Saturday, August 29, 2015

3D Systems Ships 3DMe Photobooth for Retail, Event Spaces

http://www.3dsystems.com
ROCK HILL, SC, USA, Aug 29, 2015 - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced the immediate availability of its new generation of 3DMe Photobooth, which brings the full 3DMe experience to retail spaces and events. Always a popular attraction at events around the country, this revamped version includes an attractive user interface and is fine-tuned for easier point-of-sale, revenue reporting, and user experience.


3DMe Photobooth uses 3D imaging technology to capture an instant, photo-realistic facial image. Users can put their face on seasonal and branded collections of customizable 3DMe figurines, including characters from “Ghostbusters” and “Walking Dead.” Utilizing Photobooth’s state-of-the-art technology, users can play animations of their personalized character, social share and order 3D-printed full color figurines-all within minutes from the Photobooth kiosk.

For owners, the latest version of 3DMe Photobooth adds upon the kiosk’s consumer popularity, integrating enhanced operating features that make it even easier to maintain and operate. A new point-of-sale (POS) system allows onsite purchasing with a credit card reader, and included revenue tracking systems help owners pinpoint trends. Even the shipping and packing of the unit are streamlined. In minutes, after unpacking the 3DMe Photobooth, vendors can be attracting customers and generating revenue.

In addition, the new 3DMe Photobooth’s skin can be customized for improved visibility and branding. 3DMe Photobooth’s content can also be refreshed based on brands and seasons, so vendors can provide the free content and styles that attract new and returning consumers.

“We’re excited for the new opportunities that 3DMe Photobooth brings to retail and event spaces for increased foot traffic, recurring revenue, and for the joy it brings users,” said Peter Theran, Vice President of Global Consumer Products, 3DS. “3DMe Photobooth is always hugely popular with consumers, and now it’s easier for owners, too. It’s a win for everyone.”

3DMe Photobooth will have 12 language options and is available through authorized 3D Systems resellers and distributors.

To watch a video of 3DMe Photobooth for retail and event activations click here. To learn more about 3DMe Photobooth and how to become a reseller, click click here.

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D digital design and fabrication solutions available today, including 3D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. Its powerful ecosystem transforms entire industries by empowering professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life using its vast material selection, including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS’ leading personalized medicine capabilities save lives and include end-to-end simulation, training and planning, and printing of surgical instruments and devices for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D digital design, fabrication and inspection products provide seamless interoperability and incorporate the latest immersive computing technologies. 3DS’ products and services disrupt traditional methods, deliver improved results and empower its customers to manufacture the future now. For more information, visit www.3dsystems.com.

3D Systems Ships GibbsCAM 2015 for Production Machining

www.3dsystems.com
ROCK HILL, SC, USA, Aug 29,  2015 - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced that it has begun shipping the latest version of GibbsCAM, its software for production machining. This comprehensive update to 3DS’ industry-leading software incorporates an all-new Universal Kinematic Machine (UKM) engine that further simplifies CNC programming. The release also includes multiple enhancements that extend capabilities and accommodate new machines of all configurations. For video overviews of GibbsCAM 2015,  click here.


As an integral component of 3DS’ design-to-manufacturing digital thread, facilitating cross-technology manufacturing between additive and subtractive methods, GibbsCAM enables improved production efficiency and greater profitability. Developed for ease-of-use, GibbsCAM empowers numerical control programmers and machinists with solid modeling, 2- through 5-axis milling, high speed machining, mill/turn, Swiss, multi-task machining and wire-EDM capabilities.

“We are committed to providing 3D digital design and fabrication solutions that enable our customers to be more productive and competitive,” said Ilan Erez, Vice President, co-Chief Operating Officer and CFO, Software Products, 3DS. “With the recent addition of GibbsCAM to the 3DS digital manufacturing thread portfolio, our customers can now enjoy the ability to use both subtractive and additive manufacturing to achieve the highest productivity possible. Manufacturers can use the two technologies in tandem, printing a metal part and then using a milling machine to achieve the required surface finish, for example. It’s a perfect fit.

