Germany's BESSEY Selects ZW3D

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct 22, 2015 - ZW3D, one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced CAD/CAM solutions for the manufacturing industry, today announced it has been chosen by BESSEY Tool GmbH & Co. KG (BESSEY), a long-established German manufacturer and provider of bright and stainless steels.

With 125 years of innovation and quality, BESSEY is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional hand tools in the fields of clamping and cutting technology. It mainly serves the automotive industry, the mechanical engineering sector and the fastening technology industry in over 100 countries, with product range of 1,600 different clamping and cutting tools.

The Need

Even in purely mechanical hand tools without motor and electronics, the use of software in the design is becoming increasingly important. As a company renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship, Bessey keeps investing in maximizing precision and durability. They needed a 3D CAD/CAM platform to achieve innovations in the manufacturing of tooling and metal shears.

The Solution

With thousands of different clamping and cutting tools, Bessey helps craftsmen and industrial companies to cope with diversified tasks. Approximately 12,000 clamps are produced daily at Bessey. With ZW3D, an integrated design & CNC system distributed in Germany by Encee CAD/CAM systems, BESSEY manage to shorten the product design cycle from days to a few hours.

"We prefer an easy-to-learn program because it can help you to work quickly with the old routine," explains Hans Rösch, Head of R&D Department in BESSEY. As an integrated CAD / CAM system with Windows interface, ZW3D offers easy-handling and intelligent commands that facilitate many work processes. “The ZW3D CAD/CAM is very functional with many easy-to-use and powerful features included.” Adds Rösch.

ZW3D is packed with Solid-surface Hybrid Modeling technology to make all features feasible on both solids & surfaces, helping BESSEY to flexibly design from idea to final product. "Everyone has their own style of working," says Product Developer, Uwe Bastian, "and these personal characteristics are well supported by ZW3D."

Moreover, the embedded file translator benefits BESSEY in improving data interoperability with mainstream 2D & 3D platform. "With ZW3D, it is quick and easy," Bastian says. "In the previously used program, there were very complicated transmission & two much calculation time."

BESSEY is an innovative company, not only in terms of software and virtual product development. The switch to ZW3D has proven itself.

About BESSEY

Founded in 1889 as a bright steel drawing plant in Stuttgart, the south west of Germany, BESSEY has developed into the leading German manufacturer- and trading-independent provider of high quality bright steel and stainless steels with a presence in over 100 countries. "BESSEY. Simply better."

About ZW3D CAD/CAM

ZW3D is cost-effective CAD/CAM software for 3D modeling, mold design, and machining, which takes engineers from concept to finished product in one easy-to-use, single collaborative environment. For more information, visit http://www.zwsoft.com/ZW3D/ or follow ZWSOFT on Facebook.

ODA Announces Teigha PRC Production Release

PHOENIX, AZ, USA, Oct 21, 2015 - Open Design Alliance (ODA) announced the production release of Teigha PRC, a 3D PDF component for Teigha. This component can be used to export a .dwg or .dgn file to PRC-based 3D PDF (Portable Document Format).

The accurate and highly compressible PRC file format is optimized to store, load and display 3D data such as geometry, assembly structures and product manufacturing information. PRC files encapsulated within PDF, an open standard, can be viewed universally which means that detailed 3D designs can be widely communicated.

PRC-based PDF files can be easily archived yet original 3D information will always be accessible for design reuse and revision within CAD, CAD and CAE systems.

“Our members have expressed a strong interest in 3D PDF and the versatility it provides,” comments Neil Petersen, ODA President. “Teigha PRC gives them an additional option for storing and sharing 3D information.”

Teigha PRC is also intended for use as a stand-alone library, providing support for the entire ISO specification for PRC. The component is available to members on the ODA website at http://www.opendesign.com.

Delcam Learning Zone App Available for Android

BIRMINGHAM, UK, Oct 21, 2015 - Following several thousand downloads of its free Learning Zone App for iPads, Delcam has now also made the Learning Zones for its full range of CADCAM software available as a free download for Android devices. To download click here.

