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| The latest information on CAD/CAM software and
technology
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March 11, 2009
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Just like many of you, we too are scrambling to survive and even thrive
in these tough times. Our new CEO Sharon Rowlands seems to be taking a
creative and aggressive approach. She wants to shake-up Penton's
traditional "silos," so similar to those often found in engineering and
manufacturing. The new stress is on teamwork. Another goal: Eliminate
the "one size fits all" approach to each group of (related) magazines.
Thus, some publications will remain print and Web, and some will go Web
only. She calls the ongoing reorganization a "transition to a
market-facing structure" — a good way for us to get more flexible
and create even better ways to inform and hopefully entertain our
readers. She also says regrouping means a lot of change across the
organization in a very short time, but "it’s better to be brave and
fast."
With all the goings-on, it seems opportune that Harvard Business
Publishing sends in a new book targeting top management called
Discovery Driven Growth. The book reports that companies
following conventional ways of driving growth will probably flop, while
those that practice "discovery-driven" growth can capitalize
on an uncertain business climate. The approaches differ in many ways.
For example, conventional thinking says a revision indicates a
mistake. In contast, the authors' method says a revision
indicates learning. Another difference, conventional practices
dictate that success means to make the numbers and hit projections,
while discovery-driven thinking defines success as learning as much as
you can for the least posssible cost.
Questions? Comments? Send them in, and we might
publish them here!
— Leslie Gordon
leslie.gordon@penton.com
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It started innocently enough during a late-night online poker game.
A flashing sign claimed I could get a free flat-screen TV just by
clicking a little pink button. Normally I wouldn’t fall for a come-on
like that, but I was on a reputable poker site. And I was curious how
anyone could make money giving away TVs. One click later I found out:
Only after signing up for numerous “trial” offers, all of which
required a credit-card number, could you expect your TV to be delivered.
All in all, that free TV could end up being a pretty expensive
proposition. Read the rest of the article
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Darin Everett from Stratasys Inc. explains how additive fabrication is
being used in rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing (DDM).
He says DDM makes end-use parts such as instrument housings for
motorcycles, as well as fabrication and assembly tools like jigs and
fixtures. Everett also shows available materials and colors. He says ABS
is the most widely used material on higher-end FDM machines and he
discusses a new blend of ABS. Everett also discusses the tolerances the
machines can hold with different size parts. Watch a five-minute long video
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Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) has been around since
the 1940s, yet it is unappreciated as a way of finding bad designs
before parts get made. GD&T is a well-established enabling technology,
so you might think it would be widely used. But in fact, few managers
understand how valuable this technology can be. GD&T can’t make a bad
design good, but the proper use of GD&T within a well-defined
product-development effort can identify a bad design before it results
in a lot of needlessly expensive parts. Read the rest of the article
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Isight and Fiper 3.5 software From SIMULIA lets
product-development engineers integrate cross-disciplinary models and
applications together in simulation process flows, automate their
execution across distributed compute resources, and explore the
resulting design space. Isight 3.5 (formerly known as iSIGHT-FD)
generates such flows by linking software including CAD, CAE, Microsoft
Excel, and home-grown code. The software includes advanced engineering
techniques such as optimization, Design for Six Sigma, approximation
methods, and Design of Experiments. Fiper, an add-on module to Isight,
lets users share multidisciplinary simulation results. Users can access
Fiper directly from Isight or from a Web interface. For more information
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The XVL compressed format allows the easy sharing, reuse,
simulation, and testing of 3D assemblies in a sensible and productive
manner no matter what the size of the data. XVL v10 (codenamed U-XVL)
delivers yet more compression, letting files be viewed, manipulated, and
checked more than two times faster than ever before. As a result of the
format's high compression, Lattice Technology applications are
being updated. These will roll-out during Summer 2009 and are available
at no charge to existing maintenance customers. To find out more
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Motion Resource Center
 Every solution
requires the right tools to get the job done correctly. Danaher Motion
has created a web page with descriptions and access to motor
sizing/selection software, on-line servo technology database, an
engineering toolbar for various calculations and more. The site even
has more details concerning a Motion Control Handbook that will be a
great resource even when a computer with web access is
available.
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With a desktop footprint of 24 x 26-in., the uPrint makes
3D-model generation immediate and more convenient. The machine lets
users build 3D models in durable ABSplus — on average 40% stronger
than standard ABS material — for functional testing under real-world
conditions. The uPrint costs $14,900. A special product bundle is
available for a limited time with uPrint and SolidWorks. For more information
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Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo –
May 14
Do you know you can get in-depth education on energy-efficiency and all
the benefits of an in-person trade show without ever leaving your desk
or spending a dime?