“With the new release of GibbsCAM 2015 we enable our customers to program any machine with a single program and a single interface,” continued Erez. “The new features and enhancements in GibbsCAM 2015 are designed to save time in programming, provide more flexibility in selecting and using tools, and make toolpath verification and machine simulation more accurate and efficient.”

Some of the new features in GibbsCAM 2015 include:
  • New Tooling Functions and Capabilities that extend the ability to define, use and simulate tools, with new icons and dynamic 3D viewing of tools and tool holders. Support for straight, tapered and stepped shanks was extended to all mill tools, while new mill and lathe tool types are also introduced, including 3D form tools and 75° Diamond (ISO E-style) lathe tools.
  • Numerous Enhancements for Hole-making that include additional support for hole features from CAD systems and full associativity for hole features from Autodesk Inventor, CATIA v5, Solid Edge and SolidWorks. New is the Hole Editor for editing hole features, including compound holes, which are supported with multiple straight, tapered and threaded segments. In addition, feature recognition has been enhanced, and the 5-axis drilling interface has been streamlined. These features simplify hole-making operations and make the programming process faster.
  • Intermediate Tooling Support for Multi-task Machining (MTM), which makes tooling more manageable, simulation more accurate, and programming easier, with more accurate placement and orientation of tools. Additions include a tool block library and support for tool blocks, such as adapter blocks, holders for tool holders, right-angle and adjustable heads, and flash tooling. A fixture library and support for fixtures (chucks, tailstocks, steady rests and other work holding devices) are included.
  • Machine Simulation which is greatly improved as a result of UKM, intermediate tooling support, and an improved rendering palette. Rendering is more accurate and efficient, displaying intermediate tooling for a more complete simulation of all moving components. Customized monitoring of key conditions is enabled with a new Stops and Watches feature. Combined, these additions make the programming-through-simulation process faster and more accurate.
  • Integration with Sandvik Coromant’s Adveon Tool Library, which enables importing tools from Sandvik and ISO 13399 compliant systems to make a standard library available at any time, simplifying tool definition and tooling-data management. This also allows a shop to build, save and reuse a library, and link tools and tool assemblies to parts and processes, enabling faster reuse of a program for a subsequent part run, and faster updating when parts change.
Learn more about 3DS’ commitment to manufacturing the future today at www.3dsystems.com, and the new GibbsCAM 2015 software here.

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D digital design and fabrication solutions available today, including 3D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. Its powerful ecosystem transforms entire industries by empowering professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life using its vast material selection, including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS’ leading personalized medicine capabilities save lives and include end-to-end simulation, training and planning, and printing of surgical instruments and devices for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D digital design, fabrication and inspection products provide seamless interoperability and incorporate the latest immersive computing technologies. 3DS’ products and services disrupt traditional methods, deliver improved results and empower its customers to manufacture the future now. For  more information, visit www.3dsystems.com.

Delcam Hosts 2015 Asian Tech Summit in Bangalore

http://www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Aug 29, 2015 - Delcam held its 2015 Asian Technical Summit in Bangalore earlier this month, where the company presented its latest technical and financial news to the media, customers and academics from both India and the wider Asian region. Headline sponsor for the meeting, the fifteenth in the series, was again HP, which presented its latest hardware developments to the attendees.


The meeting was the first Summit to be held since the appointment of Pete Baxter as Vice President in February. The audience was, therefore, especially interested hear his presentation on Delcam and its part in parent company Autodesk’s philosophy on ‘The Future of Making Things’.

The main focus of the other presentations at the Summit was on the latest versions of Delcam’s range of CAM systems that are due to be demonstrated at the EMO exhibition in Italy during October. Updates were also included on the other software in the Delcam portfolio, including the company’s design, reverse engineering and inspection software.

The program also featured presentations from several of Delcam’s Indian customers. These included companies from Delcam’s traditional markets in toolmaking and subcontract machining, such as Godrej Ltd – Tooling Division, Ashcraft Engineers and Shree Engineers, as well as Mr. Vijayragavan from Titan Company Ltd, who described his company’s use of Delcam’s PowerMILL and ArtCAM software in the manufacture of watches. In addition, speakers from IMTMA and TAGMA detailed how their associations were working with Delcam to improve skills and productivity within Indian manufacturing.

