Mercury Announces PowerStream 6600

By DE Editors

Hardware, Software, Tools, and Utilities 

   

DE Readers’ Choice

UGS Launches Solid Edge 19

SE 19 includes “hundreds of enhancements requested by our small and mid-size customers,” says spokesperson.

New relationship types between gears and motors as well as new explode and motion simulation capabilities are some of the enhancements in Solid Edge 19 that UGS Corp. (Plano, TX) highlights. (See Al Dean’s SE 19 review in the September 2006 issue of DE).

Solid Edge v19 offers full-motion simulation capabilities. Here, engineers can now define relationships between different motion drivers, such as gears, pulleys, hydraulics, and cylinders. Next, engineers can send their suppliers and customers motion studies of their design, showing how it is intended to function. Additionally, v19 offers dynamic documentation tools that let engineers capture, modify, and animate how parts are assembled and disassembled.

Solid Edge v19 “includes hundreds of enhancements requested by our small and mid-size customers,” said Adrian Scholes, director of Solid Edge marketing for UGS in a briefing with DE. Further, Mr. Scholes pointed out various features and capabilities that enable designers, manufacturers, and global partners to create, share, and manage design information.

Solid Edge 19

For full details including online AVIs, go to the Solid Edge pages on the UGS website by clicking here.

Solid Edge Version 19 received the most votes in our July 2006 issue. Vote for your favorite from this issue on the last page of the Products section. 

Tecplot, Inc. (Bellevue, WA) has released Tecplot RS (Reservoir Simulation) 2007, an integrated plotting tool for oil and gas reservoir modeling.  It offers support for VIP reservoir simulation software from Landmark Graphics (Houston, TX)

Tecplot RS allows data from multiple sources to be loaded and displayed in plots ranging from x,y graphs to complex 3D renderings. It manages data from multiple reservoir simulation applications, as well as observed data such as production rates and formation tests.

Among new options are viewing cell data in 3D grid plots, such as arbitrary vertical slices, which let you create such slices by clicking on two locations to connect injectors and producers. 3D grid views include IJK slice, y,x,z slice, IJK blanking, and well-blanking.

New features include the ability to translate and rotate grid, and convert to UTM coordinates to align with the real map view. A new comparison tool lets you calculate and display the difference between two solutions for the same grid.

An annual network license is $4,000. Special consultant and educational pricing is available upon request.

For more, click here.

The PowerStream 6600 multicomputer from Mercury Computer Systems Inc. (Chelmsford, MA) comes with 716 PowerPC GFLOPS of compute performance in a conduction-cooled enclosure, which, the company says, enables sensor computing on the move. Mercury adds that the PowerStream 6600’s performance and rugged mechanical design enables manned and unmanned vehicles to support C4ISR (command, control, communication, computers, information, surveillance and reconnaissance) multimode missions, such as radar and image, and SIGINT processing.

PowerStream 6600

The 16-slot PowerStream 6600 is a complete computing solution with DA, high-speed I/O, PowerPC compute clusters, and FPGA processing integrated with open-standard software. The latter includes Linux and VxWorks, VPX-REDI (VITA 46 and 48), PMC-X/XMC, Ethernet, and RapidIO interconnect fabric.

For details, click here.

Lambda Research (Littleton, MA) announced a new fluorescence modeling capability in its TracePro Expert software for modeling and analyzing the propagation of light in optomechanical systems.

With this new functionality, TracePro Expert users can simulate fluorescence and address the design challenges inherent in fluorescence-based optical systems across such disciplines as biosensing, in-vitro and in-vivo medical diagnostics, spectroscopy, microarrays, flow cytometry, and microscopy.

TracePro Expert

CAM software developer MecSoft Corp. (Irvine, CA) announced RhinoART 1.0, its third plug-in for Rhinoceros 3.0 from McNeel and Associates (Seattle, WA).

RhinoART

Measurement Studio, an integrated suite of measurement and automation controls, tools and class libraries from Adept Scientific, is designed for hardware from Measurement Computing Corporation (MCC; Norton, MA).  Measurement Studio is optimized for test, measurement, and automation applications for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio.NET 2003.

According to Adept Scientific, the Measurement Studio MCC Edition provides a powerful programming environment to create a complete, integrated measurement solution. It reduces application development time with ActiveX and .NET controls, object-oriented measurement hardware interfaces, advanced analysis libraries, scientific user interface controls, measurement data networking, wizards, interactive code designers, and highly extensible classes.

Designed for engineers and scientists building test, measurement, and control applications, Measurement Studio includes measurement tools for Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C#, and Visual C++. It includes drivers for all MCC USB and PCI data acquisition (DA) products, and can be used to acquire data from GPIB, serial, Ethernet, and plug-in DA devices.

It also includes DataSocket server and client controls for live data networking, code-generating DA and instrument I/O Assistants, and a selection of user interface controls including extensible graphs and switches.

Adept Scientific supplies MCC’s full range of products and can also provide installation, configuration, and implementation services as well as training. Details of Adept Scientific’s DA solutions can be found by clicking here.

