Products: July 2005
Hardware, Software, Tools, and Utilities
Latest News
June 1, 2005
By DE Editors
Affordable/Fast 3D Printers Fit on Benchtop
Solidscape, Inc. (Merrimack, NH) says that its new T6x BENCHTOP line of 3D
printers is the most affordable alternative to traditional methods of creating high-resolution master patterns for investment casting and silicone rubber molding that it has ever produced. The first two models of the T6x BENCHTOP line, the T66 and the T612, are designed to reside at the workbench or in an office environment. Neither unit requires any facility modifications, and both use nonhazardous materials.
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The primary difference between the T66 and T612 is in their build area and the space required for deployment. The T66 BENCHTOP offers a build area of 15.24 cm 3 15.24 cm 3 15.24 cm, while the T612 BENCHTOP provides a build area of 30.48 cm 3 15.24 cm 3 15.24 cm. The T6x line works with silicone, RTV, epoxy, and other elastomeric molds. The systems can be used to build injection molding tools as well as higher precision models, prototypes, and patterns with layers as thin as 0.0005 inches. Solidscape notes that the T6x line can produce detailed models at up to three times the speed of previous Solidscape systems. Two new materials are also being offered, InduraCast and InduraFill. Price: $39,900 (T66); $49,900 (T612). For complete details, visit solid-scape.com.
The T6x BENCHTOP printers from Solidscape received the most votes in our April 2005 issue. To vote for your favorite product from this month’s Products and Briefings sections, use the ballot at the end of the sections.
ANSYS 10 Upgrades Performance in Fluid-Structure Interaction
ANSYS, Inc. (Canonsburg, PA) has announced that it will be distributing Version 10.0 of its ANSYS software beginning in July. The new release offers major advances in performance, ease-of-use, interoperability, and coupled physics technology, such as fluid structure interaction (FSI). It is completely compatible with the current ANSYS 9.0 software.
Continuing to improve upon its multiphysics technology, ANSYS 10.0 offers superior capabilities for complex FSI problems. Representing a complete FSI solution from a single vendor, it utilizes each of the best-in-class technologies in stress and fluid flow analysis. A single geometry is used for both, with meshing appropriate to the specific physics required.
In the mechanical application area, ANSYS 10.0 includes thermal transients, fully implemented within ANSYS Workbench. To address the broader need for efficient and timely execution of analysis problems of ever-increasing size and complexity, the ANSYS 10.0 parallel solver now supports new choices in both communications technology as well as processors. In addition to Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet.
Other features include a new modal port definition for high-frequency electromagnetics applications, gyroscopic effects that enhance the performance of ANSYS for rotor dynamics application of turbomachinery, and structural-thermal-electric coupling enhancements for direct-coupled field physics.
There are also meshing architecture improvements and more. For more information, visit ansys.com.
Modeling Clay Tool for Rhino ShipsSensAble Technologies, Inc. (Woburn, MA) says ClayTools for Rhino 1.0 lets designers use their sense of touch to create organic shapes and add sculptural details, handcrafted modifications, complex blends, and embossed textures to existing Rhino NURBS models.
Unlike traditional modeling tools, the ClayTools system uses a virtual clay metaphor that removes the constraints of technical modeling, offering speed and creative expression. The system includes the PHANTOM Omni device—a 3D interface with force feedback. Users work fast because they model virtual clay. The system is easy to learn and use.
Designers can create models using their favorite tools in Rhino, and then import their models into the ClayTools system. Imported Rhino models can be used as reference or converted to virtual clay—either in total or selected parts. The PHANTOM Omni device allows designers to smudge, smooth, carve, and tug to add details, blends, and textures that are challenging to achieve with traditional modeling tools. Models can be output to RP and used for casting, or imported back into Rhino to finish the model and export for rendering, RP, or CAD/CAM.
Price: $2,795 (includes ClayTools and PHANTOM Omni device); $1,995 (software only). For more information, visit sensable.com.
GTCO CalComp Announces the ScanPlus IV 436MX Wide-Format Scanner
GTCO CalComp (Columbia, MD) announces the newest addition to its ScanPlus IV family of wide-format scanners, the ScanPlus IV 436MX monochrome scanner. It is said to deliver quality monochrome scanning in an affordable solution to a new range of users. This scanner includes Accuracy Lens Enhancement Technology (ALE), All-Wheel-Drive for smooth handling of large originals, and flexible connectivity with both FireWire and USB 2.0 for ease of installation and use.
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GTCO says that what makes the ScanPlus IV 436MX revolutionary in the wide-format scanner market is that users can now perform quick, easy, and tool-free maintenance of scanner consumable parts. Items such as the platen glass, lamp, and white background plate can be replaced without a service call to the technician and will refresh the scanner to ensure optimal scanning at critical times.
The ScanPlus IV 436MX captures gray tones at 16 bits for maximum image precision. Using an All-Digital camera with advanced point-of-origin image capture and on-board digital conversion ensures minimum noise and an extended dynamic range. The ScanPlus IV 436MX contains advanced technology for monochrome enhancement providing vivid and clean results from even poor quality originals.