International customers that presented at the Summit were Jason Hogan from 360 Knee Systems, who described his company’s use of Delcam software in the manufacture of bespoke systems for knee replacement surgery, and Craig Tanner from ASPETAR Sports Hospital, who talked about his work producing custom orthotic insoles for elite athletes with Delcam’s OrthoMODEL system.

Even so, the presentation that received the most interest from the audience was that by Prof. Karunakaran, from the Mechanical Engineering Department at IIT Bombay. He covered several projects on hybrid layer manufacturing using PowerMILL to program both additive manufacturing with different welding techniques and the subsequent machining of the welded structures into finished parts. For more information, visit www.delcam.com.

Friday, August 28, 2015

ODA Appoints Sergey Vishnevetsky as Director of Development

http://www.opendesign.com
PHOENIX, AZ, Aug 28, 2015 - Open Design Alliance (ODA) announced the appointment of Sergey Vishnevetsky as its new Director of Development.

Vishnevetsky joined the ODA in 2002 as a software developer and was involved in the early stages of the Teigha platform, before its first release. His ability to solve engineering problems along with his technical knowledge and experience led to his appointment as Development Manager in 2013.

“I have gained great satisfaction from addressing complex development tasks and enabling the ODA to bring the Teigha project from concept through to a mature and widely used product,” he said. “I enjoy the fact that my job demands creative vision as well as organizational management and team leadership.”

ODA President, Neil Peterson, said “Sergey has a thorough understanding of system analysis, design and testing plus solid experience in CAD application development. In addition he has built a high-performance development team, which focuses on the strategic aspects of software development as well as urgent day-to-day-tasks.”

Before joining the ODA Vishnevetsky worked on various research and development projects in the areas of visual representation and data storage. He has extensive experience of software optimization, working with a range of platforms and languages. His areas of knowledge include the full software life cycle process; object oriented analysis and design; Agile software development; and CAD.

For more information, visit http://www.opendesign.com.

IMSI/Design Ships TurboCAD LTE Pro v8

http://www.imsidesign.com
NOVATO, CA, USA, Aug 28, 2015 - IMSI/Design, a leading software provider and developer of the #1 best-selling CAD in retail, announced the release of TurboCAD LTE Pro version 8 for Windows 10. TurboCAD LTE Pro 8 is a major update to the professional 2.5D CAD solution that works like AutoCAD LT, with similar UI, command line, and support for .DWG, but boasts many additional, innovative features. A new customizable object manipulation tool, IFC import, and improved roof tools are among dozens of new and improved features. A video is available at http://youtu.be/d3GW1tL5Tr0

“TurboCAD LTE Pro continues to be a robust CAD alternative or companion product for professionals, especially those users familiar with AutoCAD products and looking for common architectural and mechanical design features”, stated Bob Mayer, President of IMSI/Design. “This is our first TurboCAD release since the release of Windows 10 and we believe customers will find LTE’s performance is really optimized under the new OS”, added Mayer.” TurboCAD LTE Pro version 8 also supports Windows 8, 7, and Vista.

TurboCAD LTE Pro V8 new and improved features include:

