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SolidWorks News & Events

New software slated to change the workplace

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CAD software vendors have touted product usability for a long time. However, they haven’t really delivered on that promise until recently. There were a few software debuts in 2011 that changed that premise. True user usability could lead to a broader CAD audience and a bigger market share.

The product development team at PTC came up with the idea of a creating single program that does everything versus offering diverse programs with no connectedness. The strategy addresses its customer base and the trend toward solid modeling for the masses. Creo 1.0 is the result of that concept. The software currently has nine applications including Creo Parametric, Direct, Illustrate, Schematics, View MCAD, View ECAD, Sketch, and Layout.

The company focused on a group of traditional user problems and applied a core of technologies against them, specific roles having options for modeling modes with the click of an app. Simplifying a process that has plagued engineers and designers for decades makes using the software and being productive all the difference. The Creo GUI is much cleaner than the Pro/E GUI. According to those who have used the new product, the GUI strategy is most evident in Creo Parametric and Creo Direct. PTC leveraged the best features from CoCreate and made it easier to use. The company added features to Creo Parametric that will make Pro/E seem like ancient technology. Creo proves that a feature can live in a history-based and history-free environment keeping the parametric relation to features within each if needed.

Another 2011 debut was SolidWorks 2012 that also sports new features to help a more diverse audience. The software has improvements in assembly and drawing capabilities, built-in simulation, design costing, routing, image and animation creation, and product data management. Dassault Systemes says SolidWorks 2012 will help automate design functions, change product development processes, and extend support for collaboration and connectivity. This technology could change how the software is marketed and sold. The product helps users streamline design processes by removing traditional steps.

Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2012 and Design Suite 2012 series are available in a range of offerings including web and mobile applications. Thus more users have access to the technology and can stay connected to their work no matter where they are.  In addition, AutoCAD 2012 and Design Suite 201212 are directly connected to the free AutoCAD WS web and mobility application.

With CAD pretty much saturating the engineering and manufacturing arena, CAD vendors are realizing that pumping out a redressed version of what went out the door at the last launch is not going to work much longer. They have to offer tools that appeal to other audiences. We have seen that starting to happen in the retail, hobby, and jewelry industries where non-engineering types are using 3D programs to crank out new products.

PTC
www.ptc.com

Dassault Systemes
www.3ds.com

Autodesk
www.autodesk.com

Recreated USS Missouri

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SolidWorks user Donn McKinney’s dream is to construct a Hollywood-quality fleet of battleships for museums and ports. He is part of a team engaged in producing operational replicas of the Iowa Class Battleships USS Iowa, USS New Jersey, USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin. The goal of the project is tto put these ships on display for education and enjoyment of the general public in various venues.

“Battleships like the Missouri bring waves of emotion to people. Seeing tese floating parts of history conjures memories of sadness, joy, and wonder, “ said McKinney. “My goal is to bring living history to those people and cities who feel connected to these now almost mythical ships.”

Through advancements in SolidWorks software, McKinney has seen his project evolve from an 18-ft wooden ship, to an 18-ft steel ship. More recently, the latest rendition of the project is a 28-ft replica that features the ship’s complete functionality including radar and fully operational scaled weapons. McKinney is also adding a system that will allow presenters to give full military orders to the vessel and receive an immediate response.

“When these ships were first built, they were termed as “the most complicated moving man-made objects on Earth. Indeed, they were and continue to stand as great feats of engineering, said McKinney. “Thanks to SolidWorks, I am creating complex ships with ease and ensuring the replicas are truly authentic by using the state-of-the-art technology.”

He is adamant that any ship can be created using this methodology including the USS Arizona, the French Battleship Richlieu, and the British Battleship HMS Hood among others.

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com

AAC Engineered Systems

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The company focuses on heavy-duty applications and advanced material handling. The company was using a 2D design package and decided to move to a 3D CAD system to gain greater flexibility in designing equipment to meet customer requirements.

