Thursday, June 26, 2014

Ion Beam Applications SA Selects Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE

http://www.3ds.com
VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France, Jun 26, 2014 - Dassault Systems, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announced that Ion Beam Applications SA (IBA), the leading medical device manufacturer and pioneer in proton beam therapy for cancer treatment, selected the 3DEXPERIENCE platform based on V6 architecture, and its "Licensed to Cure for Medical Device" industry solution experience. With "Licensed to Cure for Medical Device", IBA will support the development processes of its medical accelerator solutions.

The changing medical needs of a growing world population, along with advances in medical research, place extreme challenges on medical device manufacturers to accelerate development of innovative and safe equipment that comply with stringent national and international regulations. IBA wanted to transition from a labor-intensive engineered-to-order approach to a standardized collaborative development approach that results in an extensive series of production-ready machines that fit a variety of complex customers' demands.

Thanks to "Licensed to Cure for Medical Device," IBA's global teams get a centralized access to the most up to date design, regulatory and quality information, ensuring regulatory compliance. Users spend little time looking for product data when they need to respond to a regulatory body's request for information. IBA has full traceability and can tightly secure its corporate intellectual property. This helps maintain its competitive edge against other medical device companies.

"With 'Licensed to Cure for Medical Device' we will have a single unifying development framework in which we can capitalize all our data, processes and methodologies for future reuse, and from there improve the productivity of all downstream processes." said Thomas Canon, PLM Program Manager at IBA.

"Medical device manufacturers have a dual responsibility: to patients for innovative therapeutic solutions, and to regulatory bodies that must ensure that their equipment abides by stringent safety and quality protocols," said Monica Menghini, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Industry and Marketing, Dassault Systems. "The integrated 'Licensed to Cure for Medical Device' industry solution experience gives the Life Science Industry a competitive means to provide a faster reply to operators’ needs and, ultimately, faster accessibility to therapies for the patients."

For more information on Dassault Systems' industry solution experiences for the life sciences industry, visit Life Sciences section.

About Dassault Systems

Dassault Systems, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systems' collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 190,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. 

For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

COMSOL Adds Online Resource to Website for Mechanical Engineers

www.comsol.com
BURLINGTON, MA, Jun 22, 2014 - A new online resource for mechanical engineers is now available on the COMSOL website. The Analyzing Mechanical Systems & Designs showcase is a comprehensive online resource featuring content about applications, physics, and industries pertaining to the modeling of mechanical designs. 

Using the resource, engineers from all disciplines can gain insight into applications that include mechanical effects and that require multiphysics simulation for their successful design. Explore information about modeling thermal stress and deformation, acoustics, multibody dynamics, nonlinear materials, and much more at: www.comsol.com/showcase/mechanical.

www.comsol.com/showcase/mechanical
(click to see)
 
Modeling Mechanical Systems with Real-World Accuracy

The COMSOL Multiphysics software allows for a unified simulation that couples physics phenomena in a way that accurately replicates their interactions in the real world. The mechanical showcase was created as a resource to demonstrate the powerful modeling capabilities of COMSOL Multiphysics for simulating the physics involved in mechanical systems, depicting how mechanical phenomena can be accurately captured and analyzed. It contains rich content including videos, case studies, presentations, and example models that illustrate how a physical prototype or design idea can most accurately be represented using finite element analysis. First-hand accounts from world-renowned companies detail how multiphysics modeling has helped improve device design, shortened time to market, and allowed for innovative concepts to be quickly explored.

About COMSOL

COMSOL provides simulation software for product design and research to technical enterprises, research labs, and universities through 20 offices and a distributor network throughout the world. Its flagship product, COMSOL Multiphysics®, is a software environment for modeling and simulating any physics-based system. A particular strength is its ability to account for coupled or multiphysics phenomena. Add-on products expand the simulation platform for electrical, mechanical, fluid flow, and chemical applications. Interfacing tools enable the integration of COMSOL Multiphysics simulation with all major technical computing and CAD tools on the CAE market. For more information, visit http://www.comsol.com.

Open Design Alliance Promotes Neil Peterson to President

http://www.opendesign.com
PHOENIX, AZ, Jun 22, 2014 - Open Design Alliance (ODA) announced that Neil Peterson, formerly chief technical officer, was appointed president of the ODA on the retirement of Arnold van der Weide.

"Arnold is retiring after 7 years of distinguished service," said Neil Peterson. "Under his seasoned leadership ODA has seen a strong and steady growth in membership, as well as significant improvements in the quality and scope of our software."

"I leave the ODA in extremely capable hands," commented Arnold van der Weide. "Since becoming CTO in 2007 Neil has built the ODA development team into a modern, stable, highly focused unit that efficiently serves the needs of the industry."