Architectural / Simple BIM
  • New IFC Import: Simple Building Information Modeling (BIM) is now more advanced with the ability to import intelligent Walls, Doors, Windows, Slabs and Roofs saved in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format, the industry standard for BIM information.
  • Improve Roof Angles: TurboCAD now makes it easy to control the rise/run and/or degrees of a roof angle.
  • New Slab Roof Object Types: TurboCAD now allows users to make a roof slab object type. With one slab, you can quickly create a flat roof, or use in conjunction with new roof angles, mitering, and edge cut tools to join several slabs together and create nearly any roof style.
  • New Mitering of Roof Slabs: Select two or more roof slabs and have them “meet” automatically.
  • New Roof Edge Cut Orientation: A new “Edge cut” roof property for roof slabs allows users to select different methods of roof building, either plumb or square.
  • Improved Roof Modifier: Now you can quickly create holes in roofs for chimney’s, skylights, etc. and trim edges of roofs. 
Productivity and Usability Enhancements 
  • New Conceptual Selector: Manipulate and modify 3D objects like never before. The totally flexible design of Conceptual Selector allows users to customize any visual and editing parameters available in the application (eg. Move, scale, or rotate).
  • Improved Nudge: The TurboCAD Nudge function now offers more efficient pick-up and placement of selected object(s) using the numbers pad.
  • Improved Block/Group Editing: While in block/group edit mode, users can now snap to objects outside the block or group.
  • More Flexible UI: Users can now re-size dialog boxes as needed for their design environment. Adjust the screen size, resolution, and more. Works with the majority of dialog boxes including general property pages, multiline text, dimensions, program setup, and Drawing options pages.
  • New Contact Manager & File Sharing: Users now have the ability to create and maintain contact lists and send files to individuals or groups from within TurboCAD.
  • New Backup Open Documents On Program Close: New default option automatically saves any modified documents you have open when the program closes, and then reloads when the program is next opened.
  • New Untitled Documents: Documents that you have created and not saved are backed up using the name "Untitled" followed by a number and the date/time.
  • New File Buffer: New option to save the Undo/Redo buffer of a file when it closes. The buffer is re-loaded when the file is reopened, to be used from the last point. 
Rendering and Visualization
  • Improved RedSDK Rendering: Updated engine (to v3.5.0.2) and new displacement shader for more realistic materials.
  • Dynamic Cutaway Plane: Cut away plane, for looking inside a 3D model, works in draft mode, in mixed draft and wireframe, and in mixed draft and hidden line modes. 
Drafting and Detailing
  • Improved Format Painter Tool: Use the Format Painter to transfer Custom Properties and Property Set Definitions (PSD) from one object to another. This huge productivity improvement is also a crucial feature for extending BIM/IFC models.
  • New Dimension Units Format ‘By Drawing’: Users can now globally define dimension units at the drawing level.
  • Improved Dimension Text: Dimension Text can be set to non-rotatable. With this property selected, dimension text will always face the user no matter the orientation of the drawing.
  • Sorted Layers in Drop Down Lists: The Layers in the drop down and simple lists are now sorted as per the Design Director. If you change the control view order in Design Director the same ordering will be in all other Layer controls.
  • Improved Trim Tools: New ability to trim hatched or closed objects and maintain the hatch or closure.
  • Improved Join Polyline Tool: The Join Polyline Tool now works on Beziers and splines without converting them to a polyline, so that their original curve status is maintained. 
Interoperability 
  • Improved AutoCAD (DWG/DXF): Read/write filters for 2013-2015. Dynamic blocks are imported as simple blocks.
  • New SketchUp (SKP): Read/write filter based on SketchUp 2015. 
Availability and Pricing

TurboCAD LTE Pro version 8 has a suggested retail price of $299.99 and is now available. Also available is TurboCAD LTE with a suggest retail price of $149.99. Upgrade pricing is also available to previous owners of TurboCAD LTE. For more information, visit www.TurboCAD.com or call IMSI/Design at 1.800.833.8082 (+1.415.483.8000).

About IMSI/Design

IMSI/Design is the global leader in retail CAD (Computer Aided Design) and home design desktop software, and a pioneer in mobile solutions for the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) industry. With over 16 million products distributed since 1988, IMSI/Design products include the award-winning TurboCAD, DesignCAD, TurboFloorPlan, TurboViewer, and TurboSite families of precision design applications for desktop and mobile. For more information, visit www.IMSIdesign.com.

CNC Reorganizes Educational Division

http://www.mastercam.com
TOLLAND, CT, USA, Aug 28, 2015 - CNC Software, Inc.’s dedicated educational division recently underwent organizational changes designed to better align it with the needs of the industry it serves. Effective July 1, 2015, the group of four representatives housed in the Gig Harbor, WA office report to divisional leaders located in the Tolland, CT headquarters.

“This is an exciting quarter as it marks the official integration of our educational division into our corporate office. It is more important than ever that we continue to respond to the needs of the educational industry since they are helping to develop the future of manufacturing.” President Meghan Summers West said. “We made a strategic decision to align this division even closer with the rest of our company. Previously, our educational group worked as a standalone department, but now it has been integrated into our main organization, allowing us to allocate even more resources to our educational ventures.”