The intelligent use of energy is making headlines. Product designers and
manufacturers are striving to deliver products that consume less power,
extend battery life, generate less heat, or work from alternative energy
sources. Our Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo will
educate design engineers, product developers, and managers on how to
make the best use of energy-efficient product innovations and devices,
and on how to arrange them in systems to lower power consumption and
stay "green." This special one-day event will include sessions
on such areas as:
- Power-efficient drive techniques for lighting
- ROI for high-efficiency capital equipment
- Energy monitoring and energy standards
- Designing for SEMI S23 and the Energy Act of 2007
- Working with alternative power and battery technology
Make plans now to attend the Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. The
event offers a full day of live webinars and interactive booths, along
with a Resource Center where visitors can download or link to additional
materials.
Register Now!
Machine Design Video Spotlight
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Saving Energy Beyond
Motor Efficiency |
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Richard Mintz from SEW Eurodrive Inc.
provides details of a report that says energy efficient motors may use
more energy than standard motors in certain applications and that one
must look beyond the motor for the best energy savings. |
Check Out the New Machinedesign.com
Our newly redesigned web site still features the best content and
information for engineers provided by engineers but with these new great
features.
Multiple Path Navigation
Find content your way. Improved site navigation creates multiple ways to
find the content you are looking for.
Supercharged Search
The search function has been highly improved and tested to provide the
most effective results for engineers.
Highlighted Resources
Looking for CAD drawings? Find them in our CAD Library.
Download whitepapers in the Whitepaper
Library. Valuable educational content is featured in the eBook
section. Check out the latest in editorial and sponsored video
in the Video
section.
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
The Fundamentals of CANopen for Industrial Machine Control
Sponsored by Maxon Precision Motors
DATE: March 12th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
CANopen is an industrial networking system used in millions of
applications worldwide. It is based on Controller Area Network (CAN)
technology, a proven serial bus that links multiple devices, allowing
them to work together.
Optimized for reliability and real-time control, CAN/CANopen is
especially well suited for motion systems consisting of actuators,
sensors, controllers, and analog and digital I/O. It also offers a
competitive edge. Unlike other serial-bus systems, CANopen maintains a
certain level of manufacturer independence through standard device
profiles with layered flexibility.
In this overview of the CANopen specification, we will give designers a
fundamental understanding of the platform, advantages and disadvantages,
and where the standard is headed. We’ll also take a focused look at
device profiles, including an actual multi-networked application, and
explore the various communication layers and how they can be optimized
for industrial control applications.
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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CD-adapco Training: Engine Compartment
Thermal Modeling
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Thermal analysts, engineers, and designers currently using CFD
software needing to take their underhood and engine-compartment
simulations to the next level might want to attend the CD-adapco
Engine Compartment Thermal Modeling training event to be held in
Detroit, Mich., March 19 and 20. Instructors will guide users through
fundamental approaches and best practices in applying CFD for thermal
simulations in these environments. Attendees will learn about Java-based
macro set-up for automation for DFSS and “what-if” type projects,
predicting temperatures of critical components such as rubber hosing,
and getting the most out of thermal models so wind-tunnel testing is
more productive and cost effective. To register
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Free SolidWorks Training
Videos
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According to SolidWorks VAR CADDWorks Corp., the software
indeed requires formal training. But getting approval for training in
these challenging times might be tough. So the company created a Web
site with free SolidWorks training videos. The educational videos
include a dose of amusing sarcasm. Check out the videos
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Learn How to Design Better Plastic
Parts at NPE2009
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NPE2009 will be held June 22 to 26 at McCormick Place in Chicago. At
Booth #10025 South Hall, Autodesk Moldflow will show attendees
how to: optimize designs for maximum quality and lowest cost, ensure
mold designs will work right the first time they go to production,
develope environmentally friendly products, and use new
design-to-manufacturing-team collaboration tools. For more information
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Protomold
Turn your 3D CAD model into real plastic parts in one business day!
Visit www.protomold.com for information and a free
automated ProtoQuote®.
First Cut
CNC machined parts in 1-3 business days. Get parts with better material
properties, surface finishes and dimensional properties than additive
rapid prototypes. Visit www.firstcut.com
PTC & Pro/ENGINEER
Did you know Pro/ENGINEER is the ideal CAD for Small and Medium-sized
Businesses?
Find out why these SMB companies chose Pro/ENGINEER and why they are
happy with their decision. Get valuable advice for successful
state-of-the-art engineering!
www.ptc.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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