In the wake of Steve Jobs’ recent passing, many people were heard to ask, “Are there any innovators left?” While someone of Jobs’ influence may only come around once per generation, there is an amazing amount of engineering innovation percolating across the U.S. Maybe the bigger question is: How do we capitalize on the innovators…
Bimba Unveils New Website and Customer Tools
Bimba Manufacturing debuted a new website this month, featuring a refreshed, updated look and improved functionality. The website redesign includes state-of-the-art technical features, reorganized and updated content, and rich multimedia applications for a user-friendly browsing experience. Enhanced CAD drawing functionality and interactivity leads the suite of new features on the website, changing the way users…
Making Model Documentation Easy
By Edited by Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor Reprint Info >> Advances in modeling and design software have led both designers and manufacturers to expect intelligent, reactive drawing environments. Although the latest modeling, visualization, and analysis software automates many manual processes, the 2D documentation process has not always followed suit. Manufacturers and designers developing model documentation…
OpenCL & the Future of Desktop High Performance Computing in CAD
Modern desktop computers have more compute capabilities than ever before. Most of these systems include both a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU), each consisting of multiple computing cores providing tremendous processing power. To date, harnessing the total processing power of a desktop workstation, fully utilizing both the CPU and GPU, has proven…
Slick Portal to Multiple Applications
Autodesk recently announced LaunchPad, a product that provides quick and easy access to workflow based tools and all of the applications that are part of Autodesk’s Product Design Suite software. You can access all the Autodesk Product Design Suite applications via LaunchPad. Some of the automated workflows available in Autodesk’s technology preview include reusing 2D…
Tips for Selecting a 3D CAD System
By Edited by Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor In the discrete manufacturing world between 1/3 and ½ of the CAD systems are 3D. The rest are used for 2D drafting. Although some tasks will always be done more efficiently with 2D CAD, these figures suggest many organizations have yet to employ 3D methods. The good news…
Advanced Thermal Simulations Keep Electronics Cool
By Lateef Uddin, Product Engineer, Drives and Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Waukegan, Ill A key goal in our product development process is to use design and analysis tools to reduce the number of prototypes we must build and test during the concept design phase. These software tools help us determine the best designs for…
OpenCL & the Future of Desktop High Performance Computing in CAD
Modern desktop computers have more compute capabilities than ever before. Most of these systems include both a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU), each consisting of multiple computing cores providing tremendous processing power. To date, harnessing the total processing power of a desktop workstation, fully utilizing both the CPU and GPU, has proven…
CAD Delivers Breadth of Tools
SolidWorks launched its SolidWorks 2012 at a media event in Boston as Hurricane Irene blasted through New England. The newest version of the software boasts more than 200 enhancements. According to the company, 90% of the new features were prioritized by SolidWorks users. Automated design costing integrated with your design can help keep you on…
Clippard Launches Phase II of 3D Product Catalog
Clippard Instrument Laboratory announces the launching of it expanded 3D catalog powered by TraceParts. This new phase includes their extensive electronic and control valve miniature pneumatic lines. Clippard Minimatics are used virtually everywhere for control, interface, sensing, logic and actuation functions. This broad range of applications spans a variety of industries including: machinery, packaging, medical…
Software Combo Helps Design Teams Work Simultaneously
Kliklok-Woodman is a leading designer of food-packaging equipment and has customers in the bakery, snack food, confectionery, and frozen and prepared food industries. The company developed a packaging machine called the CELOX Endloader Cartoner. It sits at the end of a production line and fills cartons with packaged foods and then seals them. Motion Analyzer…
FARO Launches New CAM2 Measure 10 Software
FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: FARO) announces the debut of CAM2 Measure 10, its newest software for the FaroArm, ScanArm and FARO Laser Tracker. This release marks the first time FARO has included features for collecting and analyzing point cloud data as part of their CAM2 line, in addition to other new enhancements like Live Color…
3D CAD to the Rescue
By Edited by Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor Reprint Info >> Software plays critical role in drill bit design that widened escape route for the trapped Chilean minors. As the world watched the rescue of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped 2,000 ft underground for two months, few knew that a redesigned drill from Center Rock…