Peterson was responsible for modernizing the ODA's infrastructure and establishing automated quality systems. He also doubled the size of the development team and streamlined internal operations through an Agile development process.

"Our infrastructure and process improvements have made us more efficient, allowing us to expand our development into mobile and cloud services," affirmed Peterson. "I see a bright future for the ODA. I'm pleased to be stepping into this new role, and I'm looking forward to building upon our recent success."

For more information, visit http://www.opendesign.com.

Open Design Alliance Releases Teigha 4.0

http://www.opendesign.com
PHOENIX, AZ, Jun 22, 2014 - Open Design Alliance (ODA) announced the release of version 4.0 of Teigha, its software development platform for engineering applications.

Version 4.0 contains the alpha release of Teigha Cloud, ODA's new framework for cloud-based rendering of .dwg and .dgn files. Teigha Cloud allows ODA members to take full advantage of cloud-based computing resources and give their customers easy access to extensive information and powerful processing from small, inexpensive mobile devices with limited storage capacity.

By providing ODA members with a strong foundation for building cloud-based apps, Teigha Cloud minimizes time-consuming development. Crucially, it also gives members the freedom to deploy the applications they develop as they choose. With Teigha Cloud there is no obligation to buy into a specific hosting service and no risk of a third party locking up stored data.

"ODA's cloud strategy differs from most other companies in that our goals are openness and flexibility," said Neil Peterson, CTO of the ODA. "We are giving our members complete control so they can, for example, host applications themselves or deploy them on partner or customer sites."

Using Teigha Cloud, drawing files are stored on a remote server and can be accessed by a lightweight client within any WebGL-compatible browser. Standard rendering functions include zoom, pan, 3D rotation, visual styles, selection and layer control.

Teigha 4.0 also contains enhanced support for mobile platforms, including Java support for Android and improvements to Android and iOS rendering.

"Cloud technology is a key focus for us, but it's not a panacea," continues Peterson. "Native apps are the preferred choice for many situations, and Teigha fully supports native development on iOS and Android. Our aim is to provide choice for our members, and allow them to pick the right technology to meet their needs."

In addition Teigha 4.0 contains fixes for more than 400 member-reported issues. Teigha version 4.0 is available for download by ODA members at www.opendesign.com. A demo version of Teigha Cloud is available on the ODA member portal.

ZWSOFT Releases ZWCAD Architecture 2014 SP2

http://www.zwsoft.com
GUANGZHOU, China, Jun 22, 2014 - ZWSOFT, a leading supplier of CAD solutions for the global MCAD and AEC industries, has released ZWCAD Architecture 2014 SP2, an update to its Top Builder Award winning CAD software featuring many exciting improvements. From more efficient menu organization to improved unit settings, the update also includes many other bug fixes.

Unit Settings

With the ZWCAD Architecture 2014 SP2 update, users can now choose which unit they would like their drawings to be based upon. Whereas previously users were only able to annotate their entities in millimeters, they can now choose between meters, centimeters, inches and feet. This allows users to personalize designs even further to their own needs, whatever units of measurement they prefer, removing the need to convert measurements manually.


Simplified Menu Layout

Since efficiency and simplicity is a vital factor in speeding up the design process, the new screen menus in ZWCAD Architecture 2014 SP2 have been specifically designed to improve speed of selection, while promoting the most used functions and reducing the number of clicks needed to access them. The stress and intricacy involved in complex architectural design means that small areas of relief, such as an efficiently organized screen menu, can make a huge difference to motivations, as well as speed of the design process.


Further Updates

Beyond these two primary updates, other additions have been made that make improvements to ZWCAD+ Architecture 2014. Users can now use grid editing to adjust the thickness of walls, while they can also define the scale limit value for a detailed drawing with far greater ease. These minor adjustments to commonly used features make a significant difference to the entire design process. Beyond these features, the French version of ZWCAD+ Architecture 2014 SP2 features an extra ribbon tab and palette, in order to make the user interface more efficient and simple.

This update to the award winning ZWCAD+ Architecture 2014 brings with it crucial bug fixes as well as new tools and improved features in a package that will improve the efficiency of the design process, while also increasing the quality of output. To try it out, click here.

About ZWSOFT

ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd., is an international CAD software provider through its network of over 150 partners in 80+ countries and regions. The flagship products of ZWSOFT include ZWCAD+, the CAD solution developed by its wholly owned subsidiary company, ZWCAD DESIGN, and ZW3D CAD/CAM software.

For more information, visit http://www.zwsoft.com.

Delcam Adds Design, Machining Tips on YouTube

http://www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Jun 22, 2014 - Delcam has posted a series of videos on YouTube showing tips for users of its PowerSHAPE CAD software and its PowerMILL and FeatureCAM CAM systems. These latest additions bring the total number of videos to over 1,200 on Delcam's Advanced Manufacturing Solutions channel on YouTube.