Dan Newby, who had previously served as the Educational Sales Manager for over 27 years, will report to Doug Nemeth, Director of Sales for North America and Europe, and will continue his work as Educational Territory Manager. He will now have additional and increased support combining efforts from the entire corporate sales department. Other staff onsite in Gig Harbor will report to respective department managers in Tolland, CT.

“I’m excited about this change because it means we’ll be able to better understand and respond to the needs of all of our customers – whether they are in the educational or industrial arena,” Doug Nemeth said. “By integrating both divisions, we can leverage the expertise and experience of our entire staff and continue to lead the way when it comes to preparing students for jobs in manufacturing.”

CNC Software’s commitment to the educational industry is evident in its devotion to exciting and engaging educators and students to help develop future machinists, engineers, and programmers. According to the most recent analysis of CAM software seats produced by CIMdata, Inc., CNC Software’s Mastercam is the world's most widely used CAM software in both industrial and educational settings. With over 100,000 paid, installed educational seats worldwide, Mastercam has nearly twice the installed base of the closest competitor.

For more information about CNC Software, Inc. and/or its product Mastercam, visit www.mastercam.com or call 800-228-2877. Outside of the USA, call 011-860-875-5006.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Pointwise, Sculptor, OpenFOAM Webinar on 15 Sep, 10AM CDT

www.pointwise.com
FORT WORTH, TX, USA, Aug 27, 2015 - Pointwise and Optimal Solutions will present a webinar entitled “Automotive Design Optimization using Pointwise, Sculptor, and OpenFOAM” on 15 September at 10 a.m. CDT (GMT - 5).

High quality meshing coupled with robust shape deformation techniques enable large design space exploration for optimization without the need to remesh the geometry. To demonstrate this, we introduce a collection of best practices for cleaning complex analytic CAD encountered in the automotive industry and demonstrate a robust meshing technology in Pointwise that can automatically generate high quality boundary layer resolved meshes that retain their quality when morphed by Optimal Solutions' Sculptor during the optimization process.

Hybrid volume mesh generated for the full DrivAer model using Pointwise's T-Rex with cells colored by  volume.

The case study for this work is the DrivAer model developed by the Institute of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics at the Technische Universität München. Using this geometry, we demonstrate a technique called Solid Meshing to heal faults in the geometry and recover the original engineering intent and when coupled with T-Rex (anisotropic tetrahedral extrusion) enables automated, high quality volumetric grid generation.

Using the DrivAer mesh, we define a set of volumetric shape deformations using few design variables within Sculptor. A technology called Arbitrary Shape Deformation is used to smoothly morph the nodes of the mesh that are inside of the volumetric deformation space. Even for large deformations, this technology can maintain surface boundary layer thickness and orientation.

By eliminating the requirement to remesh after each volumetric deformation, solution changes are minimized and primarily subjected to the changes seen by the OpenFOAM flow results due to model differences. Also, all tools have been coupled to form an automated optimization framework making it possible to find the subtle shape changes that produce large improvements in design performance.

This webinar will demonstrate how to
  • Quickly clean up and organize dirty CAD using Solid Meshing.
  • Generate a high quality surface and volume mesh using T-Rex.
  • Save time by directly examining grid quality metrics within Pointwise.
  • Export grid and boundary conditions in native OpenFOAM format.
  • Easily define shape deformation control points using Sculptor.
Presenters will be Pointwise's Travis Carrigan and Mark Landon from Optimal Solutions.

Mark Landon is the Chief Technology Officer and founder of Optimal Solutions software. He is the architect of Sculptor, a program for morphing CAD, CFD, FEA, geometry and shape optimization. Dr. Landon holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Structural Mechanics from Brigham Young University (1989). He has also been an Adjunct Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Colorado, the University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, a Senior Advisory Engineer at the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (1993 to 2011). Previous employment includes working on the Space Shuttle Main Engines and performing aerodynamics shape optimization of supersonic and hypersonic vehicles for DOD & NASA. 

For more information or to register, go to www.pointwise.com/webinar.

About Pointwise, Inc.