Conceptual Product Development, Inc. (CPD; West Caldwell, NJ) has released two new workbooks, the KEYCREATOR 6 Workbook and KEYCREATOR 6 Sizzling Solids, to aid users of the software from Kubotek USA (Marloborough, MA).

The KEYCREATOR 6 Workbook encompasses both KeyCreator 5 and the enhancements present in KeyCreator 6, providing hundreds of tips. Starting with a treatment of 2D construction, the exercises proceed through solid modeling, assembly techniques, and creation of drawings.

Doctor Walt’s KEYCREATOR 6 Sizzling Solids focuses on freeform solid modeling, offering step-by-step instruction on creating castings, formed metal objects, etc.

Price: $84.95 (KEYCREATOR 6 Workbook); $79.95 (Sizzling Solids). For more info, click here.

SolidCAM (Or-Yehuda, Israel) says SolidCAM2007 R11 further expands the software’s 3D Milling functionality by providing a high-speed machining (HSM) module for molds, tools and dies, and complex 3D parts. According to the company, the new HSM module expands the 3D machining capabilities of SolidCAM by allowing users to generate complex NC programs for different high-speed cutting machines.

SolidCAM HSM

SolidCAM2007 R11 will be available shortly. For details or to register for a demo of an earlier version of SolidCAM, click here.

The palm-sized OM-2041 data logger from OMEGA (Stamford, CT) stores up to 10,000 records per channel. It runs on “AA” batteries or via an AC adaptor, working equally well as a portable or fixed-location logger. With the exclusive software, data recording, data retrieval, and parameter programming can be accomplished using the logger alone or in conjunction with a PC. It accepts Type K, E, J, and T thermocouple inputs, as well as 0 to 5V and 0 to 20mA signals. Other features include simultaneous four-channel measurement and display, high-low alarms for each channel, display of maximum-minimum-average values, and two logging modes.

Price: $792. For further details, click here.
LabVIEW Opens Graphical System Design to MATLAB

National Instruments (NI; Austin, TX) has released LabVIEW 8.20, the 20th anniversary edition of the LabVIEW graphical system design platform for test, control, and embedded system development. Building on its history of interconnectivity with third-party hardware and software, LabVIEW 8.20 extends the LabVIEW graphical dataflow language with native support for text-based math with MathScript. LabVIEW 8.20 also is said to bring significant improvements in control design and simulation performance and accelerates development of real-time system prototypes using standard PCs, FPGAs, or custom designs.

Using MathScript, you can integrate your MATLAB M-files or create new scripts with LabVIEW and mix and match graphical and text-based approaches to meet your application needs or prototype systems. By combining the interactive front-panel GUIs and connectivity to real-world I/O from LabVIEW with algorithms designed in traditional text-based math languages, engineers can quickly explore, prototype, iterate, and complete their designs.

LabVIEW 8.20 also helps you incorporate algorithms from other mathematics packages, including Maple and Mathcad. For FPGA-based development, you can use new machine monitoring IP libraries and add third-party IP through the VHDL node in the LabVIEW FPGA module. Third-party IP cores for LabVIEW FPGA have been validated by Xilinx, Celoxica, and Impulse C.

NI says LabVIEW 8.20 improves algorithm execution speeds for both simple PID and advanced control systems. The PID Toolkit has improved performance by up to 14 times and execution speed of the LabVIEW Simulation Module is improved up to nine times.

With LabVIEW 8.20, you can integrate control algorithms and plant models developed on third-party platforms directly into the LabVIEW design and prototyping platform. With the Simulation Interface Toolkit, you can use Simulink simulation models in LabVIEW for real-time control prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop testing. With the new External Model Interface in LabVIEW 8.20, you can integrate values from third-party plant models in the LabVIEW Simulation Module. The LabVIEW 8.20 Simulation Module works with third-party models from Dynasim and Plexim GmbH.

For more information, click here.

SyTech Releases XLReporter Version 7.0

SyTech Inc. (Walpole, MA) says its XLReporter Professional Version 7.0 software offers ways to automatically produce reports in Microsoft Excel from live process data as well as historical and relational databases. Completed reports are automatically sent to printers, e-mail, fileservers, and web servers.

XLReporter version 7.0 extends its list of supported data sources with customized historical interfaces to OPC-HDA servers, Emerson Process Management’s DeltaV, GE-Fanuc’s Proficy Historian, and Wonderware’s InSQL.

In addition to the automated reporting provided, this version offers complete on-demand reporting so that users can produce reports from Excel or from their HMI displays.

For more information, click here.

GEI 4636 Adds to Wide-Format Product

GEI Wide Format Solutions (North Canton, OH) has added what it is calling a versatile, all-digital multifunction product to its lineup. The GEI 4636 is designed for the mid-volume user market.

According to a press release, the GEI 4636 has 8D per minute print speed, four-roll paper capacity, 18 in. x 24 in. cut sheet printing, and wireless scanning. It features front access paper handling and paper roll replacement, and includes multiple security features to ensure data stays protected, including erasable data HDD and encryption. The optional Embedded Scanner allows the copier to be upgraded for scanning. By adding the 4636 Controller, the system can be upgraded to support network printing from Windows, Mac, and Unix. By adding its Scan Option, it can also be upgraded to advanced scanning, image editing, merging, and archiving.