The PowerSHAPE playlist of tips comprises five videos. These cover the use of the Solid Doctor and PowerSHAPE’s trim-region editing tools for data repair, an introduction to the use of the Smart Surfacer for surface creation, plus examples of creating a blend between three surfaces and of separating the internal and external surfaces in a solid model. To see the playlist, click here

The playlist for PowerMILL includes five videos demonstrating a variety of machining methods for items including cavities, open pockets, side walls and upstands. A sixth video shows how to apply parameters from one toolpath to other toolpaths. For PowerMILL playlist, click here.

10 videos make up the FeatureCAM playlist. These include two examples of the use of Delcam’s award-winning area-clearance strategy, Vortex, one in a milling example and one in a turn-mill project. Other demonstrations show how to use stock models in 2.5D machining, a comparison of automatic and interactive feature recognition, selection of features by colour or type, parametric surface machining and programming from 2D DXF data. For full FeatureCAM playlist, click here.

Delcam's Marketing Manager, Peter Dickin, explained that the demonstrations were originally part of the material presented at the company's UK Technical Update Days, which are held each year at locations around the country. "We thought that the videos would be helpful both to our UK customers who were unable to attend the meetings and to our international customers," he said. "If they prove popular, we will look into adding more material after this year’s series of events in October.”

For more information about Delcam and its products, visit http://www.delcam.com.

Jonathan Pickup Writes 3D Modeling with Vectorworks 6th Edition

www.vectorworks.net
COLUMBIA, MD, Jun 22, 2014 - Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., a provider of intuitive, powerful and practical 2D/3D and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solutions, announces the release of the "3D Modeling with Vectorworks, Sixth Edition," training manual by author and expert Vectorworks trainer Jonathan Pickup.

"This manual covers one of the best capabilities of Vectorworks software, creating 3D models," Pickup said. "It is really fun and rewarding to create the forms you want and be able to move around them to view your work from different angles."

Through a combination of written step-by-step instruction, informational videos and practical tutorials, Pickup educates readers on new techniques for creating complex 3D models with Vectorworks 2014 software. He opens the manual with an overview of basic commands and tool functions and continues on to the completion of a practice project, making this guide essential for all professionals interested in expanding their 3D modeling capabilities. Once Vectorworks users learn to draw with objects rather than lines and place those objects on working planes, they can produce advanced models using simple tools.

U.S. customers can order the manual online at www.vectorworks.net/3d-modeling-in-vectorworks. For sales outside the U.S., Vectorworks software users can contact their local distributors at www.vectorworks.net/international.

About Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.

Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is the developer of Vectorworks software, a line of industry-specific CAD and BIM solutions that allow designers to easily capture, develop and communicate their ideas with accuracy and efficiency. With more than half a million users around the world, Vectorworks software is a global leader in 3D design technologies for the AEC, landscape and entertainment industries. Nemetschek Vectorworks was founded in 1985 and has been a part of The Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2000. For more information, visit www.vectorworks.net.

About Jonathan Pickup


Jonathan Pickup is an architect trained in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom with more than 25 years of experience. He received his bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He later spent more than eight years in England, where he learned to use several CAD packages, including MiniCad, and began teaching this forerunner of Vectorworks software. Upon returning to New Zealand in 1997, he established Archoncad, a Vectorworks training and consulting company. He has written several Vectorworks training manuals for architects, landscape architects, educators and design students. He also organizes the New Zealand Vectorworks User Group and provides its main direction. For more information, visit www.archoncad.com.

Luxion KeyShot Integrates with Siemens NX

http://www.luxion.com/IRVINE, CA, Jun 22, 2014 - Luxion, makers of KeyShot and the leading developer of advanced rendering and lighting technology, is pleased to announce, from this year's Siemens PLM Connection Conference, KeyShot integration for the users of the Siemens NX software. KeyShot integration with NX is a plugin that provides direct transfer of NX models to KeyShot and includes LiveLinking to capture updates in geometry.

KeyShot integration with Siemens' NX to bring a streamlined workflow to create amazing 3D visuals

Luxion continues to expand the integration of 3D modeling and surfacing software with KeyShot, building on the widest support of 3D file formats across any 3D rendering and animation software. Users of Siemens NX now have the option to import their models into KeyShot from NX with the transfer of all assembly structure, color information and camera views. A streamlined workflow is maintained across the interfaces with the option to send any model changes made to the NX model directly to KeyShot through Luxion's LiveLinking technology, without the need to re-apply materials or redo animations.

