Latest News
November 1, 2006
By DE Editors
UGS Embraces 3D Geometric “Shape Search”
Formerly sold as Geolus SHAPE, the application lets manufacturers locate 3D models of digitally defined parts from a database of more than a million parts and locate duplicate or similar geometry in seconds, using geometric data associated with any of the commonly available PLM or CAD programs for its search.
The move paves the way for UGS to build advanced geometry-based search applications that promote innovation through reuse and eliminate the time and expense associated with designing or purchasing duplicate parts. Visit UGS for more information.
SGI (Mountain View, CA) introduced two new entry-level, scalable SGI InfiniteStorage systems to complement its higher-end storage systems.Now shipping, the SGI InfiniteStorage 350 offers RAID performance while the SGI InfiniteStorage 120 is a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) JBOD.
SGI InfiniteStorage 350 and 120 solutions can be used for workgroups or remote offices/remote sites; transactional applications including databases and e-mail; and streaming applications such as video editing.
The SGI InfiniteStorage 350 system is offered at three capacity levels of 8TB, 16TB, and 24TB. While the enclosure is the same size as the previous system, it holds 16 disks instead of 14 and is equipped with500GB SATA drives. The 350 system offers data-intact upgrades to the SGI InfiniteStorage 4000 and 4500 systems.
The 120 system’s 4Gbps interface is reverse-compatible with 1GB and 2GBinfrastructure. While the SGI TP900 had 10 disks, a single InfiniteStorage 120 system houses up to 12 serial-attached SCSI drives in a 2-U enclosure and holds up to 3.6TB of storage. Customers have the option of 73GB drives or 300GB drives.
The SGI InfiniteStorage 120 system, with 3Gbps drive-link rate,replaces the SGI InfiniteStorage TP900 as well as the D-Brick solutions the primary storage for the complete line of SGI Altix servers and clusters, including the new SGI Altix XE systems based on the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series. For details, visit SGI.
A 64-Bit Psyborg Extreme Graphics Workstation with Intel Dual Core Processor by Psychsoftpc (Quincy, MA) is now available with the new64-bit SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 operating system from Novell.
Some new features in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 include application tiling, which provides a snapshot of all open applications;alt tabbing, which now includes thumbnail views of open applications;and 3D desktop, which provides more desktop space.
The Psyborg Extreme Graphics Workstation is designed around the PNYNvidia Quadro FX 4500 video card with 512MB of graphics memory, the Intel D 960 3.6GHz P 4 Dual Core processor, and 4GB of DDR2 RAM running in dual-channel mode.
The Psyborg Extreme Graphics Workstation features Logitech’s Z 5500 5.1Digital Surround Sound Speakers; its G5 Laser Mouse and G15 keyboard;built-in gigabit Ethernet and 802.11g wireless.
For more information, visit Psychsoftpc.
Paradigm to Distribute Seiko’s LP-1010 Teriostar Printer
Paradigm Imaging Group (Costa Mesa, CA), a provider of large-format scanning and document management solutions, is now distributing the Teriostar LP-1010 large-format, LED, high-speed networked printer from Seiko/Infotech (Escondido, CA). The Teriostar printer will be available through the Paradigm reseller channel as both a stand-alone product and bundled with Graphtec (Santa Ana, CA) color scanners and the Paradigm Rocket Scanner Controller.
The Teriostar LP-1010 provides 3.4 C-size prints per minute and 6.2D-size prints per minute. Resolution is 600 dpi, and it can print documents up to three feet in length. Supported network interfaces include 100Base-TX and 10Base-T Ethernet, USB-2, and Centronics.
User features include the ability to choose between two different paper sizes or let the printer select the appropriate paper size for the drawing. Its large display is said to provide excellent visibility and easy operation. The photo cartridge drum is user-replaceable,eliminating service calls.
The Teriostar LP-1010 comes with Windows drivers and the ability to provide full printer control over the network using a standard web browser. For additional information, go to Paradigm Imaging Group.
Enterprise Service Computing PrimerThe newest book from Idea Group (Hershey, PA) Publishing, Enterprise Service Computing: From Concept to Deployment, edited by Professor Robin G. Qiu, is available.
