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2D

Electromagnetic design tool provides short route to motor perfection

February 1, 2012 By Laura Carrabine 2 Comments

Cobham’s Machines Environment introduced a new level of user friendliness when it was launched by providing a design entry system that allows precision FEA models of motors and generators to be created and solved in minutes. The 2D version of the software has now been integrated with Cobham’s optimization tool which automatically finds the optimal solution within a design space – even for multiple or competing design objectives.

The software is an application-specific extension to the Opera electromagnetic simulation package. It provides a front-end to the simulator that speeds design entry by means of Wizard-style dialog boxes. Users select the style of motor or generator they want to design from a library of all common types, including induction, brushless permanent magnet and switched reluctance motors, and synchronous motors or generators. Then, dialog boxes allow you to enter parameters to define mechanical geometry, material properties and electrical data, and the FEA model is automatically created.

The use of parameterized models and the ability to load and modify previous designs have made it possible for users to perform ‘what-if?’ design investigations. Cobham has integrated a unique optimization tool that makes it simple for users to find the best solution across the design space. While auto-optimization tools are not new, they usually require manual intervention if the globally optimal solution is to be found, and the simulation times involved often make this impractical. The Optimizer selects and manages multiple goal-seeking algorithms including stochastic, descent, particle swarm, and Kriging to eliminate the need for manual intervention.

Setting up an Optimizer run from the Machines Environment is easier. Because most FEA simulations can take as little as a few seconds, the integrated software makes it possible to thoroughly explore the design space. Thousands of simulations can typically be executed within hours, making the perfect solution achievable for all users – without expert assistance.

 The 2D Machines Environment has an extensive library of rotating machine design styles and design components. However, if there are still any unusual features that need to be incorporated in designs, users also have open access to the scripts that generate the models, and can modify them at will to automate proprietary motor and generator design concepts. A library of common material properties is also included in the design software. Again, if users employ any special materials, such as an unusual grade of steel for laminations, then a new menu item can be created. Cobham will also generate custom scripts for users on request. A 3D version of the Machines Environment is available.

Cobham Technical Services

www.cobham.com/technicalservices

 

Filed Under: 3D CAD Package Tips, CAD Industry News, CAD Package, Simulation Software Tagged With: 2D, 3D, Cobham Technical Services, FEA, Machines Environment, Opera, Optimizer

Guitar maker speeds design process

January 19, 2012 By Laura Carrabine Leave a Comment

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a leading manufacturer of stringed instruments, including electric, acoustic, and bass guitars as well as guitar amplifiers. While the company handcrafted guitars and used 2D AutoCAD design tools for many years, the 2002 acquisition of the JACKSON guitar brand brought more complex geometry challenges that required 3D design technology to drive manufacturing.

Fender chose SolidWorks CAD software – first deployed on the JACKSON and FENDER STRATOCASTER lines and now used companywide – because it is easy to use, includes advanced surfacing capabilities, and integrates well with CAM applications. By deploying SolidWorks, Fender cut production time by 20% across the board, reduced the time required to shape guitar necks by 30%, eliminated many secondary operations, and increased production throughput with improved tooling.

 

SolidWorks

www.solidworks.com

Filed Under: 3D CAD Package Tips, CAD Blogs, CAD Package, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Blogs, SolidWorks News & Events Tagged With: 2D, 3D CAD, AutoCAD, Fender Guitar, SolidWorks

Printer shifts from 2D to 3D

December 22, 2011 By Laura Carrabine Leave a Comment

Voith Paper decided to improve its design process across its centers of competencies around the world. Each center specializes in particular parts of a paper machine: due to its massive size and complexity, a finished machine requires design input from several design centers. Voith knew that speeding up its design and manufacturing processes would mean aligning its dispersed design teams.

Moving its designers onto a standard platform worldwide meant integrating the Autodesk manufacturing technology with other key enterprise systems. As a result, Voith has synchronized its design teams and achieved new heights in speed and efficiency levels. “By integrating our 3D models into our SAP ERP system, we can make design changes more quickly. Every engineer has access to the same information, said Voith’s Olaf Spitzer. “This allows us to respond to our customers’ needs faster.”

Frederich Spitzer, PDM Support Manager, IT Solutions for Voith, “We are organized into centers of competencies, so every location with manufacturing capabilities has competencies for a certain product in the finished machine. By installing a common Inventor SAP ERP system with help from Autodesk Consulting, we bring all the information that is generated by these different locations together in one system.”

Voith is also gaining efficiencies associated with the enterprise parts management system built by Cadenas GmbH. The PART system reduces design time by providing access to components and assemblies. Design and development engineers are able to see relevant part information such as price, delivery time, and release status in one user interface.

With a common database, Voith’s design team now uses the same items with the same information. By streamlining parts numbers, Voith facilitates procurement, inventory, and maintenance.

Today, Voith is creating more accurate designs faster. Each machine is designed by several of Voith’s centers of competencies and then assembled at the customer site. Since adopting Inventor, Voith has reduced assembly problems.

“By integrating Inventor with our ERP system, we can respond quicker to our customer needs,” said Olaf Spitzer. “We are able to show them designs before we build a machine. For one project in China, a company ordered parts of a paper machine. We showed them the design and they had changes which we were able to make overnight. We then presented the new design to the customer the next day and secured an order.”

Autodesk

www.autodesk.com

Filed Under: Autodesk, Autodesk News, Inventor Tagged With: 2D, 3D, Autodesk, Cadenas, ERP, Inventor, SAP, Voith Paper

AAC Engineered Systems

December 7, 2011 By Laura Carrabine Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: 3D CAD Package Tips, CAD Industry News, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Blogs, SolidWorks News & Events Tagged With: 2D, 3D, AAC Engineered Systems, cad, Configuration Management, eDrawings, Smart Part Technology, SolidWorks

Autodesk launches AutoCAD products for the Mac OS X Lion

August 16, 2011 By Laura Carrabine Leave a Comment

Autodesk debuted three products for the Mac operating environment: AutoCAD 2012, AutoCAD LT 2012, and AutoCAD WS.

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac includes 2D and 3D tools, 3D free-form modeling, 3D visualization and rendering, network licensing, advanced customization of menus, and support for LISP, ObjectARX, and ObjectDBX.

AutoCAD LT for Mac follows common Mac application UI guidelines with an Apple menu bar with workflow-based palettes. The software supports native Mac OS X behavior including Cover Flow navigation and Multi-Touch gestures.

AutoCAD WS for Mac is a free app that provides basic tools for viewing, editing,a nd sharing designs. Through its synchronous coediting feature, uou can collaborate on designs across multiple platforms —  desktop, mobile, and web.

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 is free to students and educators through the Autodesk Education Community where more than 25 Autodesk software products are available for download.

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 and AutoCAD WS for Mac will be available worldwide August 19, 2011. AutoCAD LT for Mac will only be available in the U.S. and Canada on August 16, 2011. AutoCAD LT for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac will be delivered exclusively as apps on the Mac App Store.

Autodesk

www.autodesk.com

Filed Under: 3D CAD Package Tips, Autocad Blogs, Autodesk, Autodesk News, CAD Package Tagged With: 2D, 3D, Apple, AutoCAD, AutoCAD 2012, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD WS, Autodesk, Mac

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