With KeyShot 5, NX users also gain the option of importing their models as NURBS geometry for smoother curves and edges and the automatic instancing of patterned components - features that allow NX users to go from modeling to creating photorealistic 3D renderings, animations and interactive visuals with more speed and flexibility than ever before.

"We are strongly focused on bringing KeyShot to more 3D professionals", said Claus Wann Jensen, CEO and Co-founder at Luxion. "With KeyShot integration with NX, NX users gain the integration they desire with more flexibility in creating visuals for the product development process, from concept through marketing. We see it happening already and are proud to be working closely with our customers to bring the next level of seamless integration between platforms."

Pricing & Availability

KeyShot integration with NX will first be available to NX users Q3 of 2014 on the KeyShot website and through certified KeyShot and Siemens PLM resellers. For information on KeyShot and simplifying the 3D rendering workflow, visit keyshot.com/integration/.

About Luxion

Luxion is a leading developer of advanced 3D rendering and lighting technology. KeyShot is the first real-time ray tracing application that uses a physically correct render engine based on scientific research in the areas of scientifically accurate material representation and global illumination. Addressing the visualization needs of designers, engineers, marketing professionals, photographers and CG specialists, KeyShot breaks down the complexity of creating photographic images and animations from 3D digital data. Luxion's customer list includes many of the Fortune 1000 product manufacturers and major industrial design companies including Bose, Chrysler, Dell, Fossil, HP, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Procter & Gamble, and IDEO. 

For more information, visit www.keyshot.com.

Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE R2014x Update 3 Program Directory Available

http://www.3ds.com
Jun 22, 2014 - Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE R2014x Update 3 program directory is now available online.

Note: *DS Passport (Sign up) required!

BNP Paribas Securities Services Selects Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE

http://www.3ds.com
VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY‎, France, Jun 22, 2014 - Dassault Systems, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, 3D design software and 3D Digital Mock Up, announced that BNP Paribas Securities Services chose the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its "Innovation Factory" industry solution experience to enhance product management and accelerate product development.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will give BNP Paribas Securities Services’ teams access to a dedicated product lifecycle management solution centralizing product development information from conception to launch. This will enable the bank's multi-local teams to share information digitally, ultimately streamlining the bank's product lifecycle management and reducing the time to market of new products.

"We are proud to be the first financial services provider to adopt the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. We see huge benefits in adopting this new approach to product development, which has proved so successful in other industries. It will help our multi-local teams share knowledge efficiently and streamline our processes. We estimate the platform will reduce our time to market by 20 percent, which is significant in our fast changing industry. This will ultimately help us stay ahead of market changes and benefit our clients," said Sebastien Messean, head of Product Lifecycle Management at BNP Paribas Securities Services.

"Financial institutions are searching for end-to-end productivity improvements to better compete in an increasingly complex, global, and regulated business environment. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform delivers that in a disruptive way for the finance industry," said Monica Menghini, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Industry and Marketing, Dassault Systems.

"Innovation Factory leverages over 30 years of industry know-how in data management, collaboration and social intelligence applications. It combines the power of our 3DEXPERIENCE business platform with finance industry best practices, enabling financial institutions to replace many ad hoc, manual methods with automated processes,” said Kevin Pleiter, Vice President, Financial and Business Services Industry, Dassault Systems.

BNP Paribas Securities Services will apply Dassault Systems' proven product lifecycle management and collaborative technologies across all of its business lines, which include Asset and Fund Services, Clearing and Custody Services, Corporate Trust Services, and Market and Financing Services.

For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com/financial-services.

About Dassault Systems

Dassault Systems, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systems' collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 190,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. 

For more information visit http://www.3ds.com.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Autodesk Acquires Stockholm-based Bitsquid Game Engine Creator

www.autodesk.com
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Jun 14, 2014 - Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) has acquired Stockholm-based Bitsquid AB, the creator of the Bitsquid game engine. The acquisition brings to Autodesk expertise in 3D game development and proven technology that will enable Autodesk to supercharge its portfolio of tools for game makers through the development of a new 3D game engine. Multiple game developers have used the modern and flexible Bitsquid engine to create 3D games for next-generation consoles and PCs, and Autodesk will continue to work with many of these companies to develop the new 3D game engine. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"Bitsquid has been a key success factor for Fatshark, as we've been able to produce high quality games with short development times," said Martin Wahlund, CEO, Fatshark. "We are excited to see how Bitsquid evolves now that it is part of Autodesk."

In addition to acquiring the Bitsquid game engine, the acquisition of the Bitsquid team and technology will enable Autodesk to create new tools that push the limits of real-time 3D visualization for architects and designers, many of whom face challenges placing design data into real world contexts. The new technology will also be incorporated into solutions for customers outside of the games industry, including architecture, manufacturing, construction, and film. Autodesk plans to create new types of design exploration tools that allow visualization and contextualization of designs using the same fluid control and immediate feedback that exist today in modern console and PC games.