The Delcam Learning Zone App comprises tutorials for the latest releases of all Delcam software, including the company’s CAM programs, PowerMILL, FeatureCAM and PartMaker; the PowerSHAPE Pro CAD and reverse engineering software; the PowerINSPECT inspection system and the ArtCAM range of artistic CADCAM programs.

A selection of case study videos from the Delcam.tv website is also included, in which a number of customers talk about their relationship with Delcam and the benefits they get from using the company’s software.

Users with suitable internet connections can stream the videos using the Learning Zone App. Alternatively, the videos can be downloaded and then viewed offline at any time.

The videos can be filtered by product and/or by industry category to help viewers find the content that is relevant to them. In addition, any of the videos can be made a ‘favorite’ so that it is easy for users to go back to their preferred material.

While the Learning Zone App is intended mainly for existing customers, it will also help companies interested in adding Delcam software to see the latest developments in the programs.

New tutorials for new product releases will be added to both version of the Learning Zone App as they are developed to help users make the most of each new version of their Delcam software.

The iOS version for iPad remains available free of charge from the Apple App store, To download, click here. 

3D Systems Appoints Charlie Grace as Chief Revenue Officer

ROCK HILL, SC, USA, Oct  20, 2015 - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced that Charlie Grace has joined the company as Chief Revenue Officer, Professional Products, leading all of the company's professional and production 3D printer related revenue generation activities worldwide. In this role, Grace will spearhead the company's global sales strategy and channel development, with a focus on delivering performance-based partner programs, expanded channel support, and enhanced sales, marketing and training tools. 

 Grace comes to this position with more than 25 years of experience at Xerox and EFI, most recently serving as EFI's Vice President of Americas Sales. In this capacity, Grace presided over a period of sustained, strong revenue growth and the introduction of a multi-channel sales strategy for the company. Grace brings an impressive track record of customer relationship management and channel building leadership with direct sales, reseller partners and OEM channels.

"We are thrilled that a seasoned sales executive of Charlie's caliber is taking the helm of revenue generation activities within our core 3D printing business," said Avi Reichental, President and CEO, 3DS. "Charlie brings with him decades of relevant experience and the proven ability to build and leverage sales operations on a global scale."

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D digital design and fabrication solutions available today, including 3D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. Its powerful ecosystem transforms entire industries by empowering professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life using its vast material selection, including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS' leading personalized medicine capabilities include end-to-end simulation, training and planning, and printing of surgical instruments and devices for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D digital design, fabrication and inspection products provide seamless interoperability and incorporate the latest immersive computing technologies. 3DS' products and services disrupt traditional methods, deliver improved results and empower its customers to manufacture the future now. For more information, visit www.3dsystems.com.

MecSoft Releases CAMJam 2015

IRVINE, CA, USA, Oct 1, 2015 - MecSoft Corporation announces the release of CAMJam 2015, the Video Training Companion for their popular VisualCAM and RhinoCAM Milling modules.

Version 2015 of their CNC Milling module contains new toolpath strategies, new Hole Feature Recognition capability for “push-button” CNC programming as well as numerous interface and productivity enhancements. CAMJam 2015 is the complete unscripted video archive of training sessions conducted by the support staff at MecSoft Corporation.

“CAMJam 2015 is the perfect companion for new and seasoned users alike who want to achieve the maximum shop-floor benefits their software provides. Time is money! All training sessions are organized by content, indexed and searchable so you know exactly which video to watch to get your questions answered. New users will also benefit from the additional uninterrupted full length training sessions included in CAMJam 2015!”

said Don LaCourse, Senior Application Engineer at MecSoft Corporation and one of the principals involved in the creation of this product.

CAMJam 2015 MILL includes:

• Over 80 instructional videos covering the complete 2015 suite of MILL module functionality.
• An additional CAMJam 2015 help platform for the organization and easy retrieval from the video library.
• All of the source part files referenced by the CAMJam 2015 video archive!
• A complete 1,800 page 2015 MILL Reference Guide (in digital PDF format) that you can access anytime, anywhere. Hardcopies of the Reference Guide are also available.