RTT and Critical Mass Team Up for Van Visualizer Online Configurator Tool
RTT USA, Inc. (RTT) and Critical Mass recently completed an industry first for Nissan Commercial Vehicles – an online configurator tool called the Van Visualizer. The Van Visualizer – a collaborative effort between RTT, Critical Mass, Adrian Steel and Original Wraps – enables Nissan Commercial Vehicle shoppers to design and customize their ideal van with…
Geometric to Showcase Reduction in Programming Time with CAMWorks® 2011 at EMO 2011
Geometric announced that it will showcase its fully automatic CNC programming system, CAMWorks® 2011 (www.camworks.com), at Booth #K16, Hall 25, at EMO Hannover, from September 19 to 24, 2011 at Exhibition Grounds, 30521, Hannover, Germany. CAMWorks 2011 automates the CNC programming process, reduces the programming time by as much as 90 percent, and allows designing…
Design Firm Makes Handy Use of High-tech Tools
Bresslergroup recently designed the next generation of CleanCut, a touchless paper towel holder that can dispense and cut any length of paper towel with the wave of a hand. Bresslergroup redesigned the inventor’s prototype to optimize the appliance for high volume, low cost manufacturing. The design firm used SolidWorks 3D solid modeling software throughout the…
FEA and CAD Tools Tackle Complex Design
Piper Test and Measurement (PT&M) manufactures engine test systems that include their own dynamometers. PT&M was asked to supply a braking system for the flywheel generator that consisted of a hydraulic dynamometer and a water-cooled disc brake. With this braking system, the flywheel can come to a standstill in less than 10 min. The motor-generator…
Building a Better Deck
Take a look beneath the floorboards of the prefabricated residential deck system from SigmaDek Ltd. There is no wood. With an aerospace inspired design, SigmaDek has replaced lumber with an aluminum substructure of die cast and extruded components to reduce lifetime maintenance, simplify fabrication, and increase safety. Extrusions form the ledger board, beams, joists, and…
Demystifying LED Design for Everyday Applications with Concurrent CFD
The Presenters of this On-Demand Webinar discuss how easily you can solve LED’s thermal problems, helping you eliminate critical component temperatures, increase product reliability and ultimately product longevity. You will learn from demonstrations how to optimize your heat sink efficiency, reduce weight and material costs by choosing the right material from a thermal and cost…
Ferrari World Design Contest Winners Announced
Students from Seoul’s Hongik University have won the Ferrari World Design Contest, a competition in which 50 highly prestigious universities across the globe took up Ferrari’s challenge of imagining its cars of the future. The Korean school was chosen ahead of the second-placed IED of Turin in the final with London’s Royal College of Arts…
Taking the Parrot AR. Drone from Virtual to Reality
Controlled from any mobile iOS device, an operator can make the AR.Drone swoop, slice, dodge and duel through the air as if it were a video game that came to life. The Wi-Fi-equipped Drone uses multiple cameras and ultrasound technology to perform stunts, navigate obstacles, battle opponent Drones…the gaming possibilities are endless. But before the…
PTC Launches CREO Simulate
Reprint Info >> New app helps you understand structural and thermal product performance before committing to physical prototyping. The biggest news at the PlanetPTC Live 2011 event was the launch of the first set of Creo applications. Creo, as you might remember, was announced in October 2010 to replace existing Pro/Engineer, CoCreate, and ProductView products.…
CAD Across Continents
As the use of CAD continues to proliferate, companies find more ways to improve product quality and reduce product development cycles. Design That Matters, SoliferPolar, and General Compression are three companies using 3D CAD technology to solve engineering challenges. As product development becomes more global and decentralized, design teams from numerous countries are called upon…
CAD Model Downloads for SplineRail Linear Actuator Systems
Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions offers customers the ability to configure and download CAD models of its newest linear actuator product, the SplineRail. CAD download availability includes both motorized and non-motorized SplineRails and offers the flexibility to modify such features such as linear actuator length, screw resolution, motor step angle, motor voltage, and other design parameters.…
Multiple Products Help Boost Productivity at Axeon
Axeon is Europe’s largest independent lithium-ion battery systems supplier, processing more than 70 million cells per year and supplying volume production of batteries for global markets. The company designs and manufactures large-scale automotive grade battery systems for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The company developed the Battery Management System giving warranted performance that is reliable and safe.…