Products: April 2005

By DE Editors

Multisim 8 Enables Earlier Testing to Cut Circuit Design Time

Multisim 8 from Electronics Workbench (Toronto, ONT; electronicsworkbench.com) saves designers from repetitive capture tasks, speeding up simulations, andfreeing engineers to create, test, and fine-tune designs. According to ElectronicsWorkbench, that means current users will save nearly 50 percent of the time theyspend on running simulations when they upgrade.

The major features of Multisim 8 include virtual instruments from Tektronix (RichardsonTX; tektronix.com) so engineers can validate and optimize circuits during theschematic entry stage of the design process rather than wait for a prototype;a new Dynamic Probes function so a circuit schematic can be annotated in realtime; a function called Simulation Profiles so users can configure, save, andreuse complete SPICE simulation parameter setups to further save time; and more.

Price: $1,995 (to start). Complete design suites from $3,995 to $6,995. Get moreinformation at electronicsworkbench.com.

Multisim 8 from Electronics Workbench received the most votes on our January2005 website ballot. Vote for your favorite product from this month by scrollingto the bottom of this page and choosing from the list of products.

UGS Announces Femap V9

UGS (Plano, TX; ugs.com) says its latest release of Femap, the company’s Windows desktop solution foradvanced finite element analysis (FEA), includes a flexible, streamlined Windowsuser interface based on the latest Microsoft technology; significant increasesin FE modeling performance; continued and strengthened integration with leadingstructural and thermal solvers; and advances in integration to NX Nastran software.

Enhancements in Version 9 include its new and powerful graphical user interface(GUI) to provide streamlined, direct access to all the Femap functionality. Currentusers can continue to work with the “classic” Femap interface or can take advantageof the many new user interface features such as customizable, floating dockabletoolbars, along with 17 standard toolbars; multiple Femap models in the same worksession as well as multiple views per model; the ability to cut and paste fromone model to another; a Model Information Tree, which provides direct access tohigher level entities; and more.

Femap also includes enhanced modeling performance through updates to FE meshingalgorithms including automatic grouping and removal of “sliver surfaces,” andintegrates with widely used digital simulation tools, including the latest versionsof structural and thermal solvers such as NX Nastran, MSC.Nastran, ANSYS, ABAQUS,LS-DYNA, TMG, Sinda-G, TRASYS, and many others. For more information, visit ugs.com.

Collaborative File Conversions Tailored for Design Engineers

Bluebeam Pushbutton Plus from Bluebeam Software (Pasadena, CA; bluebeam.com) takes the fuss out of collaboration and communication for design engineers.Bluebeam automatically reads a Microsoft Office or MCAD file and converts it toa high-quality, scalable, secure, password-protected PDF file. Click another buttonand Bluebeam batch converts files or binds multiple PDFs, MCAD drawings, or Windowsfiles into a booklet. Easy to use, Bluebeam Pushbutton Plus offers virtually nolearning barriers between it and productivity, according to the company.

Pushbutton Plus is optimized for AutoCAD and SolidWorks. Bluebeam Lite workswith Autodesk LT, Inventor, MicroStation, and Unigraphics, and Microsoft Officedocuments. All versions work with Microsoft Office files. Bluebeam works as atoolbar button in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and MS Office, and integrates with documentmanagement and workflow systems seamlessly.

The software automatically reads an MCAD file’s orientation, scale, line weights,merged lines, plot style table, and page size without requiring you to play aroundwith any settings. You can then convert the file into one of seven formats: PDF,TIF, JPG, BMP, PSD, PNG, and PXL. Security options let you limit the ability ofPDF recipients to print, copy text or graphics, or annotate PDF files. After youcreate the file, you can FTP, e-mail, or print it from Bluebeam. For completedetails, and free 30-day trial versions, visit bluebeam.com.

Measurement-Quality DA and USB Plug-and-Play Capability for Less

National Instruments (NI, Austin, TX; ni.com) is offering two new data acquisition (DAQ) devices, the USB-6008 and USB-6009,which are designed to be small and inexpensive enough for operations such as datalogging and environmental monitoring. And, starting at $145, the new devices arealso useful in academic lab settings. Both devices ship with free, ready-to-rundata-logging software that engineers and students can use to take measurementswithin minutes.