Enterprise service computing has emerged as a new enterprise integration technology and implementation model with potential for addressing enterprise systems integration challenges such as agility,performance, scalability, security, and adaptability.
Enterprise Service Computing: From Concept to Deployment presents the emerging service computing, or service-enabled computing, technologies currently used in integrating enterprise-wide and cross-enterprise applications. The topics covered range from concept development to final deployment, providing both theoretical research results and practical applications.
Price: $94.95 (hardcover, 300 pp); $79.95 (softcover); $63.96 (e-book). Visit the Idea Group for more information.
Dassault Systemes and IBM Offer V5R17 of PLM Portfolio
Dassault Systemes (Paris, France) and IBM (White Plains, NY) recently released Version 5 Release 17 (V5R17) of the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) portfolio. The new version is composed of CATIA for collaborative product development, ENOVIA VPLM, and ENOVIA SmarTeam for collaborative lifecycle management.
Dassault also announced DELMIA V5R17 for virtual production and itsV5R17 PLM sourcing solutions (Collaborative Enterprise Sourcing-CES)for ENOVIA VPLM.
According to a company press release, CATIA V5R17 extends end-to-end industry process coverage through enhancements in 3D electrical harness flattening and the increased efficiency of CATIA Machining NC programming and simulation. There are new styling enhancements as well as a new auto-filleting capability for automotive designers. 3D X(M)L now includes automation support, FEA results, and materials rendering.
V5R17 Collaborative Enterprise Sourcing (CES) combines engineering and sourcing functions in one collaborative desktop environment. It enhances versioning and embeds advanced effectivity and configuration management in VPM Navigator. V5R17 has ad-hoc review and dynamic approval capabilities.
ENOVIA SmarTeam V5R17 adds flexibility to product structure management.V5R17’s CATIA V5 integration and reconciliation optimize design collaboration and OEM-supplier interaction. Enhancements include a newly designed Web user interface as well as enriched support for digital mockup, 3D XML, and security.
DELMIA V5R17 introduces the V5-based Product Process and Resource (PPR)family of products for unified V5 access to the Manufacturing Hub. This allows DELMIA users to navigate and write manufacturing information in the context of the product definition and under lifecycle, effectivity,and configuration control. V5R17 aids in the body-in-white automotive process for OEMs and their suppliers, with concurrent process planning, integrated Gantt charts, and intuitive assembly line resources management. For more details, visit Dassault or IBM.
The PCI-1735U digital I/O and counter card from the eAutomation Group (Cincinnati, OH) of Advantech Co. is a universal PC-bus card with 32TTL-level digital input channels, 32 TTL-level digital output channels,and three programmable counter/timer channels.
To provide output driving capacity, the digital I/O channels use driver/buffer circuits, which require lower input current than regular TTL circuits. The card’s 8254 programmable counter/timer provides three16-bit counter/timer channels. Other features include high-output driving capacity, low-input loading, user-configurable clock source,and a selection of wiring and signal interface boards.
The PCI-1735U is compatible with Advantech’s ISA-bus PCL-720+ in functionality, connectors, and device drivers. Pricing starts at $220.For full details, click here.
Four-Channel Handheld Thermocouple Input Thermometer
The new handheld HH147 from OMEGA (Stamford, CT) is a rugged,easy-to-use thermometer/data logger with four standard miniature connector inputs. It can display four inputs simultaneously and accepts seven types of thermocouples. The integrated data logger stores up to10,000 records.
Other features of the HH147 include readings in Celsius, Fahrenheit,and Kelvin, maximum, minimum, and average hold functions,differential measurement displays of T3-T4, a low-battery indicator, perpetual calendar, and an auto power-off capability.
The HH147 also comes with an RS232 interface cable and Windows software that enables users to display and store data on a computer. According to a company press release, battery life is 1,000 hours.
Price: Starts at $275. For more information, click here.