"Autodesk’s acquisition of Bitsquid will revolutionize real-time exploration of complex data. Imagine being able to walk through and explore any type of design, from buildings to cars, with the same freedom you experience in the open world of a next-generation console game. Game engine technologies will be an increasingly critical part of the workflow, not only for creating games, but also for designing buildings or solving complex urban infrastructure challenges," said Chris Bradshaw, senior vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. "The Bitsquid acquisition brings to Autodesk both the expertise and the technology that will enable us to deliver a groundbreaking new approach to 3D design animation tools, and we welcome the team and community to Autodesk."

Additional information on the new Autodesk 3D game engine, which will complement Autodesk's industry leading games portfolio of middleware tools and 3D animation software including Autodesk Maya LT, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max, will be available later this year.

About Autodesk

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone - from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists - uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information, visit www.autodesk.com.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

EOS NA Integrates Texas-based ALM with Integra

http://www.eos.infoNOVI, MI, Jun 11, 2014 - EOS, the technology and market leader for design-driven industrial 3D printing, announces the integration of Advanced Laser Materials (ALM; Temple, Tex.) and Integra (Round Rock, Tex.) - a strategic development that is already strengthening service and application offerings in response to the continued growth and evolution of their North American customer base.

This decision expands total service capacity in North America for EOS systems and positions service assets closer to customers to provide the high level of service responsiveness needed for industrial manufacturing. Furthermore, the integration offers development support locally in North America, enabling the company to efficiently partner with customers to create customized system, material, and process solutions and quickly bring new manufacturing applications to market.

"Business is growing at a fantastic rate in part because our technology is allowing our customers to shift from prototyping into end-use manufacturing," says Donald Vanelli, newly appointed president and COO of EOS of North America, Inc. "There are laser-sintered components in flight in aircraft as well as FDA-approved implants in the human body, for example. This speaks to why we are broadening our organization in response to the evolving manufacturing needs of our customers in areas such as standardizing and tightly controlling production, assuring material, process, and product quality, and ramping up throughput cost-effectively. Overall, the reorganization promotes the unification of products and prices, simplifying sales and service for our current and future customer base."

While the three organizations have worked together for more than a decade, the reorganization now also consolidates a central management team, drawing on experience from all areas while maintaining their multiple operational locations to offer expertise in existing specialties.

The reorganization was in part orchestrated by Bruce Thornton, former chairman of ALM and newly appointed chairman of EOS of North America, Inc. Thornton, with over 30 years of experience executing strategic growth development for various organizations, will oversee the integration and overall strategy.

Dr. Hans J. Langer, CEO EOS Group, is steering the strategic direction of EOS. With over 500 employees, customers in more than 50 countries and close to 1,500 systems installations worldwide, EOS is focusing on innovation and quality as well as customer orientation. "Globalization is changing us into a company where customer proximity and local value add are critical success factors to best serving our local markets. Integrating all our activities in one North American entity will allow us to better support U.S. customers," says Langer.

EOS is celebrating its 25th anniversary and opened North America operations in 2001. Integra was founded in 2002, and ALM in 2004. EOS provides laser-sintering systems, materials and application consulting for industrial applications, Integra offers highly seasoned field service engineers to the AM industry, and ALM develops and offers a wide range of commodity and engineered materials for AM.

Overall, the alignment creates a single company with years of laser-sintering knowledge from different perspectives. "We’ve worked with each other practically from our inception, and we understand how to unite our talents and experience to offer customers a one-stop shop of everything they need for industrial 3D-printed applications," says Andrew Snow, promoted to senior vice president of EOS of North America, Inc.

Their new field service initiative, now spearheaded by Integra’s Lance Shanklin, vice president of applications and development, and Mike Conner, vice president of service, will speed response time, increase up-time, and provide the highest levels of expertise to customers.

About Advanced Laser Materials, LLC (ALM)

Advanced Laser Materials (ALM) is a Texas-based company that consults, researches, develops, and manufactures engineered and customize materials for use in laser Additive Manufacturing processes. The company maintains in-house analysis and development laboratories, manufactures custom polymer materials, and provides extensive quality control data on its products. For more information visit www.alm-llc.com.

About Integra

Integra has more than a decade of technical experience in Additive Manufacturing. Headquartered in Texas with a nationwide network of employees, the company offers not only service and applications support, but also standard and custom equipment upgrades and training. For more information, visit www.integra-support.com.