The NI USB-6008 and NI USB-6009 DAQ devices deliver multifunction capabilitieswith eight channels of 12- or 14-bit analog input, two analog outputs, 12 digitalI/O lines, and one counter. Both devices draw power from the USB bus, so theydo not require an external power supply to operate. They include removable screwterminals for direct signal connectivity, an onboard voltage reference for poweringexternal devices and sensors, a four-layer board design for reduced noise andimproved accuracy, and overvoltage protection on analog input lines up to ±35V.In addition to ready-to-run data-logging software, each device includes NI-DAQmxBase measurement services driver software for programming the device in LabVIEWor C.

For more information, visit ni.com/daq.

Circular Process Recorder Measures Two Process Variables

The OMEGA CT7300 is an economical, 2-pen circular-process chart recorder fromOmega (Stamford, CT; omega.com) that measures and records up to two process variables from a variety of inputs.Record and optional alarm settings are easily configured for multiple recording.To protect your process, the CT7300 battery backup will continuously record upto 48 hours in the event of power loss.

Price: $725. For more Information, visit omega.com. 

Fanless Computers Are Marking a Breakthrough in MicroComputing

Stealth Computer Corporation (Toronto, ON; stealthcomputer.com), a manufacturer of specialized computers and peripherals, has introduced theLPC-401FS Fanless Little PC. The noise-free computer system fits in the palm ofyour hand and features a robust anodized aluminum chassis just over 2 in. tall.The overall footprint is 10 in. x 6.1 in. x 2.17 in., and it weighs five pounds.

The LPC-401FS was designed without cooling fans; the rugged extruded aluminumchassis acts as a passive heat sink to dissipate internal heat for quiet operation.An Intel Celeron Mobile 1.5GHz CPU provides the processing power to take advantageof most demanding applications. A multitude of I/O connectivity is built-in suchas LAN, serial, parallel, 3-USB, FireWire, video, PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports.There’s a built-in 2.5 in. high-shock hard drive with up to 80GB of storage spacefor archived data. For applications that require extra vibration damping, optionalSolid State Hard Drive or Flash Drives are available. A slim CD-ROM is standardwith optional DVD; CD/RW and DVDRW drives are available. Systems are compatiblewith WIN XP/2000, Linux, and can be preconfigured if desired. The LPC-401FS operatesfrom 12VDC making it ideal for mobile and field deployment.

Price: $795. For moreinformation, visit stealthcomputer.com.

Next Generation Test-Analysis Correlation Toolkit Released

ATA Engineering, Inc. (San Diego, CA; ata-attune.com) is shipping Attune 1.0, a standalone, automated test-analysis correlation andmodel updating software tool. It is said to save time in the generation of test-verifiedanalysis models via a powerful, easy-to-use GUI utility.

Attune, which uses a MATLAB-based toolkit, provides the user with a powerful,efficient method of generating accurate test-verified finite element models. Accordingto ATA, it represents a leap forward in the area of automated correlation andmodel updating by rapidly comparing test and analysis models and automaticallyoptimizing analysis models to correlate closely with test data. Users can correlateanalysis models and test data based on mode shapes, modal frequencies, modal assurancecriteria (MAC), or various other combinations.

Attune provides a valuable set of state-of-the-art optimization routines formodel updating, including Monte Carlo, unconstrained quadratic minimization, andgradient-based and genetic algorithms. In addition, multiple configurations canbe optimized simultaneously to improve accuracy and further reduce correlationtime.

Attune is directly compatible with NX Nastran, MSC.Nastran, ABAQUS, I-deas NX,and MTS I-DEAS Pro Test software as well as universal data sets.

For more information,visit the ATA website at ata-attune.com.

World’s First Interactive Pen Display with Seamless Surface

Wacom Technology Corporation (Vancouver, WA; wacom.com) is now shipping the Cintiq 21UX interactive pen display that allows users towork with a pen directly on a 21.3 in. color-accurate LCD. The Cintiq 21UX offersmore screen area, more pressure sensitivity, more pen control, more resolution,and more comfort.

Many professional graphics software applications are specifically designed tobe used with a Wacom pen. These applications include Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator,Macromedia Flash, Corel Painter, Discreet Combustion, Apple Motion, Alias Maya,SketchBook Pro, and StudioTools.

Price: $2,499. For more information, visit wacom.com.

Take Control of Design, Manufacture, Assembly

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) software from Boothroyd Dewhurst,Inc. (Wakefield, RI; dfma.com) helps engineers and engineering supply chains identify, analyze, and controlthe costs associated with designing, manufacturing, and finishing parts beforeincurring those costs. The newest release, DFMA 2005, expands the software’s cost-managementfunctionality and improves its innovation-support characteristics.