VISI-Flow Extends CADCAM Series
With its interface designed for entry-level engineers, VISI-Flow, the newest offering from Vero International Software (Wixom, MI), is engineered to handle the sweep of the plastic injection molding process from fill (flow) analysis to cycle-time analysis. It uses FEA technologies to analyze the flow behavior of molten plastic as it enters a mold cavity, and VISI-Flow is said to simulate the behavior of all types of plastics in their filled and unfilled states .Additionally, VISI-Flow’s database helps guide you in the identification of the molding parameters, and it lets you create databases of new plastic materials or blends.
VISI-Flow does not impose limits on the shape, complexity, or size of the molded part, and it can analyze all types of runnerless systems such as hot and insulated nozzles. VISI-Flow also provides options for sequential (cascade) technology and for a family mold where different parts positioned in the same tool are balanced with the programmed opening and closing of valve gates.
The program is comprised of three modules: Filling, Shape, and Thermal. Features include optimum part thickness, thickness refining, gate location, simulation, and optimization of the plastic flow through single or multiple cavities, runners, and cooling circuit layouts .Additional features include the identification of cosmetic issues such as weld lines, air traps, and sink marks with analysis results providing cycle time, clamp tonnage, and shot size.
The Shape module uses holding analysis to optimize the second stage of the injection-molding process and to achieve a balance between part quality, part cost, and cycle time.
According to Vero International, VISI-Flow’s user interface typically can be learned within two to three days. “All that is needed to operate and to interpret ... results,” says the company, “is a basic knowledge of mold design and an understanding of the injection molding process.”
To download a 3MB PDF on VIS-Flow or a PDF on the entire VISI Series of CAD/CAM applications, click here.
The NUMROTO tool-sharpening suite for 3D-tool simulation has been integrated with grinding process animation and collision monitoring.The 3D-tool simulation for NUMROTOplus from NUM Corp. (Teufen,Switzerland) can simulate complex and precision-manufactured tools. To ensure clear identification during operation, each machining step is presented in a different color. The zoom and pivoting functions allow viewing and assessment of small movements and procedures. The exactness of the simulation can be individually set, and the 3D model can be precisely measured.
The simulation shows the material removal and estimates the grinding disc load, enabling optimization of rough grinding. You can also run the simulation forward and backward.
The collision monitoring aspect of NUMROTOplus is a 3D simulation that recognizes kinematics problems based on the machine simulation. The calculation time required for, in this example, a step drill with profile steps and 13 machining steps, amounts to less than three seconds. The exactness of the simulation can be individually set.
All the available elements in the 3D machine model of the machine manufacturer are integrated in the collision evaluation. Additional machine-specific or processing-specific elements such as measuring probes, tailstocks, supports, spacer rings, cooling pipes, and wheel flange nuts can be added.
The software tests for collisions of individual machine elements with each other, any grinding discs with the machine and machine elements,as well as any unengaged grinding discs with the blank. With this option, the grinding process can be simulated without material removal.For details, click here.
Diagnose Valves, Actuators, and Positioners
Flowserve Corp. (Irving, TX) has launched Flowserve ValveAnalysis, a plug-in for Emerson’s (formerly Fisher-Rosemount; Houston, TX) ProcessManagement AMS suite of asset management tools. ValveAnalysis,according to the company, enables AMS users to run diagnostic signatures for Flowserve valves, actuators, and positioners, thereby obtaining vital data that can be used to maximize equipment performance. ValveAnalysis is said to enable users of AMS 6.0 or later to increase the flexibility of their Emerson DCS (distributed control system), assure the interoperability of their Flowserve equipment, and preserve the value of their Flowserve equipment base.
For positioners with actuator pressure management, ValveAnalysis has the Ramp Signature diagnostic test. Ramp Signature tests plot command versus position and compares this data to cylinder pressures. The RampSignature test can be used to identify problems such as leaks in tubing fittings, improperly aligned plugs and seats, loose linkage, broken actuator springs, and sticky spool valves.
The ValveAnalysis HDL test calculates the four standard diagnostic signatures: hysteresis, deadband, repeatability, and linearity.You can capture and save these for future comparison to determine changes in equipment performance over time.