About EOS

EOS is the technology and market leader for design-driven, integrated industrial 3D printing solutions, an Additive Manufacturing process. EOS offers a modular solution portfolio including systems, software, materials and material development as well as services (maintenance, training, specific application consulting and support). As an industrial manufacturing process it allows the fast and flexible production of high-end parts based on 3D CAD data at a repeatable industry level of quality. As a disruptive technology it paves the way for a paradigm shift in product design and manufacturing. It accelerates product development, offers freedom of design, optimizes part structures, and enables lattice structures as well as functional integration. As such, it creates significant competitive advantages for its customers. For more information, visit www.eos.info.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

MagiCAD 2014.4 for Revit, AutoCAD Released

http://www.magicad.com/en
TURKU, Finland, Jun 7, 2014 - MagiCAD announces the release of a new version of MagiCAD for Revit and AutoCAD. The new release 2014.4 extends and optimizes MagiCAD's design functions, and improves day-to-day flexibility of design and editing through numerous clever new features. Introducing advanced new device types, as well as extended support for IFC import and export, MagiCAD represents the cutting edge of MEP Building Information Modelling (BIM) and design. 


MagiCAD 2014.4 supports AutoCAD 2015 and Revit 2015, as well as the earlier versions AutoCAD 2010-2014 and Revit 2014.

To view a complete list of new features and to learn more about the new release, click here

For further information visit http://www.magicad.com.

3D Systems Delivers 3D Printed Whale Fossil to Smithsonian Institution

www.3dsystems.comROCK HILL, SC, Jun 7, 2014 - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced that the Smithsonian Institution has installed its first major 3D printed piece for its 3D digitization program: a prehistoric whale fossil that was 3D scanned and printed. 3DS, in collaboration with the Smithsonian, provided its 3D technology for 3D scan processing and printing as part of its ground-breaking multi-year partnership with Smithsonian Institution to showcase 3D printing services and technology at the National Museum of Natural History.

3DS has helped establish Smithsonian X 3D, a website where visitors can follow the 3D printing revolution and experience the new opportunities it presents in manufacturing, research, and education, as well as interact and download free STLs from the collection. The centerpiece of the collection, the Chilean whale fossil shown in this video, measures 20 feet in length, and after being 3D printed was finished and mounted bringing it to museum visitors just as it was discovered in the desert. The complete collection also includes approximately 20 additional artifacts and objects, each 3D printed and ranging in size from about 12 inches in overall length, width, and height to 36 inches in overall dimensions.

"We are honored and excited to be part of this visionary Smithsonian initiative, to increase the visibility and accessibility of our national treasures for all," said Avi Reichental, President and CEO of 3DS. "The Smithsonian has shown both foresight and technological leadership in embracing the potential of 3D printing to preserve and showcase today's and tomorrow's collections, making them readily available to a global audience while demonstrating the power of 3D printing in a compelling and meaningful way."

About 3D Systems

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D printing centric design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced on-demand custom parts for professionals and consumers alike in materials including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. The company also provides integrated 3D scan-based design, freeform modeling and inspection tools and an integrated 3D planning and printing digital thread for personalized surgery and patient specific medical devices. Its products and services replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype or produce functional parts and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future.

For more information, visit www.3DSystems.com.

Alphacam 2014 R2 Released

http://www.verosoftware.com
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK, Jun 7, 2014 - Vero Software announces the release of Alphacam 2014 R2. Major enhancements to 5-axis toolpath functionality, along with the ability to automatically convert 2D design data to a 3D model, are included in the latest release of Alphacam, part of the Vero Software product portfolio. Updates to the Feature Extraction function also bring additional benefits to users.


The Alphacam 2014 R2 update includes several new and enhanced features which continue to demonstrate why Alphacam leads the way in improving productivity and flexibility for manufacturers, increasing their profitability.

Alphacam General Manager Nick Spurrett says: “There are a number of exciting new developments in Alphacam 2014 R2, including the ability to optimise 5-axis toolpaths to a specific machine configuration, and Part Modeler has been enhanced to convert DXF and DWG 2D drawings into 3D models.”