AAC’s engineers attended the Chicago Machine Design Show and reviewed every CAD system being demonstrated. They were most impressed with SolidWorks because it is based on mechanical design

According to a company spokesperson, “SolidWorks software has revolutionized our engineering department. Configuration Management enables us to reuse existing designs in creating custom-made equipment. We try out different “what-if” configurations, checking for interferences and fit-on-screen, not on the production floor. Smart Part Technology knows which fasteners go into which holes and puts them there. We can design sheet-metal parts accurately without first machining them, saving time and reducing scrap. Our designers create the models, and SolidWorks makes the drawings, allowing us to conserve technical resources. And, eDrawings helps us market to and communicate with customers.”

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com

20th release of SolidWorks wins kudos

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There are new drawing tools to help create better looking and more accurate images. For example, changed dimensions are automatically highlighted and show previous values to help with revisions. Sequential balloon ordering and magnetic lines automatically help order and position balloons. So you may not have to spend as much time detailing and aligning drawings.

SolidWorks’ Sustainability’s new user interface can be used to more accurately model products with “what-if” scenarios and custom materials. Users can model processes with parameters such as recycled content and duration of use. Access to the latest Sustainability supplemental materials will be instant and continuous as they become available.

The large design review allows instant opening and review of large assemblies or any individual component with walkthroughs, sectioning, and measuring without the need for a high-powered computer or special file preparation. The freeze feature eliminates unwanted feature rebuilds by locking all features above the “freeze” bar. This option can help speed up the design of complex models where rebuilding specific features is not needed. Features can also be unfrozen at any time. There are also new equation capabilities that speed up the calculation process.

Design costing is a tool that automates manufacturing cost calculations for sheet metal and machined parts. Designers can make more informed decisions based on cost throughout the design process and continually model new scenarios for instant up-to-the-minute manufacturing estimates. SolidWorks 2012 offers new sheet metal tools such as precise control of edge flanges, including up-to-vertex end conditions. Designs can be flattened and documented for manufacturing with export to CNC and manufacturing equipment.

SolidWorks Simulation includes enhanced motion optimization that automatically uses motion study results to create sensors and refine complex and time-intensive machine aspects such as motor size, bearing loads, and range of travel. Users can optimize designs quickly as they refine inputs and immediately see changes to restraints or goals.

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM has new support for Office 2010 and an x64 web client. In addition, there are enhancements to 3DVIA Composer including part-to-part shadows, ambient occlusion, and shadows to 2D panels with precise control. A glow effect can also be added to highlight specific areas of interest.

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com

Fly record speeds in the v-44 Albatross

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When Verney Yacht founder Tim Clarke read about the record-setting preparations by the hydrofoil-design trimaran, I’Hydroptere, he knew a technological breakthrough was the key to winning the challenge. He decided to design his own racer. He started to create a single-hull and equip it with two rigid wing-sails. The wing sail has the ability to switch both position and function as the boat tacks becoming either a wing if horizontal to the water or a sail if vertical.

Named the v-44 Albatross, this new concept boat promises 65 knots or greater – 20% faster than the current record. To help translate the conceptual design into a physical reality, Verney’s team used Abaqus FEA software from Simulia, Dassault’s brand for realistic simulation.

Using the software, the team is able to test the boat’s performance virtually. The geometry is created in 3D to analyze the structural strength of components, their response to wind loads, and the craft’s aerodynamic characteristics. Each of the 13-meter long wing sails are comprised of two planks (inner and outer) which are able to freely align to the airflow, like a weathervane. The plank’s structure is intended to mimic the behavior of a tubular spar centered at the axis of rotation, which will have no tendency to rotate under the influence of bending loads. This requirement is essential to preserve the close coupled aerodynamic balance of the wing sails.

For this reason, a different structural approach needed to be taken. Because the wing sail design is unproven in the field, the role of FEA for virtual design and analysis is critical in the success of the project. With the use of Abaqus, Clarke and his team were able to consider many wing sail design variables when moving from the conceptual to preliminary design. Early in the design cycle, the team created some of the key models within Abaqus first and used the extensive functionality within the software’s interaction module to simplify those models. The team also used SolidWorks Premium for additional 3D modeling and product data management. With the complex wing sail structure and function, the team split the analysis into three stages. Each analysis validated the wing sail concept and indicated several design issues. When the design is complete, the v-44 Albatross will be constructed without extensive wind tunnel/tow-tank testing. So the team must ensure they get it right the on the first try.