ValveAnalysis integrates with the Flowserve Logix 520si and 3200IQ HART positioners. The company says that unlike similar competing software,ValveAnalysis does not bypass AMS, which ensures that a full device history is maintained. Additionally, the company says that ValveAnalysis “does not unnecessarily duplicate the functionality already found in AMS.”
For full details, click here.
Eurocom (Nepean, ONT) has updated its notebook line with Intel Core 2Duo processors. The new Eurocom systems, from value notebooks and mid-range desktop replacements to lightweight notebooks and high-end mobile workstations, now offer users multimedia, optimized computing,and dual-core performance.
Based on Intel Core microarchitecture, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor family is designed to provide energy-efficient performance so that users can do more at once without slowing down. With Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor, users experience performance, responsiveness, and energy-efficiency with no speed loss for virus scan, running multiple compute-intensive programs, or when downloading multimedia files or programs. The new Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processor provides a mobility upgrade to Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology by offering users twice the multitasking performance while using 28 percent less power plus all the benefits of mobility.
According to Eurocom, the Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile processors offer users the latest in performance-rich technologies, including up to 4MBof shared L2 cache and up to 667MHz Front Side Bus. The new processors enable delivery of more instructions per clock cycle. This results in faster speeds, more energy-efficient performance, smarter battery performance, optimal use of the available data bandwidth, more efficient cache subsystem, and an overall boost for a broad range of applications.
The Eurocom Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based systems are available in the Eurocom M520N Voyage Duo 4.4 pound notebook, the Eurocom M540NVoyage 14-in. notebook, the Eurocom M660N Milano Duo notebook, and the Eurocom M570U Divine mobile workstation. The M570U offers users up to two physical Serial ATA hard drives with RAID 0,1 and upgradeable VGA graphics with Nvidia GeForce Go7900GTX or Nvidia Quadro FX2500M with256MB or 512MB of GDDR3 VRAM.
With up to 4MB L2 shared cache, the Intel Core 2 Duo processors allow Eurocom users to enjoy a greater than 20 percent performance increase when doing processor-intensive tasks like multitasking compared to previous-generation laptops with Intel Core Duo processors. For more information, click here.
BIG Changes for Reverse Engineering
Boulder Innovation Group, Inc. (BIG; Boulder, CO) announced recently that its 3D Creator wireless digitizer for reverse engineering and measuring now interfaces to most major MCAD solutions through HighRES for Rhino reverse engineering software from HighRES, Inc. (La Jolla,CA). When coupled with HighRES for Rhino, 3D Creator, which interfaces with Rhino from McNeel and Associates (Seattle, WA) via a plug-in from BIG, will now work with such applications as Autodesk Inventor,KeyCreator, Pro/E, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, and Unigraphics NX on a plug-and-play basis.
BIG leverages such partnerships with a number of MCAD and CAM developers to enable 3D Creator to adapt to new industries easily. For example, 3D creator is already deployed in such diverse disciplines as precision navigation during surgery, custom instrument design,electronic hardware development, reverse engineering, quality inspection, and metrology.
3D Creator itself is a portable measuring solution that uses infrared light to track the position and orientation of a lightweight, wireless measuring probe to digitize 3D objects in real time. Using cordless or wired hand-held probe, you enter the x,y,z coordinates of the object by tracing surfaces, edges, or individual points such as corners and similar data. You then input this information into your MCAD or CAM program for display and manipulation.
You can deploy 3D Creator in one of two key ways: Coupled with Rhino for measuring an object and surfacing it, or you can use 3D Creator for more traditional reverse engineering applications.
The 3D Creator from BIG is a portable measuring solution. The system includes everything but the computer. Its shipping weight is 53pounds, including a rugged carrying case. AccuCut is part of a bundle from BIG that includes the digitizing hardware and all the necessary software. For more information, go to the Boulder Innovation Group.
FARO Technologies, Inc. (Lake Mary, FL) announced version 4.0 of its 3Dlaser scanning software family, FARO Scene, FARO Scout, FARO Scout LT and FARO Record. FARO’s family of applications let you view,administer, calibrate, filter, and manage 3D point-cloud data collected with the company’s FARO Laser Scanner LS portable measurement machine.