Amongst the new functionality and enhancements:
  • 5-Axis Toolpath Optimiser: Using 2014 R2, operators can optimize 5-axis toolpaths to their specific machine configuration and rotational axis limits. As this is carried out at an operational level, any changes to the toolpath data or machine configuration will be highlighted and the operation can be easily updated and re-optimized. The enhanced tooling Machine Angles are readily available as Element attributes for post processing and also driving the new simulator. The complete operation is analyzed against the user settings, and where required the toolpath will be automatically split into separate sections, with options to maintain Feed Down and Lead In/Out settings on the modified toolpaths.
  • Part Modeler: This now includes the ability to convert an imported DXF or DWG 2D drawing into a 3D model automatically. It works by simply defining the relevant views from a 2D file by using intelligent loop selection or tracing around the profile of the part. Using a combination of correctly oriented profile projections, a 3D solid model can be automatically constructed, ready for manufacture.
  • Feature Extraction: Notable enhancements include a complete redesign of the Automatic Feature Extraction dialog with improved layout, images for each option and context sensitive help. In addition, partial hole extraction is possible by specifying a partial angle range and small hole chamfers can now be extracted with options on the Feature Configuration dialog to set the preferred tool directions for internal and external paths. Finally, all feature extraction commands will extract to the current workplane if possible, and the active user layer.
  • Clamps and Fixtures: Enhancements enable more exact positioning and greater control against collisions as containment and positional geometry can now be set to better position clamps and fixtures against other data. Clamp moves can now be controlled using the new "Can Pop Up" option with improved Post Processor support.
  • Nesting: Alphacam 2014 R2 includes a number of significant enhancements to the nesting capabilities. The three major developments to this are Kit Nesting, where each part in the nest can be assigned a kit number, so that kits of parts can be nested to the same sheet; setting a No Nest Zone to a sheet which will apply to all subsequent sheets; and the New Nesting Special Function (unique to the Vero Group Nester) which prevents nesting into part apertures. This release also includes a new Bridged Nesting option which will analyse the nest to determine the outer Toolpath and bridge the parts together, keeping the tool down in the material whilst all the parts are cut out, thus minimizing on tool lifts and re-positions.
  • BTL Translator: New functionality now allows components to be produced which are suitable for nesting, and includes the option to create a CSV file for all processed nesting parts, which can be loaded directly into CAD to CAM, and Cabinet Door Manufacturing. In addition, there are several new processes, including a Notch/Rabbet, House, House Mortise and Dovetail Tenon, all standard joint and groove processes for the woodworking industry.
To know more about Alphacam 2014 R2, click here.

For more information, visit http://www.verosoftware.com.

CD-adapco Integrates SPEED Electric Machine Design Tool with STAR-CCM+

http://www.cd-adapco.com
NEW YORK, USA and LONDON, UK, Jun 7, 2014 - CD-adapco, the largest privately held CFD-focused provider of Computer Aided Engineering software has integrated SPEED with STAR-CCM+. SPEED is the leading electric machine design tool and STAR-CCM+ a powerful all in one tool that models heat transfer, fluid dynamics, structural stresses, electric and magnetic fields, and aero-acoustics that play important roles in many electric machine applications.


CD-adapco purchased the SPEED electric machine suite of programs in June 2011. SPEED performs a 2D magnetic design using both analytical equations and finite element analysis links (using PC-FEA, a 2D FE solver) for electric motors, generators, alternators, and other magnetic actuators. It also combines electronic drive models with the machine's magnetic design. STAR-CCM+ takes the SPEED simulation results, converts their 2D model into a 3D model and models the machine’s thermal performance under a wide range of environmental conditions. STAR-CCM+ can also be used for the electromagnetic 2D calculations as the GoFER's to PC-FEA will be available for STAR-CCM+ using the 2D magnetic FV solver.

This design process creates a total electric machine solution. For further information about this comprehensive SPEED and STAR-CCM+ package, contact Markus Anders at markus.anders@cd-adapco.com.

About CD-adapco

CD-adapco is the world's largest privately held CFD focused CAE provider. Our core products are the technology-leading simulation packages, STAR-CCM+ and STAR-CD. The scope of our activities, however, extends well beyond CFD software development to encompass a wide range of CAE engineering services in fluid dynamics, heat transfer and structural engineering. Our ongoing mission is to "inspire innovation and reduce costs through the application of engineering simulation software and services."

A privately owned company, CD-adapco has maintained 17% organic year-on-year growth over the last 5 years. CD-adapco employs 750 talented individuals, working at 30 different offices across the globe. For more information, visit http://www.cd-adapco.com.

GRAITEC Acquires MicroCAD UK

http://www.graitec.com
BIEVRES, France, Jun 7, 2014 - GRAITEC, a major software developer and reseller for CAD and structural design solutions for civil engineering and manufacturing has announced a strategic acquisition of Autodesk Gold Reseller MicroCAD (through its UK Subsidiary Adris Ltd.) The addition of MicroCAD to the GRAITEC family stands testimony to the Groups long term commitment and rapid growth strategy.

Adris Ltd, already a highly respected Autodesk Platinum reseller in the UK supplying design software and services continues to grow its UK base, and through this acquisition aims to perpetuate growth by providing sales, support & consulting services across the whole of the UK via five strategic locations ideally placed to offer the best possible service to its customers nationwide.

MicroCAD Ltd is a full service provider for Autodesk products for the Architectural, Construction Engineering and Mechanical industry markets. With nearly 30 years' experience, MicroCAD has the in depth knowledge to develop tailored solutions and then supply, install, support and provide training and consultancy services to help its customers achieve maximum results.

