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| The latest information on CAD/CAM software and
technology
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Nov 12, 2008
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Recently, I was invited to follow a fellow CAD colleague on Twitter. The
microblog
lets you send brief messages of 140 characters or less called "Tweets."
You just type-in what you are doing at that moment. The site is neat
because you can catch those fleeting moments that tend to otherwise
disappear into the void. Recent tweets include those from Al Dean,
co-founder of develop3d.com who lamented, “today of all days -
my backup device fails... ARGGGHHHH.” Dora Smith, PR director of
Siemens PLM/CAD and writer, who sent her message from TwitterBerry (you
can use Twitter from your cell phone), “Watching my son sleep
soundly,
last nite in AZ, good mix of work and fun with the fam here, my son saw
his 1st scorpion!” And Roopinder Tara, Editor/publisher for CAD, CAM, CAE online media
says, “In Rwanda and wondering if anyone would be interested in posts
on travel in my blog or should I just stick to CAD stuff.” I also
discovered that Barack Obama uses the site and opted to "follow"
him. I soon received an e-mail that he is "following" me!
Questions? Comments? Send them in, and we might publish them
here!
— Leslie Gordon
leslie.gordon@penton.com
Second Life: Pez Balut
P.S. A reader asks "How do I make a metallic object when only a
physical
part is available?" Could those of you knowledgable about RP and DDM
help him out by replying to the post on the Machine Design forum? Thanks!
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German engineers have a reputation for having more practical
backgrounds than their American counterparts, but does that translate
into more-fulfilling careers? Germany has always been synonymous with
engineering. It is well known for its technical universities,
internships that are practical and immersive, and perhaps most
important, a culture and an economy that rewards engineering skills
with
both prestige and career growth. Read the rest
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PDMWorks Enterprise (PDMWE) 2008 lets users easily manage
engineering documentation that includes specifications, supplier data,
CAD models, and drawings.
In a nutshell, PDMWE manages all the relationships among a user’s
SolidWorks files. It also includes viewers for over 250 different file
formats.
PDMWE targets enterprise-wide use. It uses a Microsoft SQL Server
database to manage a separate file archive and can synchronize this to
multiple remote sites. The software includes a full-featured license of
SQL Server 2005. However, the license is limited to running only the
PDMWE database. Read the rest
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What will a day in the life of a mechanical engineer look like in
the year 2028? According to an American Society of Mechanical Engineers
report, 2028 Vision for Mechanical Engineering, a typical day might
involve working from home on advanced CAD systems, fabricating
prototypes on your desktop, and working as an entrepreneur or
consultant. Read the rest
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Quadrispace provides software that lets users cread
Web documents, technical illustrations, and animations from 3D CAD. The
company also provides a free 3D Communication Suite that lets users share
3D
PDF documents and Word documents with embedded 3D images through email.
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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire Has Never Been
Hotter! View Webcast! 
Witness the hottest enhancements of this cutting-edge release of
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0!
Join PTC Applications Engineer, Scott Zundel, as he demonstrates the
latest features and enhancements of Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0,
including:
- Advanced features/diagnostic tools in Core Design and 3D
Drawings
- Complete overhaul of Import DataDoctor and other advanced
capabilities
- Advanced rendering
- Stunning visualization and simulation
- Breakthroughs in Digital Rights and Data Management, and Data
Exchange
- Much more!
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Software predicts product
reliability
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Weibull-Ease's most novel feature is a routine to evaluate and
quantify a relatively simple idea: when demand put upon a specific unit
of the population being evaluated, exceeds its capability, it fails.
The
object is to match distributions for unit capability (strength)
distribution and an expected demand (stress) distribution to generate
an
Annual Failure of units exceeding their capability. The method can be
applied to most mechanical or electrical products, from light bulbs to
battle tanks. Reports include major statistical parameters with
confidence limits. In addition, Weibull-Ease accomplishes the major
functions of more well known reliability software routines — at
significantly less cost. Download a 30-day trial version.
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Technology Preview of New Inventor
Plastic Features
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A free tool on Autodesk Labs helps 3D software users increase
productivity in designing plastic parts. The Autodesk Inventor Plastic
Features tool is intended to simplify the design of plastic parts and
features. Current Inventor users can run it alongside their production
version of Inventor. Also, any 3D designer or engineer can use the
technology, not just licensed Inventor users. Check it out
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Get connected to Machine Design!
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connect directly with Machine Design and our group of Engineering
professionals. Our Linked In group focuses on providing valuable
information to the Engineering community. We seek to strengthen the
quality of information, relationships, and communication amongst our
readers and members. To become a member Join Now!
Our Machine Design Linked-In group is for:
- Editors
- Engineers
- Students
- Enthusiasts
- And more...join now.
See you inside,
MachineDesign.com
Looking for an engineering job? Find it on our online Engineering
Job board
Post a resume, get alerts about interesting positions as they are
posted, and see what kinds of engineering jobs are hot right now!
Visit the Design Engineer Job Zone
Engineering TV is an innovative online video program
by engineers for engineers. Twice a week, each 5-8 minute episode shows
cutting-edge technology in
action and looks behind the scenes as today's engineers shape
tomorrow's
breakthroughs. Brought to you by the Penton Media Design and
Electronics
Engineering groups.