FARO says that V4.0 offers such improvements as a constraint-plane fit for high-accuracy plane positioning and intelligent contrast adjustment to improve point-cloud visualization. Other enhancements include automatic filtering, smoother export of slices, and the ability to export of objects in DXF format.
The FARO Laser Scanner offers a 360-degree path the ability to collect up to 120,000 points per second with 3mm accuracy. Go to FARO Technologies for more.
New Viper Graphics Cards from DiamondDiamond Multimedia (Chatsworth, CA), a manufacturer of PC graphics cards, sound cards, and communications products, has recently added a number of new products to the market, including the new X1950 line.
The company has begun shipping the X1950 CrossFire and X1950XTX in PCI-E models, as well as the X1950PRO available in an AGP version. TheX1950 cards have tested memory speeds of 450MHz faster than the last generation of X1900 cards.
The Viper X1950XTX and the Viper X1950 CrossFire both use the RadeonX1950 GPU, with a 512MB GDDR4 interface using the PCI Express data bus. These cards have a core clock speed of 650MHz and a 2.0GHz memory speed. The X1950AGP model has a 256MB GDDR4 interface, core clock speed of 600MHz, and a 1.4GHz memory speed.
The cards are equipped with Avivo ATI Technology video and display platform, which offers universal connectivity to various digital devices, including home theater systems, LCD monitors, notebooks, and more. The X1950 cards support High Dynamic Range with full postprocessing capabilities, including anti-aliasing. The connectors included are DVI, TV-Out/HDTV and VIVO.
In addition to the X1950 line, Diamond also recently introduced theX1900XT 256MB; X1650PRO, 512MB and 256MB, both PCIE and AGP; and theX1300XT, PCIE, 256MB.
The Viper X1900XT uses the Radeon X1900XT GPU, with a 256MB interface using the PCI Express data bus. The X1950 CrossFire and X1950 XTX each retail at $449. Both the PCIE and AGP versions of the X1650PRO,512MB and 256MB, retail at $229. The X1900XT, 256MB retails at$399, and the X1300XT, PCI-E, 256MB retails at $149.
For more information on the entire line, visit the Diamond Multimedia website.
GeniusMechaniCS 2007 Now Supporting AutoCAD 2007 and Autodesk Inventor
The newest release of GeniusMechaniCS 2007 is available from GeniusMechaniCS Software Technologies GmbH (Pechbrunn/Gro, Germany).
The cornerstone of GeniusMechaniCS product family is the unified database for all three applications: GeniusMechaniCS LT 2007 for AutoCAD LT, GeniusMechaniCS 2007 for AutoCAD, and GeniusMechaniCS 2007for Autodesk Inventor. This enables parametric design in all three applications, which share proprietary knowledge-base driven mechanical object modeling technology.
The standard parts library of DIN, ISO, and GOST is extended and can be edited and completed by the user. GeniusMechaniCS provides a set of productivity tools for power users of mechanical design software working in 2D and 3D environments. The unified database, software architecture, and user interface assure simple transition from 2D to 3DCAD environments and loss-free transfer of project data between all three platforms. It offers enhanced functionality including piping,shaft-generator, and intelligent standard- and manufacturer-part libraries.
GeniusMechaniCS 2007 contains an open API, allowing users to integrate GMCS with modern data, document, or lifecycle management systems;include user-defined engineering calculations; generate custom assemblies and parts from third-party applications; and create parametric parts and assemblies.
For a limited time, fully functional trial versions are available for free download after registration. Click here for more.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Irvine, CA) has introduced the SyncMaster 931C, a 19-in. TFT LCD monitor that features 97 percent of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) color gamut for ColdCathode Fluorescent Lamp displays.
According to Samsung, the monitor provides a color range well beyond the 82 percent rating typical of LCD displays for more vibrant,true-to-life images.
In addition, the SyncMaster 931C offers a 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a 2ms (GTG) response time, 1280 x 1024 resolution, and 250 cd/m2brightness. It also offers a PrintViewer function, which enables the user to have an accurate preview of images for exact color printing.
The monitor is suitable for analysis visualization and graphics design as well as game development. Price: $299.99.