Sample of topics covered:

• The new 2015 MILL User Interface
• Machine Setup, Stock and Geometry considerations for 2½ Axis, 3, 4 and Indexed 5 Axis setups
• EVERY 2, 3, 4 and Indexed 5 Axis machining strategy
• Creating User Defined Form Tools for custom 2½ Axis Profiling operations
• The Post Processor Generator and Setup for 2½ Axis, 3, 4 and 5 Axis milling
• Implementing custom Tool Libraries and Machining Knowledge Bases
• Implementing User-specific defaults databases
• Using 2½, 3 Axis Machining Regions and Control Geometry effectively
• Viewing, Simulating and Editing your toolpaths operations

About MecSoft Corporation

Headquartered in Irvine, California, MecSoft Corporation is a worldwide leader in providing Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software solutions, addressing both Additive and Subtractive manufacturing technologies, for the small to mid-market segments. These solutions include products VisualCAD/CAM/3DPRINT, VisualCAM for SOLIDWORKS, RhinoCAM & Rhino3DPRINT and VisualCAM for Geomagic. These software products deliver powerful, easy-to-use and affordable solutions for users in the custom manufacturing, rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, mold making, aerospace, automotive, tool & die, woodworking, and education industries. For more information, visit www.mecsoft.com or call (949) 654-8163.

Registration Opens for 2016 Vectorworks Design Summit in Chicago

COLUMBIA, MD, USA, Oct 1, 2015 - Professionals and students across the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), landscape and entertainment design disciplines are invited to join a global community of visionaries at the 2016 Vectorworks Design Summit on April 25-27 at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. With keynote presentations by Vectorworks executives and industry leaders, an inside look into Vectorworks software’s future development cycle and networking opportunities with product engineers, power users and third-party partners, attendees will leave Chicago fueled to solve their next design challenge.

“The conference brings together a community of creative minds who rely on Vectorworks design software to conceptualize and transform their ideas into real experiences that can be shared with the world,” says Vectorworks’ Chief Marketing Officer Stewart Rom. “At our 2015 Design Summit, it was exciting to see so many people who share a passion for creative design, exchanging ideas, exploring concepts that give them a competitive edge and truly having a great time together. I know that our 2016 Design Summit will surpass expectations and deliver a meaningful three days.”

The standard registration fee for the event is $499 but is reduced to $199 for early registrants through October 31. Design students and instructors who register before October 31 may also take advantage of early registration discounts, paying $49 rather than the standard $99 rate. Register online to lock in these savings, as well as to book a discounted stay at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, located minutes from many of Chicago’s historic attractions.

Become a Speaker

Designers with fresh ideas are invited to apply to present one-hour educational sessions at the Design Summit. Topics addressing emerging trends, innovative design solutions, award-winning projects, workflow strategies and efficiency gains with Vectorworks software are highly valued. Interested applicants should submit a proposal before the October 31 deadline. Selected speakers will be notified by November 30 and will receive complimentary travel, event registration and hotel accommodations.

Become an Exhibitor

The Vectorworks Design Summit also provides a valuable, free opportunity for companies to showcase their products and services. The event attracts hundreds of professionals in the AEC, landscape and entertainment design industries. The deadline is October 31 and space is limited, so companies should apply now. Selection is based on the company’s relevance to attendees, any existing partnership with Vectorworks and the application date. In addition, companies wishing to sponsor the event should email designsummit@vectorworks.net to learn about available opportunities.

To stay up-to-date about impending speakers, sessions and other conference news, bookmark http://www.vectorworks.net/design-summit and follow #VectorworksDesignSummit.

About Vectorworks, Inc.

Vectorworks, Inc. is a global design software developer serving the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. Since 1985, we have been committed to helping designers capture inspiration, nurture innovation, communicate effectively and bring their visions to life. We’ve developed the best CAD and BIM software for Mac and Windows that puts BIM at the heart of the design process, enabling the flexibility needed for efficient iteration throughout the design life-cycle. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Vectorworks, Inc. is a part of The Nemetschek Group. For more information, visit www.vectorworks.net.