DFMA software comprises complementary Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design forManufacture (DFM) modules, both of which have been upgraded in the 2005 release.It uses a quantitative, multidisciplinary approach to cost assessment, and, witha few steps, quickly generates initial cost estimates at any stage of design.(For an in-depth look at how DFMA software works, see “Need to Cut Costs? CheckYour Design First,” DE, September 2004.)

According to Boothroyd Dewhurst, a pair of new manufacturing processes for designcost estimating, deep drawing, and assembly fabrication aimed at parts consolidation,are particularly noteworthy. It has improved libraries of machine costs for manufacturinghot-forged, powder-metal, and foam-molded parts. It also has new libraries forthe various types of furnaces used in powder metal and hot forging processes.

DFMA 2005 runs under Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. For full details,go to dfma.com.
 

24-bit PC/104 Data Logging with Linux or XP

ABAQUS V6.5 Benefits Add Up to More Power

ABAQUS 6.5, the latest version of the advanced finite element analysis softwaresuite from ABAQUS, Inc. (Providence, RI; abaqus.com) includes new developments in contact, failure and fracture analysis, and inparallel computing performance. This release also marks an advance in integrated,interactive modeling and results visualization with a number of new features inABAQUS/CAE. Across the suite, ABAQUS V6.5 features more than 130 enhancements.

Improvements in accuracy, performance, and robustness in ABAQUS/Standard includenew formulations and stabilization techniques. ABAQUS/Explicit offers improvementsin contact, such as defining initial clearances and controlling initial overclosures.

A new framework for simulating progressive failure allows ABAQUS/Explicit tomodel damage and failure of materials, fasteners, and other connection types basedon relevant criteria. New cohesive elements can model separation between two initiallybonded surfaces. ABAQUS/CAE now provides support for fracture mechanics analyseswith the ability to define cracks and create appropriate meshes.

ABAQUS 6.5, says the company, offers improvements that combine to reduce turnaroundtimes for solving large finite element models. For complete details on ABAQUS6.5, visit the ABAQUS website.  

PDMOffice Adds 8 Million Parts to Framework

PDMOffice (Santa Clara, CA; pdmoffice.com) now offers an online part catalog through a partnership with IMSI (Novato,CA; imsisoft.com) at CADsymbols.com. It’s a new subscription service for PDMOfficeusers to search, view, directly download, and manage components from CADSymbols.commuch like the design data they manage within PDMOffice. Supported data types areAutodesk Inventor, DXF and DWG, SolidWorks, TurboCAD, ACIS, IGES, and others.
IMSI and PDMOffice are offering one-click access to the CADsymbols.com catalogfrom within PDMOffice Design Lifecycle Management Solutions such as Project Desk,Product Center, and others. For an introductory offer, go to pdmoffice.com/symbols.htm.  

Affordable/Fast 3D Printers Fit on Benchtop

Solidscape, Inc. (Merrimack, NH; solid-scape.com) says that its new T6x BENCHTOP line of 3D printers is the most affordable alternativeto traditional methods of creating high-resolution master patterns for investmentcasting and silicone rubber molding that it has ever produced. The first two modelsof the T6x BENCHTOP line, the T66 and the T612, are designed to reside at theworkbench or in an office environment. Neither unit requires any facility modifications,and both use nonhazardous materials.

The primary difference between the T66 and T612 is in their buildarea and the space required for deployment. The T66 BENCHTOP offers abuild area of 15.24 cm x 15.24 cm x 15.24 cm, while the T612 BENCHTOPprovides a build area of 30.48 cm x 15.24 cm x 15.24 cm. The T612’sfootprint is 71.12 cm x 49.53 cm x 49.53 cm. The T66 measures 55.88 cmx 49.53 cm x 49.53 cm.

The T6x line works with silicone, RTV, epoxy, and other elastomeric molds. Thesystems can be used to build injection molding tools as well as higher precisionmodels, prototypes, and patterns with layers as thin as 0.0005 inches. Solidscapenotes that the T6x line can produce detailed models at up to three times the speedof previous Solidscape systems, depending upon part geometry.

Two new materials are also being offered, InduraCast and InduraFill, for usein the T6x systems. According to Solidscape, InduraCast, the model compositionmaterial, boasts a 200% strength increase over Solidscape’s BlueCast material.And an extended-use build substrate called InduraBase, which provides operatorswith cost savings on consumables, reduces system setup time, and further improvesreturn-on-investment. (For more on RP materials, see “Harder, Faster, More Flexible,” April 2005 DE.) Price: $39,900 (T66); $49,900 (T612). Prices are FOB plant and includea 90-day warranty. For complete details, visit solid-scape.com.

