance, and other parameters.
DTM Corp.
The VANGUARD™ and VANGUARD HS (high-speed) SLS® systems are similar to current Sinterstation® systems in their use of the SLS selective laser sintering process. However, the VANGUARD HS system creates production-quality parts faster and parts produced on the VANUGARD systems have greater accuracy and precision, finer detail, and smoother surface finish.
Sensable Technologies
FreeForm™ Version 4.0 provides touch-based modeling with new tools that offer greater control over models. Features include an enhanced sketching capability, a new offset function to assist with the creation of “shell” models, a new suite of modeling tools, and the capability to “deform” shapes and perform global changes on all or part of a model without losing detail.
Translation Technologies
The Acc-u-Trans™ Interoperability Engine provides translation solutions for the four major CAD systems: SDRC I-DEAS, Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA, and Unigraphics. The lack of interoperability of these systems has cost manufacturers efficiency. Without interoperability, it is impossible for engineers to share files created in different CAD programs.
LMS International
DADS 9.6 is part of a suite of physical and digital prototyping tools that enable engineers to integrate actual test data with virtual prototypes. DADS 9.6 features speed improvements of 10 to 100 times for certain applications. Its open architecture allows template-based interfaces to be designed that capture engineering knowledge through parameterized forms for specific simulation applications.
DSM Somos
10120 WaterClear™ is a new stereolithography resin providing the optical clarity of many polycarbonates. The resin, designed to work with solid-state lasers, was beta-tested on a wide variation of stereolithography equipment. The material composite mimics the flexural strength and modulus of polycarbonate, the notched izod impact strength of Nylon 66, and the tensile strength of ABS. Its transparent appearance may be dyed, in a secondary step, for color tint.
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