The 931C is PC-compatible, and comes with a black bezel. For more information, click here.
STAR-CAD Series V 4.10
CD-adapco (London, UK) has made available the STAR-CAD Series V4.10,the latest version of its CAD- and PLM-embedded simulation tools that enable engineers and designers to perform CFD calculations from within their preferred CAD environment.
Usability of the products is increased with the introduction of a step-by-step process that guides users through the key stages insetting up and running a simulation. The introduction of a model-checker guarantees the validity and quality of a model prior to simulation and attempts to rectify user omissions.
In recognition of a varied user base, CD-adapco says that occasional users will find that simple default settings are sufficient to produce a sensible simulation, while more advanced users have full control overall aspects of the simulation setup.
For users with shared CAD resource, there is a new offline mode that frees up the CAD license for other users while meshing, solving, and postprocessing.
There is a new automated mesh refinement algorithm as well as new mesh controls, and the new “pack and store” functionality aids in the storage of model files and results. The latest version also features increased physical modeling capabilities, including passive scalars,buoyancy, and volumetric heat sources.
Other enhancements will make it easier to share simulation data with other CFD and CAE engineers. Surface meshes, volume meshes and model inputs can now be directly exported, as can simulation results, either for advanced postprocessing or to provide boundary conditions for an FEA simulation. Results can also be freely shared with non-users and non-specialists, using a lightweight 3D results viewer. For more details, visit CD-adapco.
XVL System Toolkit, a software toolkit that enables batch processes to be applied to XVL 3D data, is available by Lattice Technology (San Francisco, CA).
There are three modules in the toolkit: XVL Processor to manage input and output of property information; XVL Filter to provide automation and batch operations on files; and XVL Reducer to manage features and further reduce the size of XVL files.
XVL Processor brings automation to the process of linking BOM and property information to XVL data. For example, part names used by CAD engineers can be linked to actual part numbers and other attributes generated by ERP systems for use with automated 3D parts catalogs and online service systems.
XVL Reducer can further reduce the size of the XVL data by intelligent reduction of the stored geometry. A typical use would be to remove all internal features of a model, leaving only the outside skin, for use with catalogs and other sales and marketing materials. With this additional feature reduction, Lattice Technology says it is possible to reduce the data size to 99.7 percent of the original size and still maintain an accurate representation.
XVL Filter allows for automatic operation on single and multiple XVL files including detection of differences in files, automatic updating of XVL data on design changes, conversion to new versions of XVL, and programmatic creation of XVL assembly files.
The software is designed for manufacturing corporations and can be used for server-based solutions to process large amounts of 3D data. For more information, visit Lattice Technology.
Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) has announced several new products across systems, storage, and software aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs, while providing increased protection for customer data.
The latest innovations in Sun’s portfolio include Sun Java SystemIdentity Manager 7.0, a suite of identity management products that ease regulatory-compliance concerns by concurrently provisioning user access with access audits. CoolThreads Netra servers with the Solaris 10 OS that provide extreme throughput and energy efficiency in a rack mount or ATCA blade configuration allow OEMs to scale for price and performance with 4, 6, or 8 cores and up to 32 threads. It offers Untargeted Crypto-Ready T10000 tape drive, which reduces the risk of exposing data to unauthorized parties, protecting against both off-site and on-premise data loss and enabling secure shipment of data.
The suite also includes Sun Fire workgroup servers outfitted with the high-performance UltraSPARC IIIi processors, providing a performance boost of nearly 20 percent; the Sun Ultra 25 Workstation, offering a300 percent performance increase and key software pre-installed to aid in the development of new applications; and the Sun Secure ApplicationSwitch N1216 to help increase performance and security of networks and applications.
Sun also announced it is submitting the Solaris 10 operating system(OS) for evaluation for the highest level security certification. The Solaris 10 OS with Solaris Trusted Extensions is in evaluation for the highest globally recognized level of certification: the Common Criteria Certification Labeled Security Protection Profile (LSPP) at Evaluation Assurance Level 4+ (EAL 4+), including 3 Protection Profiles.
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DE’s editors contribute news and new product announcements to Digital Engineering.
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