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| The latest information on CAD/CAM software and
technology
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July 8, 2009
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Are you a gear lover, but lack CAD?
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Leonard R. Miller, retired Mfg. Tool Designer from Camden, Ark., says
to those of you who have answered his questions over the last 13 years
with suggestions, snippets of code, and criticisms of his code — a
big thank you.
"As the creator of the AutoLISP-sourced MyGEARilla, I hope to
somehow repay the community of gear users — even those simply
curious about gears — by providing free 2D drawings of gears in
PDF format. Many gear users do not have CAD and therefore can’t take
advantage of the MyGEARilla gear-drawing program. While it continues to
be freely available to AutoCAD users for download, so is the option for
gear enthusiasts to specify their own gear and receive a drawing.” For more
information
Questions? Comments? Send them in, and we might
publish them here!
— Leslie Gordon
leslie.gordon@penton.com
my blog
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Until recently, simulation would lag detailed design because 3D
models did not exist until
designers finished the CAD models required for simulation. To break
this chicken-or-egg
dependency, engineers are now introducing an inexpensive, preliminary
design phase that vets
concept models using simulation before detailed design and
design-for-manufacture begin.
This preliminary design process has been proven in niche, high-budget
industries where
manufacturers can invest in specialized CAD personnel who are
dedicated to serving the
needs of conceptual engineers. However, most manufacturers cannot
justify the costs and
time constraints of adding CAD staff to support the conceptual design
process.
Free! Download the rest of this fascinating whitepaper
by SpaceClaim
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You are probably already familiar with 3D scanning-to-printing as a
way to build scaled, facsimile models of real-world products. But
suppose you are, say, a bottle manufacturer that needs to
reverse-engineer large handleware complete with little ribs in the
grips. Or a Tier One aftermarket supplier needing to capture a difficult
shape in an automobile interior, such as the area between the windshield
and instrument panel. Or even a natural history museum needing a replica
of a huge dinosaur bone for an educational exhibit. Whatever the
industry -- whether manufacturing, health care, cultural heritage, or
even arts and entertainment -- a significant barrier to 3D scanning has
been the expense, bulkiness, and inconvenience of traditional
equipment.
Free! Read the rest of the whitepaper from Z Corp.
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It is tough to come up with a bulletproof engineering design. It can
take a lot of time and many iterations to get all the details right.
These iterations might seem small, but one minor change can unleash a
cascade of minor changes in a product cycle. In other words, one event
sets off a chain of consequences in a sort of “domino effect.”
Read the rest of the article
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Alias Sketchbook Pro and Alias Design industrial design software
from Autodesk Inc. are compatible with Mac OS X. Alias Sketchbook
Pro painting and drawing software simplifies the move from pen and paper
to digital. Alias Design gives product designers control from ideation
to the final surfaces that are passed to engineering. Users can develop
design concepts with sketches, illustrations, photorealistic renderings,
and animations. Designs easily import into Autodesk Inventor. Read the rest
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The new MDX-40A 3D desktop milling machine from Roland DGA Corp.
is compact, easy to use, and comes complete with SRP Player CAM
Software which lets users go from CAD model to physical prototype
quickly. New features include support for G-Code so the MDX-40A is also
compatible with widely used software such as Mastercam, EdgeCAM,
SurfCAM, and GibbsCAM. Existing MDX-40 and MDX-40K users can upgrade to
MDX-40A software and firmware, free of charge.
Read the rest
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The ProtoFast service from Rubber Industries Inc.
makes rubber parts from prints in just 10 days. This lets designers
quickly and easily evaluate and test different rubber formulations
including thermoset materials, silicones, fluouroelastomers,
fluorosilicones, and liquid silicone rubber. In-house elastomer testing
assures quality requirements are met for contamination and UV and
chemical resistance. Once a prototype part is designed and tested, the
company has complete rubber and silicone production facilities to
perform small, medium, and high-volume molding, assembly, and packaging.
Read the rest
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helps engineers develop and employ state-of-the-art energy systems and
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Machine Design Video Spotlight
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SVSI High-speed
video |
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A view from a high-speed video shot
with the Southern Vision Systems StreamView LR camera
shows a die in mid traverse down the arbor. Baldor personnel recorded
the video at 388 fps. The playback is at 15 fps. |
Now Available On-Demand
The Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo
Engineers saw and heard great educational content at the Energy
Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. If you missed the live virtual
event, don’t despair! An archive of the full day’s agenda is now
available.
Design engineers are required to integrate energy efficiency into their
designs while maintaining lower costs, the highest reliability or both.
The editors of Machine Design understand these challenges
and have developed this conference to help engineers understand the
recently imposed energy mandates. The information presented at this
educational event will help engineers compare the different technologies
and product related to energy efficiency. Attendees will gain access to
the technical information needed to help them make the best decisions
without having to travel or take time away from current projects.
Visit the archive to:
- View informative webinars on energy efficiency
- Visit interactive booths where you can contact suppliers
- Peruse the Resource Center where you can download or link to
additional pertinent energy efficiency information
Register Now!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
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Two firms invest in
Creaform
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Creaform, developer and manufacturer of the
Handyscan 3D line-up of handheld and self-positioning laser scanners,
announces an important investment from two major Canadian investment
companies: Novacap and Capital regional et cooperatif Desjardins.
“Creaform now has two first-rate financial partners, said President
Charles Mony. “Their financial support will help us speed our growth
and boost our R&D.”
The agreement was signed after Creaform announced a 35% year-over-year
revenue increase.
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Trace Software now a SolidWorks
Solution Partner
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SolidWorks
Corp., Concord, Mass., has named Trace Software
in France as one of its Solution Partners. Trace just developed CAD
software called elecworks for electrical design. It works with
SolidWorks 3D software for mechanical design.
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COMSOL Community goes
live
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COMSOL Inc., the developer of COMSOL Multiphysics software
has launched a new networking site called Comsol Community. With over
50,000 users of the software worldwide, the site provides a convenient
way for engineers and scientists to connect with colleagues. Joining the
community let users tap into the expertise of tens of thousands of
highly skilled modeling and simulation experts. Registration is free. To join
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Protomold
"Designing for Moldability" is a quick-reference user guide for rapid
injection molding, great for engineers and designers of plastic parts.
Download this invaluable guide today!
First Cut
New to the prototyping field or an expert, we’ve created a white paper
you shouldn’t miss, Prototyping Processes: Choosing the best
process for your project.
Visit www.firstcut.com/prototypingprocesses
Free Multiphysics Presentations CD
It's here - The 2009 Edition of the COMSOL Conference CD, packed with
multiphysics presentations from our recent conferences in Boston and
Hannover. Included are over 400 contributed papers, slides, videos and
more. Get your
complimentary copy of the CD right now at: www.comsol.com.
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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.
Cleveland, OH 44114
©2009 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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