View
Videos
Rev up your interdisciplinary design skills
What happens when a microcontroller turns on a power FET, sending a
current pulse to a motor coil that develops a magnetic field which
turns
the rotor shaft, advancing a timing belt that drives a pair of nip
rolls
suspended on bearings in a web-processing operation on a form, fill,
and
seal machine installed on a potato chip line at a Frito Lay plant in
central California? And how can you be sure that the encoders, prox
sensors, and other feedback devices you plan to use will accurately see
and report every relevant motion, machine state, and process condition?
And will the signals get through the networks fast enough, without
being
corrupted, giving the controllers time to execute their algorithms as
intended? It's a lot to think about, and it only scratches the surface
of what many engineers grapple with today. If you happen to be one of
them, then the place for you — where you can find answers and
meet
others with similar concerns — is www.Mechatronic-Design.com.
Backed by some of engineering's top information sources including
Machine Design, Electronic Design, Motion System Design, and Power
Electronics, Mechatronic-Design.com is the interdisciplinary engineer's
desktop, toolbox, library, and lifeline in one easily accessible
place.
Find. Learn. Apply.
Mechatronic-Design.com.
Experience National Instruments Technologies From
the Comfort of Your Own Computer!
 With more
than 200 on-demand webcasts, videos, interactive
tutorials and demos available for users of any experience level, it is
easier than ever to learn about the newest products and features
available from National Instruments.
Begin your search here with a collection of
webcasts specifically chosen for design and automation engineers.
CAD Library offers advanced CAD Resources
The Machine Design CAD
Library, includes millions of configurable 2D and 3D CAD models
of
components and assemblies downloadable for easy use in new and existing
designs. Our models are in native CAD formats. No translation
required!
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Sponsored
by:
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UPCOMING IN-PERSON EVENTS
Design-2-Part Shows are America's longest running and most trusted
events for sourcing custom parts and services.
Ten shows covering the country offer OEMs, engineers and purchasing
personnel the opportunity to meet job shops and
contract manufacturers face-to-face.
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
Introduction to Linear Actuators
Sponsored by HaydonKerk Motion Solutions
DATE: November 13th, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
What is a stepper motor based linear actuator? How does it work? How
is it sized?
These are questions that will be answered in HaydonKerk Motion
Solutions
first technical webinar. Engineering managers Frank Morton and Ray
LaChance explain linear actuators and how they are used to achieve
precision linear motion.
In this webinar:
Basic stepper motor theory
Components that make up a stepper motor-based linear actuator
The selection of a linear actuator based on load, resolution, and
travel requirements
Who should attend:
Electrical, Mechanical, and Electromechanical design/application
engineers who are in the process of designing a motion application or
would like a better understanding of linear actuators
Equipment OEMs that desire an integrated solution for conversion of
rotary to linear motion
Click here to learn more and register!
Supercharging and Securing Products with Embedded
RFID
Sponsored by Skyetek
DATE: November 18th, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
The power of RFID as a stand-alone application in supply chain
management has garnered much attention in recent years. The story now
is
how RFID can be added as a feature to an almost unending list of
products -- adding new functionality, increasing reliability and
enhancing the user experience. Look ahead as recent security breaches
make RFID security a critical consideration.
Who should attend: Designers, Engineers, Product Managers,
Directors and Technical Executives from OEMs, finished product
manufacturers and design firms. No RFID expertise required.
Bonus: All attendees will receive the white paper "Innovate with
Embedded RFID"
Click here to learn more and register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click Here for a list of archived Machine
Design
webcasts.
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Surfware Receives Patent for
Engagement Milling
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Surfware
Inc.,
developer of SURFCAM CAD/CAM software, announced that the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office has issued a patent (number 7451013) for its
Engagement Milling technology.
“This protects the intellectual property and proprietary technology
we
have developed over many years” says Stephen Diehl, president and CEO
of Surfware. “The mathematics and science behind Engagement Milling
are revolutionary, and we have incorporated the technology into our
SURFCAM product line as TrueMill. The patent provides strong
protection for current and future versions of TrueMill.”
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Graphite Named Staff Pick by Apple
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Ashlar-Vellum
Graphite v8 SP1 was named as a Staff Pick by Apple Computer. The 2D/3D
wireframe computer-aided drafting software is a Top Download in both
the
All Downloads and Imaging and 3D categories on the Apple Web
site.
Highlights of Graphite v8 SP1 include:
Improved DWG/DXF translation including import of AutoCAD layouts with
their views into Graphite sheets. Improved PDF smart-data export.
Optimizations for the Intel Mac with a performance increase of 3X on
zoom, pan and selection functions, and 2X for file loading under
Leopard.
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PTC expands its sponsorship of
FIRST
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PTC has
substantially expanded its sponsorship of FIRST (For
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), building upon
the company’s highly successful inaugural sponsorship of the 2008
FIRST Robotics Competition. FIRST aims to engage students in grades K
– 12 in exciting and innovative programs designed around the use
of robotics to develop science and technology skillsand motivate
students to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering. The
goals of FIRST align with PTC’s commitment to advancing STEM
(Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives to strengthen
core
education fundamentals and provide career paths.
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Contact Information
Editorial questions: Leslie Gordon
216-931-9242
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
1300 E. 9th St.
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©2008 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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