MD_CAD CAM Monthly_: Virtual Modeling Helps Build Better Cars

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The latest information on CAD/CAM software and technology

January 13, 2010

Why Every Designer Should Have a Surface-Finish Scale

T. Brian Jones, president & founder http://industrialinterface.com – Sourcing Made Simple, says:

"I write the Industrial Interface blog and I just want to thank you for the mention in the posting this morning. I used to work as a manufacturing engineer at Titleist Golf in San Diego. I had an entire machine shop at my daily disposal, and I was always surprised at how hesitant the other engineers were to go get input and advice from the machinists. That post is one of my favorites. I thought you might enjoy these blog items as well. Why Every Designer Should Have a Surface-Finish Scale has been popular recently, as funny as that may seem."

We always love hearing from our readers. Send in your questions and comments, and they might get published here!

— Leslie Gordon, Senior Editor
leslie.gordon@penton.com

Articles

Editors’ Picks for Educational Toys

One of the best ways to get kids interested in a topic, whether it’s engineering or astronomy, is to give them a toy or game that helps them explore that subject. Just don’t tell them it’s educational. Here are some toys and kits that might kickstart a youngster’s interest in engineering and science. Read the rest of the story

Virtual Modeling Helps Build Better Cars

Diesel engines in the past tended to emit large amounts of smog-producing fumes because of their high-temperature compression ratios. But, just as in gasoline-powered cars, a technology called variable-valve lift (VVL) helps reduce emissions by optimizing gas use in the cylinder. Until recently, VVL technology for diesels had lengthy development times and thus targeted premium vehicles where the added costs could be more readily absorbed into the sticker price. Read the rest of the story

Leland Teschler's Editorial: Take Back Your Privacy

It has become common practice among people requesting information online to hide their identities, and aggressive sales tactics are the reason. When a Web site demands your phone number in return for a download of a white paper, experienced Web surfers know what’s coming. They can soon expect a call from a telemarketer trying to close a sale on what was just a query for some background information. No wonder, then, that more and more engineers and other professionals now give fake names and phone numbers when asked for their particulars. As one engineer put it, “When I am ready to talk with a vendor, I want it to be on my terms.” Clearly no one enjoys being a hapless target of some predatory marketing strategy. Read the rest of the story

New Products

Free Software for Creating 3D Product Documentation

A free download, the Inventor Publisher Technology Preview on Autodesk Labs lets users easily create interactive, 3D product documentation such as animated assembly instructions or repair and maintenance guides. The software works directly with digital CAD data to generate exploded views and view sequences. Read the rest of the story.

The iPhone screenshot shows a 3D model of a bike in the beta version of Firefly for the iPhone. Mobile users can now rotate models and see animated assembly instructions, among other things.

Software Lets Users Design the Way They Think

SpaceClaim Style helps accelerate product ideation by providing flexible tools to create, edit, and validate design concepts. The software lets designers work collaboratively with customers and the entire development team. It provides a way to realize new ideas and convert hand-drawn, 2D and surface data to accurate 3D solid models. Read the rest of the story

CAM with Feature Recognition

Edgecam 2010 CAM software has enhanced feature-recognition capabilities that help users efficiently generate toolpaths. The software captures feature properties such as depth, radius/chamfer, and min/max XY radius, letting users easily select appropriate tooling and cycle parameters. A cutter-compensation feature lets users make adjustments to allow for tool wear. Read the rest of the story

Industry Update

At SolidWorks World, Delcam will launch its new integrated CAM package for SolidWorks

Delcam, a developer of machining software, will demonstrate its integrated CAM system for SolidWorks at the SolidWorks World 2010 exhibition to be held in Anaheim, Calif., January 31st to February 3rd, 2010. The initial version of Delcam for SolidWorks will include industry-leading technology for drilling and two through five-axis milling. Future releases will cover the full range of machining operations, including turning, mill-turn, and wire EDM.

Cranes Software Subsidiary Wins SAE Innovation Award

Cranes Software announces that its subsidiary Engineering Technology Associates Inc. (ETA) was selected from amongst five finalists as the winner of the 2nd Annual SAE Detroit Section/MITEF Vehicle Innovation Competition. ETA’s winning entry was a seamlessly integrated design development process, entitled the Accelerated Concept to Product (ACP) Process.

Seimens releases latest version of D-Cubed 3D DCM

Siemens PLM Software announces the latest release of the D-Cubed 3D Dimensional Constraint Manager (3D DCM), a software component that positions parts in assemblies, simulates their kinematic motion, and parametrically controls the configuration of 3D sketches and the shape of parts.