GEI says the 4636 delivers simplicity and productivity in a compact footprint. Users can copy, print, scan, and e-mail documents themselves, boosting productivity and improving turnarounds. It is fully upgradeable and is intended to work as an all-in-one solution to cut costs, and combine ease and efficiency.

For more information, click here.

SmartCAM V13.5 Released

SmartCAM V13.5, says developer SmartCAMcnc (Eugene, OR), has been improved with new organizational tools for job and process data that include Regenerative Toolpath Elements and a Core and Cavity Roughing Automation panel. Additionally, V13.5 provides improved Z-level core/cavity roughing and spiral hole making functionality.

   

SmartCAM

SmartCAM V13.5’s new Regenerative Toolpath Elements capability captures process information used to create a specific toolpath. Data are deposited in what is called a “toolpath container,” from which you can later recall this data for process modification and optimization. You can use the original manufacturing parameters to create a toolpath, or modify the parameters for your new requirements. Additionally, the modified toolpath containers can be given a new name and description providing further documentation of the toolpath process.

A Job Library feature gives you the ability to capture and collect tooling, operation parameters, and speeds/feeds from old or new SmartCAM job files. You can insert stored data into a current job and, when you create an all-new tool for a job, you can immediately store it in the Job Library for future use.

SmartCAM V13.5 represents the company’s fifth full release since it re-established SmartCAM development more than two years ago.  For more details on SmartCAM V13.5, click here.

App for Tube Bending, Hydroforming

ESI Group (Paris, France) has released PAM-TUBE 2G, a specialized product suite for tube bending and hydroforming processes. Part of the company’s stamping simulation product line, PAM-TUBE 2G is reported to provide accurate tube-bending simulation with realistic tool modeling and behaviors.

PAM-TUBE 2G gives you coverage of the range of tube forming processes. Major features in PAM-TUBE 2G include automatic addendum design, weld line consideration, inverse and accurate bending simulation, and multistage bending and hydroforming. Other functionalities include distributed parallel processing for bending, an annealing option, and multistage macro templates.

For more, click here.

NURBS-Based Environment Added for Rapid Prototyping and Reverse Engineering

Amapi Pro 7.51 from e frontier (Scotts Valley, CA) provides a NURBS-based environment to construct, model, and assemble complex 3D models in packaging, rapid prototyping, and reverse engineering.

Amapi Pro handles IGES, SAT, STEP, openNURBS, VDAFS, STL, and DWG file formats. Plus, it can import/export using EPS, OBJ, 3DS, and DXF formats. Its Dynamic Geometry palette lets you navigate inside complex, multi-level objects or revisit an earlier design for design alternatives.

Amapi Pro has full NURBS and polyhedral modeling engines. Its curve and surface construction toolset includes a 2D drawing toolbox; generalized extrusions, lofting, hulls; and the ability to define volumes by surface boundaries. Among its high-end modeling tools are trimmed surfaces, Boolean operators, variable filleting, surface offset, and thickness.

Amapi Pro is available for Windows and Macintosh platforms. Amapi Pro is $749.99 via download from e frontier’s website. For details, click here.

Component Electroplating Simulation Aimed at Saving Waste Now Available

HNKTech Europe Ltd. (Wimbledon, UK), a consultancy and developer of customized FEA (finite element analysis) solutions, now offers simulation software for electroplating components. The software produces highly accurate coating uniformity, says the company, and reduces wastage costs, improves product quality, and speeds time to market.

HNKTech’s FEA software creates a density model that’s displayed after you input your electroplating setup—geometric profile, material properties, and boundary conditions. Using these variables, the software simulates the electroplating process then displays the density model with predicted plating thickness and uniformity.

Users of the simulation program can review the density model and make changes to the positioning of the jig, voltage, time, and temperature. The simulation is re-run until users are satisfied with the thickness and uniformity predicted. The company says that the variation in thickness and uniformity between  predicted and achieved in the factory is 95% accurate.

HNKTech’s software uses a customized user interface that is said to be easy to use. For further details, click here.

Upgraded CADCAM System Shown

BobCAD-CAM (Dunedin, FL) was unveiled Version 22 of its BobCAD-CAM 2D/3D CAD-CAM system at IMTS 2006 in Chicago. According to the company, V22 has been “rebuilt from the ground up” and offers the largest number of improvements the company has ever produced in an upgrade. 

   

BobCAD-CAM

Among the enhancements cited by the company are a new user-friendly interface, a fully associative job tree for managing jobs from start to finish, and user-definable operation sequences. V22 also offers complete tool and material libraries as well as pre-definable composite operation sets.

The new job tree offers capabilities for reordering operations or turning operations on or off as needed when posting to the machine. 3D toolpath for models in V22 now include an equidistant offset contour toolpath operation that allows you to maintain an equal tool step regardless of surface topology. Also new are automatic Waterline-Z level roughing and finishing toolpath operations as well as new advanced simulation, verification, and DNC technology.

For a free download of the earlier Version 21 and to learn more, click here.