As a growing company MicroCAD is already an Autodesk Gold reseller and from this acquisition all of MicroCAD's customers will benefit from coming under the Adris umbrella of being a Platinum Autodesk reseller offering the very best service and support globally.

Francis Guillemard, CEO and founder of GRAITEC commented, "The acquisition of MicroCAD will benefit all UK customers needing first class expertise and services around Autodesk products. The acquisition contributes further making GRAITEC a leading Autodesk European partner and significantly reinforces the position of the group on the construction engineering and BIM market".

Steve Houlder, Managing Director of Adris Ltd, stated, "The synergies between the two companies will ensure no matter where the customers location they will never be far away from our five strategic locations, and the high level of customer service will allow for continuity of service. By adding MicroCAD, it affirms our position in the UK as one of foremost providers of Autodesk software and consultancy. We look forward to welcoming all customers and staff into the fold".

Neil Wright, Sales Director of MicroCAD comments, "This is great news for all MicroCAD existing staff and customers. The joining of two of the top UK resellers together will provide an even higher level of service and expertise supporting customers large and small across the whole of the United Kingdom".

The combined company will have a turnover in excess of £17M with over 70 staff supporting 1000's of customers across the UK. The companies will continue to trade under their respective brands until the full integration is complete.
 
For more information, visit http://www.graitec.com.

Delcam to Launch PowerMILL 2015 at IMTS

http://www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Jun 7, 2014 - Delcam will launch the 2015 version of its PowerMILL CAM system for high-speed and five-axis machining at IMTS 2014 in Chicago from 8th to 13th September on booth E3222. The new release will include improvements to the Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy, improved collision checking to also cover near misses, and more efficient raster finishing.


The Vortex area-clearance strategy produces safe toolpaths with a much deeper cut by using a controlled engagement angle that maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the whole toolpath. As a result, higher feed rates and material-removal rates are possible, making the cutting time shorter by as much as 70%. In addition, cutting is undertaken at a more consistent volume-removal rate and at a near constant feed-rate, so extending tool life and protecting the machine.

Two enhancements in PowerMILL 2015 will give even greater reductions in machining time compared to conventional roughing. The first change allows toolpaths to approach the part from outside the stock at the cutting height for open pockets or in areas where earlier cuts have made this possible. Previously, all entry moves had to be made by plunging onto the surface or by ramping into the material.

The second change allows an increased feed rate to be set for non-cutting moves. The default value is set at double the rate for the cutting moves but this can be altered as required for each machine tool. The extra time that can be saved depends on the shape of the part but an additional saving of around 20% should be expected above the earlier releases of Vortex.

Another problem in previous versions of PowerMILL was that unnecessary lifts could be added to area-clearance toolpaths when the cutter moved outside the stock or close to its edge. Changes to the roughing algorithm have now reduced the number of lifts per toolpath slice to the minimum needed and so made area clearance much more efficient.

Companies using PowerMILL for either positional or continuous five-axis machining will benefit from improvements to the collision checking within the software. Firstly, collision checking has been changed so that warnings can also be flagged for near misses. The user can now specify a clearance value and when the machine tool comes within this value it will turn yellow in color to highlight a near miss. Collisions will still be shown by a change of color to red.

Secondly, the display showing the list of collisions, and now near misses as well, has been updated to be easier to read, making it simpler to extrapolate the coordinates at these points. For near misses, the clearance distance is shown in the display, with the distance shown as zero for collisions.

Another improvement will help companies using four- or five-axis machines with trunnions or similar tilting tables. Previous PowerMILL toolpaths could exhibit unwanted changes of azimuth as the cutting tool approached a position vertical to the part. This would slow down the machine, often to the extent that a witness mark would be left on the surface. New options are now available to specify the information used by PowerMILL to distribute the toolpath points so that the machine's gimbal-lock position is avoided and a smoother motion results.

Raster finishing has also been improved in PowerMILL 2015, with the software now able to set automatically the most appropriate angle for each region of the part. In previous versions, the user had to select each area and specify the angle manually. The new option, which provides the same functionality that already existed for steep-and-shallow finishing and face milling, is most beneficial when finishing a series of pockets aligned in different directions.

A number of improvements have been made to the PowerMILL interface. Most important is a clearer form for the strategy selector that makes navigation easier when choosing which strategy to use. It has also been made easier to create folders of strategies, for example, those most suitable for a particular machine tool, material or type of part, and to add and remove strategies from those folders.

Finally, three new curve-creation options have been added to the curve editor - ellipse, spiral and helix. These options can be used to create patterns or boundaries when generating toolpaths.
 
For more information about PowerMILL, visit www.powermill.com.

For further information about Delcam and its products, visit http://www.delcam.com.