Raindrop Geomagic (Research Triangle Park, NC) says that it has implemented new technologies in its Geomagic Studio reverse-engineering software that speed up patch layout and improve surface quality for complex CAD models. Version 8, says the company, has proven to reduce NURBS surfacing time for complex objects such as engine and transmission housings by as much as 80 percent.
The surfacing advancements were developed in conjunction with an automotive manufacturer that has used the technologies in commercial production for more than a year, according to the company. Geomagic Studio is also widely used for the reconstruction of CAD models from scanned physical parts, mass production of individualized medical devices, and in build-to-order manufacturing environments.
New techniques in Geomagic Studio 8 are said to detect contours and regions automatically, which preserves critical fillets and transitions. Geomagic Studio 8 also offers a workflow paradigm conducive for generating functional NURBS surfaces containing fillets and primary surfaces with tight tolerances and smoothness.
Version 8 also offers functionality for feature detection and segmentation; automatic contour detection and extension; patch optimization to help users create accurate surface models for downstream CAD/CAM operations, engineering analysis, product prototyping, and NC machining; and new adaptive surface fitting.
Other new features include constrained global registration using photogrammetry targets, improved noise reduction, new decimation techniques that improve performance and triangle quality, and other general enhancements.
Maximize Fuel Cell Output Levels, Membrane Spacing, and Placement for Optimal Current FlowSensor Products LLC (East Hanover, NJ) has developed the Tactilus electronic pressure mapping sensor system to aid in the R&D and design processes of makers of remote power supplies, motor vehicles, and military and aerospace equipment. Tactilus analysis provides essential pressure distribution information that is needed for material selection and fuel cell manufacturing conditions. It helps companies maintain uniform interfacial spacing between membranes to achieve maximum current flow and fuel usage efficiency in a fuel cell stack assembly.
The system can render detailed displays of pressures of a fuel cell stack assembly in real-time, and can assess the contact pressure across the entire fuel cell surface to ensure maximized voltaic action so the fuel cell’s actual output can achieve levels close to design specifications.
Tactilus profiling sensor systems come equipped with all components necessary to collect data for comprehensive analysis, including embedded matrix-based sensors, controller, and user-friendly software. The system may be used for any application where two surfaces mate, contact, or impact. Tactilus is conformable to curved surfaces and intolerant environments, is portable, and runs on a standard laptop.
The user-friendly, feature-rich software offers 2D and 3D imaging, region-of-interest viewing, longitudinal and latitudinal analysis, graphical displays of data in bar, pressure vs. time, line scan, and more. The data may also be exported to virtually any third-party software. For more information, visit sensorprod.com/tactilus.
ScanSoft PDF Converter Breaks Price Barrier with Unique Features
ScanSoft, Inc. (Peabody, MA) has released ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional 3.0, a new application that brings PDF creation, conversion, editing, and form filling to every desktop, for a $100: $99.99 to be exact.
While graphics professionals and select power users can rationalize the cost and complexity of traditional PDF solutions, ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional 3.0 is designed and priced specifically for every users, goes the company’s pitch. It supports the rich set of features that are required by users, including the ability to create a PDF from any PC application, support for security and encryption, form filling and saving, editing, sticky-notes, and highlighting tools. However, the ScanSoft solution also includes features like FormTyper, which makes any PDF form fillable with a single click, and PDF Converter, which turns existing PDF files into fully formatted Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect documents, as well as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
Some features include fast and secure PDF creation, editable PDF documents, and accurate PDF conversion.
Price: $99.99. Volume discounts and maintenance and support options are available. The products support MS Office 2003, XP, 2000, and 97, on Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, NT and 98.
For more information, visit scansoft.com.
Leica CloudWorx for AVEVA PDMS for Better Plant RetrofitsFollowing up on a strategic collaborative alliance for developing laser scanning solutions, Leica Geosystems (Heerbrugg, Switzerland) and AVEVA (Houston, TX) have jointly announced Leica CloudWorx for AVEVA PDMS.
This new software application integrates with AVEVA’s powerful Plant Design Management System (PDMS) to enable AVEVA customers to take advantage of Leica’s point cloud technology directly. Here, users can easily review, clash, measure, and modify proposed retrofit designs based on accurate geometry of existing conditions as captured by High-Definition Surveying (HDS; a.k.a. laser scanning). The net benefit is better overall project results.
Previously, PDMS users had to apply various import/export tools and data format converters in conjunction with another stand-alone Leica application, Cyclone. The new, integrated solution accesses PDMS directly through AVEVA’s new Laser Model Interface. Leica Geosystems is said to be one of the first companies to take advantage of AVEVA’s new, open interface technology.
Users can take advantage of data captured by versatile time-of-flight (TOF) laser scanners and ultra high-speed phase-based laser scanners, including Leica HDS3000, HDS2500, and HDS4500 laser scanners. Intuitive tools in the new application make it easy for users to access and manage laser scan databases with a convenient ScanWorld manager. Visualizing and selecting specific areas of point cloud data to submit to the PDMS interface is also made easy by handy user-defined limit boxes, cut planes, and cloud slices.
For more information, visit leica.com.
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DE’s editors contribute news and new product announcements to Digital Engineering.
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