AVEVA Launches Software Development Apprenticeship

CAMBRIDGE, UK, Oct 1, 2015 - AVEVA announced the launch of its new apprenticeship scheme. Starting in October 2015, young people will have the opportunity to begin work as software developers at one of Cambridge’s most successful international software companies. Working with training partner, Firebrand, AVEVA will offer a comprehensive higher education ‘Level 4’ programme, which involves two years job training and carries accreditation from the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

‘We have long been supporters of young people entering industry through our graduate opportunities and internships,’ said Hilary Wright, EVP Human Resources, AVEVA. ‘Not everyone is suited to university education. It is a concern to us that talented potential engineers would miss out on the opportunity of a long and worthwhile career, especially in an area where there is a critical skills shortage. We are delighted that the government has now recognized the need for the software development apprenticeship which gives us the opportunity to offer a highly skilled job role to a young person.’

Skills Minister Nick Boles MP added, ’Businesses are better placed than anyone to train the next generation of workers and will help us deliver 3 million high-quality apprenticeships by 2020. By designing apprenticeships, employers like AVEVA are ensuring that young talented people develop the skills needed to progress up the career ladder and help drive businesses forward.’

AVEVA has offered students and graduates work-placements for a number of years. The current AVEVA graduate program offers up to two years of rotational placements across the business and is endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

About AVEVA 

For almost 50 years, AVEVA software has enabled the creation of some of the world’s most complex power and process plants, vessels and offshore facilities. AVEVA’s Digital Asset approach ensures there is always an accurate digital representation of each physical asset. This allows engineering contractors, owner operators and ship builders to work more safely, more efficiently and with less risk throughout the life cycle of their projects and operations. AVEVA is the proud winner of the Frost and Sullivan 2015 Global Engineering Information Management Solutions Competitive Strategy Innovation and Leadership Award. For further information, visit www.aveva.com.

Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 Released

BIRMINGHAM, UK, Oct 1, 2015 - Delcam has launched the 2016 release of its Delcam for SolidWorks integrated CAM software for SolidWorks. This includes a range of enhancements, in particular more options for the Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy, faster creation of multiple set-ups, more efficient turning and user-interface improvements to make programming even easier and faster.

Delcam for SolidWorks offers Delcam’s proven machining algorithms, which are already used by more than 50,000 customers, fully integrated into the SolidWorks environment. The program looks and behaves like SolidWorks, and offers full associativity so that any changes in the CAD model are reflected automatically in the toolpaths. However, this associativity is more intelligent than that offered in many other integrated CAM systems. Delcam for SolidWorks doesn’t simply modify the existing toolpaths but also reviews the choice of cutting tools and machining strategies, and changes them if necessary.

The 2016 release includes a number of enhancements to the Vortex area-clearance strategy. Vortex gives the fastest safe metal removal from solid carbide tooling, in particular designs that give deeper cuts by using the full flute length as the cutting surface. It produces toolpaths with a controlled engagement angle and so maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the complete roughing cycle, giving faster machining and longer tool life.

The ability has now been added to adjust and fine tune the non-cutting moves of 2.5D and 3D Vortex toolpaths, with options to retract the tool and/or to increase the feedrate. These options can be set individually, or can be combined to achieve an optimum toolpath, with a reduced cycle time.

Other roughing improvements include the ability to take into account any remaining stock on the model during holder collision checking, ensuring that Z-level roughing toolpaths are completely free of tool-holder collisions.

Milling of inside or outside groove features has been upgraded with a number of improvements. These include support for different types of roughing links, wind-fan approach and retract moves for finishing, better gouge checking for plunges and retracts, and tool radius and partline cutter compensation support.

Five-axis swarf machining has been made more flexible with a new option to control the upper and lower Z limits of a simultaneous five-axis swarf toolpath. This is useful if there are limitations on the tool length that can be used or if the step-down needs to be varied for different segments of the toolpath.

In turning, the engage angle can now be set for the lead-in approach move. By controlling the approach move in this way, smoother chip formation and lower cutting forces can be achieved.

Interface improvements include the ability to create additional setups quickly during FeatureRECOGNITION, via a new button in the Feature Wizard. This reduces the overall programming time significantly.

For more information on the Delcam for SolidWorks Learning Zone, www.delcam.tv/dfs2016/lz .