The Verney team hopes their boat will cover the official 500-meter distance in a scant 16 seconds or less. When it does, the v-44 Albatross will fly above the water with only the keel and rudder breaking the surface.

Verney Yachts

www.verneyyachts.com

Dassault Systemes

www.3ds.com

SolidWorks announces winners of Green Design contest

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SolidWorks officially announces its first grand prize winners and runners up of the Green Chair Design. The contest kicked off on April 22, 2011. Contestants used SolidWorks 3D CAD software to design a low-impact airport terminal chair. Other rules: the designs had to be tested with SolidWorks SustainabilityXpress. The contestants were asked to measure the design’s carbon footprint, air and water impacts, and energy consumption throughout the product’s life cycle.

In addition to sustainability tests, every design had to be analyzed with SolidWorks SimulationXpress to ensure that the chair design could withstand the stresses of everyday use.

Commercial grand prize winner was Russell Donovan of New Zealand. His prize? A four-night stay at the Chaa Creek rainforest eco-resort in Belize in recognition for his “leaf” chair design.

Within the education category, the two grand prize winners were Gerald Libby with his “airfoil” chair and Elias Chavez with his bamboo chair reminiscent of a nature lodge. Both won a trip for two to SolidWorks World in San Diego.

A panel of industry and SolidWorks software experts reviewed every design and entry against judging criteria broken up by sustainability, “green” aesthetics, creativity, and manufacturability.

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com

New, free CadFaster 3D CAD iPAD app

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CadFaster, Inc. released its newest CadFaster application for the Apple iPAD available in the Apple iTunes App Store. (http://bit.ly/pTzM43) The application is ideally-suited for engineering, architecture, construction, mechanical, and plant design firms seeking the fast reading and smooth handling of complex and large CAD data files. CadFaster Collaborate lets you distribute, annotate, and co-view 3D designs in real-time using the fast and efficient 3D visualization technology.

The new product allows anyone to collaborate with 3D models exported to the CadFaster cloud service from Autodesk Revit, Bentley MicroStation, or SolidWorks. An ArchiCAD plug-in will be available in September, 2011. 3D models are highly compressed before they are exported and stored in a cloud database and the application includes a number of demo models to work with.

CadFaster

www.cadfaster.com

CAD for the stars

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The WIYN Observatory is owned and operated by the WIYN Consortium, which consists of the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University, Yale University, and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO). The WIYN Observatory enables frontier astrophysical research through the design of astronomical instrumentation (such as an imager or spectrograph). The primary challenge is developing an instrument that delivers the image quality that the astronomy community requires while meeting the budgetary and schedule constraints of the project. Engineers have to be able to design, analyze, and produce fabrication drawings of the components of the instrument.

The WIYN Consortium chose SolidWorks software as its primary mechanical design software based on its reliability, ease of use, ease of learning, and reasonable price. SolidWorks Simulation was chosen based on its interface with SolidWorks CAD software. Predictable behavior when constraining sketches, three-file architecture, dynamic rotation, easy movement of part files from one assembly to another by dragging and dropping, and dissolving and forming subassemblies were some of the reasons why the consortium chose the products.

Researchers used the software to develop the One Degree Imager (ODI), a wide-field, giga-pixel camera slated for use on the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope located at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Ariz. During the project, designers and engineers shortened the design cycle by approximately 20%, saved up to $300,000 in development costs, and reduced drafting time by nearly 50%.

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com

New U.S. Dassault headquarters designed with Dassault software

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Architects, designers, and other entities used Dassault Systemes software products to design the new Dassault headquarters in Waltham, Mass. They used DraftSight for the initial planning that included the interior floor plans, plumbing, wiring, sprinkler and HVAC diagrams. DraftSight is Dassault’s free 2D CAD product. The cooling equipment on the roof, light fixtures, office furniture, and backup diesel generators were all designed in SolidWorks.