3D Tools Publish Complex Data

Lattice3D (Los Altos, CA; lattice3d.com) launched its new suite of 3D Publishing applications that lets manufacturersuse, share, and modify 3D data across the enterprise. The new interoperable applications— Lattice3DEmbed, Lattice3D Composer, and Lattice3D Publisher—enable manufacturers to directlycommunicate complex processes, instructions, and directions using 3D data.

Lattice3D applications leverage the XVL 3D format developed by Lattice Groupthat enables the use of large-scale 3D data in a high-fidelity compressed form.According to the company, XVL typically provides 1/50 to 1/250 (better than 98%)compression in a loss-less format. This means that large 3D graphics files, suchas those created by MCAD solutions, become small enough to handle on ordinaryPCs easily, or sent via e-mail, or used on the Internet without loss of detailor visual fidelity.

Lattice3D Composer and Embed can output to XVL, Microsoft Office document formats,PDF,
HTML, and Lattice3D’s own lightweight 3D document format. Embed enables interactive3D data to be enclosed within 2D document formats, such as Microsoft Word andExcel, as well as in HTML. Users of the resultant files can rotate, zoom, cross-section,and manipulate the 3D data. Composer creates 3D documents with linked and interactive3D data, 2D images, parts lists, assembly structures, and other structured data.Composer documents can include all these data types as well as markup text, fullycross-referenced for collaborative problem-solving, process planning, training,design review, and other communications. Lattice3D Publisher creates lightweight3D web pages using templates and single button clicks. For more information andto view demos, visit lattice3d.com.

COADE Updates PVElite and CodeCalc Software

COADE, Inc. (Houston, TX; coade.com) has released PVElite Version 2005 and CodeCalc Version 2005, updated editionsof the company’s integrated vessel design and stress analysis software. They incorporatethe latest 2004 ASME BPV Code Section VIII, including UHX tubesheets and thinbellows expansion joints, as well as new European standard (EN-13445) and updatedASME material databases. It also includes a new material database editor; an improveduser interface; structural steel databases for Korean, Japanese, British, German,Australian, South African, and Indian standards; wind codes for Australia andEurope; and the Mexican seismic code.

PVElite provides engineers, designers, fabricators, and inspectors with designtools for tall towers, horizontal vessels, “pots and pans,” and individual components.Its graphical modeling capabilities are easy to use and allow for quick data assemblyand vessel analysis. PVElite evaluates the full structure as well as individualcomponents, incorporating the latest pressure vessel codes and standards.

CodeCalc provides for design and analysis of individual pressure vessel and heatexchanger components. In addition to pressure and wall thickness calculations,CodeCalc evaluates loads from supports and attachments. It includes extensivebuilt-in materials and components databases and the latest standards from ASME,TEMA and the UBC.

For more information on the new PVElite and CodeCalc editions, visit coade.com.  

WinSystems’ Wireless Ethernet Module Cuts the Cable

WinSystems (Arlington, TX; winsystems.com) introduces the PPM-Wireless, a PC/104-Plus module, enabling both 802.11b andrapid 802.11g wireless networking capabilities. The technology provides a high-speed,industrial data network based on MiniPCI wireless modules and the Ethernet, usinga TCP/IP protocol stack. This means that standard CAT5 Ethernet cable is replacedby a radio channel, which simplifies installation and configuration issues. Theportable nature of wireless networks lets engineers preconfigure and troubleshootentire networks before installing them at remote locations. Once configured, asystem can be moved from place to place with little or no modification.

The PPM-Wireless is a PC/104-Plus compliant module that measures 90mm 3 96mm.On board are the interface electronics and a MiniPCI connector. A MiniPCI cardhas the same features and functionality as a standard desktop PCI card at aboutone quarter the size. It is shipped with an empty MiniPCI socket so that userscan install their own cards from Intel, Broadcom, Foxconn (Atheros), and othersor an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI card can be installed by WinSystems.

The 2200BG card is a standards-based and Wi-Fi certified wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) solution that allows up to 54 million bits of data to be transferredper second. It is designed to maintain high throughput at longer ranges dependingupon which antenna is used and fully supports today’s security standards suchas Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). It can be upgraded via software downloads forfuture security standards.