Project architect Sara Ross has been using DraftSight as she tracks and fulfills the strict environmental requirements to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the interior design. The exterior has already earned LEED Gold certification – the highest acknowledgement of “green” status given to buildings that save energy, conserve water, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, recycle materials, and improve indoor air quality 

The first employees are expected to move into the facility in December 2011. However, every employee will soon be able to visit their new offices earlier through an augmented reality campus tour created with Dassault’s 3DVIA software. It can convert DraftSight drawings of the campus into 3D models through with employee avatars can walk.

Besides office space, the 27-acre headquarters features a gourmet cafeteria, fitness center, game rooms, coffee lounges, expansive outdoor courtyard, training classrooms, and a briefing center.

Dassault Systemes

www.3ds.com

SolidWorks to the rescue

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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 Inc. made the rescue possible. The company’s pneumatic bits use wear-resistant carbide and diamond tips on a series of rotating hammers. Center Rock’s percussive hammer bits can tunnel through even the hardest, most abrasive rock, as was the case at the San José Mine in Chile.

Developing its industry-leading technology demands 3D design and simulation tools, according to Rudy Lyon, Center Rock’s senior engineer and product development manager. “Designing an effective percussion rock bit is challenging,” Lyon explained. “You have to visualize how the hammers will function underground, analyze the structural stresses involved, and understand the impact of air flow on cuttings removal. We usually perform these simulations concurrent with the design process, but, at critical times, we conduct simulations and redesign bits during an actual deployment as was the  scenario during the Chilean mine rescue.”

Center Rock also relies on 3D technology to meet its product expansion goals. “Not every bit satisfies every situation,” Lyon added. “There are different sizes of drill holes, several types of drilling rigs, and rock of varying density, hardness, and thickness. To meet the full range of customer demands, we need to design and manufacture an extended line of products.”

To meet its product development objectives, Center Rock uses SolidWorks 3D design and simulation software products, including SolidWorks Professional, SolidWorks Premium design software, SolidWorks Simulation Premium, and SolidWorks Flow Simulation applications for nonlinear structural and CFD analysis. Center Rock chose SolidWorks software because it is easy to use for multidisciplinary engineering and provides an integrated suite of design visualization and simulation solutions.

During the Chilean mine rescue, expanding the 5-½-in. robe hole to 12-in. and then to 28-in. using a Center Rock CR120 hammer and hole opener and then a 28-inch Low Profile multi-hammer, was one of three simultaneous rescue attempts. Most estimates projected that the rescue would take at least four months. Using Center Rock drill bits and drilling rigs from Schramm, Inc., “We believed we could drill the hole faster than that,” Lyon said.

Center Rock’s assertion proved to be right when the rescue team pulled the 33 miners to safety inside a 28-in.-wide escape capsule on October 9, 2010. The Center Rock team knew about the important contribution of SolidWorks Simulation in the redesign of the bit that enabled the miners to return to the surface two months ahead of schedule.

Using SolidWorks Flow Simulation, Center Rock customized the bit to let drill cuttings fall into the mine. “The SolidWorks Flow Simulation studies helped us customize the tool by putting a band around the bit, so that two-thirds or more of the air went down the shaft,” Lyon recalled. “We needed an adequate split of air to let the cuttings fall by gravity, where the trapped miners kept busy clearing about eight dump-truck loads of spoil. SolidWorks Flow Simulation allowed us to reconfigure the tool and reach the miners faster.”

When the drilling slowed because the bit hit a metal rock-bolt support, Center Rock used SolidWorks nonlinear analysis studies to redesign the bit, resolve the snag, and continue drilling. “SolidWorks Simulation Premium helped us tweak the bit by thickening the space between the carbide buttons,” Lyon explained. “We ran the analysis, did the redesign, manufactured the new design, and delivered the bit in just three days. The ease of use and integration of SolidWorks Simulation analysis tools helped the process go much faster and provided reassurance that we had done the best we could.”

SolidWorks solutions also have helped Center Rock develop new products more efficiently. With SolidWorks, the company has quadrupled its product offering while cutting design cycles by 66%.

“Many of our products come in different sizes,” said Lyon. “Using SolidWorks design configurations we can develop product families three times faster, taking advantage of

standardization and design reuse. We also use eDrawings as our standard file format for document control. SolidWorks solutions support high-end engineering and manufacturing and give us the ability to quickly turn on a dime when necessary.”

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com