Typical indoor range is 100 feet at 54Mbps or 300 feet at 1Mbps, but it is dependentupon which MiniPCI module is used and the systems’ antenna type and placement.

Price: $149 (to start). For more information, visit winsystems.com.

VisiQuest 4 Features Enhanced Performance for Windows Users

AccuSoft Corporation (Northborough, MA; accusoft.com) has released a new, native Windows version of its VisiQuest product for imageand data analysis. VisiQuest 4.0 for Windows combines a unique visual programmingenvironment, including advanced program constructs, faster running workspaces,and an updated user interface with customizable organization, with a large setof industry-standard analysis tools.

Other enhancements include the ability to create and export Active X programsdirectly from the Visual Programming workspace, TWAIN interface support, enhancedvisualization tools, and support for more than 75 file formats (including DICOM).The company also announced additional VisiQuest toolkits will be available formedical image analysis, advanced signal processing, and image acquisition thisspring.

Price: free upgrade for current VisiQuest customers on active Windows maintenanceplans; $1,795 for new customers (to start). Software development environment toolsfor extending functionality are available for an additional $700. Discounted academicresearch licenses and free classroom use for students. For more information andtrial versions, visit accusoft.com.

Mobile Workstation for Creative Professionals

It is powered by the latest Intel Pentium 4 desktop processors as well as theNVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 (the new NVIDIA Quadro FX Go 1400 graphics card will soonbe available). It has up to 3.6GHz processor speed and 200GB of internal storagecapacity.

System features include a user-removable GFX module; dual-channel DDR2 memorysupport; dual hard drives with RAID 0 or 1 support; and more.

For more information, visit alienware.com.  

Delcam Releases New Automated Electrode Design System  Anytime Functional Prototypes from Roland

Roland Advanced Solutions Division (ASD; Lake Forest, CA; rolanddga.com) has introduced the low-cost MDX-40 desktop Subtractive Rapid Prototyping (SRP)system. It was designed to handle a variety of nonproprietary materials with precisionand smooth surface finish, and bring mechanical designers a day closer to anytimefunctional testing.

The MDX-40 can mill a wide range of materials including ABS, delrin, nylon, andtooling board so engineers can create functional prototypes, including those withcomplex snap-fits. Prototypes can then undergo thermal, structural, and otherphysical testing. These materials also create durable, smooth prototypes suitablefor handling by market focus groups.

Features include a fourth rotary axis for unattended two- and four-sided milling,a 12 in. x 12 in. x 4.12 in. work volume, and a 15,000 RPM spindle for fine detailing.It is bundled with MODELA Player 4 software and accepts IGES, DXF, and STL filesfrom most 3D CAD programs. Tool changing is supported with the Automatic ToolChanger and side cutting is automated with the Rotary Axis Unit. Price: $10,995.Visit rolanddga.com for more information.

Tutorial e-Book Contains Step-by-Step Lessons for for IntelliCAD 5 Users; Covers Many Subjects

upFront.eZine Publishing (Abbotsford, BC) recently released Inside IntelliCAD 5,a tutorial e-book for IntelliCAD customers. The 242-page e-bookcontains step-by-step tutorials for learning to use the software.

Inside IntelliCAD 5was written by Ralph Grabowski, and is available in PDF format viae-mail or on a CD. (The free Acrobat Reader is required to view andprint the e-book.) In addition, the e-book is being bundled with theCADopia IntelliCAD 5 Professional and Bricscad 5 Pro software packages.

The e-book includes an introduction to the IntelliCAD userinterface, and covers a number of subjects, including IntelliCAD forAutoCAD users, new features in IntelliCAD 5, step-by-step tutorials forcreating IntelliCAD drawings, useful appendices summarizing commands,system variables, toolbars, and hundreds of time-saver tips. There areillustrations, and it is formatted for standard paper with marginsdesigned for three-hole punching.

Price: $24.20 with electronic delivery; $29.20 on CD, shipping included. For more information, go to upfrontezine.com/ii5.

 Boost Engineering Calculations by Importing Mathcad Worksheets Inside of SolidWorks

MathInWorks from SolidVision(Oxford, MA) is an add-in that integrates Mathsoft’s Mathcad 12engineering calculation software with SolidWorks to provide a simpleuser interface that leverages the SolidWorks PropertyManager page or anAdvanced window for project editing.

Here’s how you use it: After you create a part or assembly file, youinvoke MathInWorks from within SolidWorks to import a Mathcadworksheet. You then add links between the Mathcad variables and theSolidWo