Pointwise, Inc. is solving the top problem facing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) today - reliably generating high-fidelity meshes. The company's Pointwise software generates structured, unstructured and hybrid meshes; interfaces with CFD solvers, such as ANSYS FLUENT, STAR-CCM+, ANSYS CFX, OpenFOAM, and SU2 as well as many neutral formats, such as CGNS; runs on Windows (Intel and AMD), Linux (Intel and AMD), and Mac, and has a scripting language, Glyph, that can automate CFD meshing. Large manufacturing firms and research organizations worldwide rely on Pointwise as their complete CFD preprocessing solution. For more information, visit www.pointwise.com.

About Optimal Solutions

Optimal Solutions' flagship product Sculptor provides innovative, proprietary technology, Arbitrary Shape Deformation, so engineers can deliver improved/optimized designs for many applications in less time than using traditional methods. Sculptor gives the engineer the tools to morph CAD, FEA, multi-physics CAE, CFD, or other geometric numerical models to find those subtle changes that create substantial improvements in design performance. Sculptor has an internal Optimization Control Center or it can be linked to most commercial and governmental optimization codes to fully automate the analysis/optimization process. Design of Experiments with Surface Response Methodology with graphics can be used to quickly explore and visualize the design space. Multiple Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization, fluid structure interaction, Shape Matching, and applying the deformations on the original CAD models are just a few of the areas where Sculptor has been used by many of the world's leading institutions. For more information, visit http://gosculptor.com/.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Delcam to Preview PartBuilder for Additive Manufacturing at TCT

http://www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Aug 26, 2015 - Delcam will preview its new set of pre-processing software tools for manufacture by 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing at the TCT Show to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, on 30th September and 1st October. The PartBuilder software, which is currently under development at Delcam’s Birmingham headquarters, will provides quick and easy methods to prepare for production CAD files from both native and neutral formats.


PartBuilder covers four main steps in model preparation:
  1. Checking the quality of the CAD model and repairing any problems it might have
  2. Positioning the part in the optimum orientation for layer-by-layer manufacture
  3. Addition of any fixtures, supports and other geometry that might be required to ensure reliable manufacture and easier post-processing
  4. Exporting the complete data in a suitable file format for manufacture

At the start of the process, PartBuilder undertakes an analysis of the imported CAD model to verify the quality of the incoming design and so give the best possible chance of successful manufacture. Common problems in either solid models or mesh files, such as gaps or overlaps in the data, can be identified and repaired to give a water-tight CAD file that will generate an accurate and successful part.

The CAD model is then positioned within the machine envelope, either for manufacture as a single item or as part of a group of components that will be built simultaneously. Orienting the model on the build platform must consider a number of factors, including production time and cost, fixturing quality, heat effects and any critical areas of the part. PartBuilder allows the user to accept the optimized suggestions made automatically by the software or to try a variety of manually selected orientations.

Fixturing can then be created in PartBuilder that may be required for a number of reasons, the most important being the need to support the mass of the part during the build. Fixtures are also used to transfer heat away from the part so that thermal and mechanical stresses are minimized.

PartBuilder is able to analyze the model to identify critical areas that need fixtures to ensure geometric stability during the build and adequate heat management, and to generate the geometry required. As with the part orientation, the user has the ability to edit the suggested results manually if required.

The positioning of the fixtures also needs to take account of their removal after the build, both to ease their removal and to minimize any witness marks or scars that may be left on the part.

In addition to fixtures, other geometry types may need to be added, such as spigots to grip the part during polishing and other finishing operations, or datum tabs to provide a known location for finish machining programs.

The final stage is the export the complete model from PartBuilder in a suitable data file format for the 3D Printer or AM equipment. PartBuilder can output models in a growing range of manufacturers’ proprietary file formats, including CLI data for EOS machines and MTT data for Renishaw equipment, as well as STL mesh data that can be processed directly by most additive machines’ own software. For more information, visit http://www.delcam.com.

Autodesk Offers Inventor 2016 Guided Tutorials

www.autodesk.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Autodesk announces additional guided tutorials for Inventor 2016. These tutorials runs inside the Inventor application and leads you through tutorials in a side panel with step by step video, supporting text and model files, and in-canvas visual clues linked to the text.
 
For further information and to download these additional guided tutorials, click here

Autodesk Offers A360 Collaboration v2 Add-on for Revit 2016

www.autodesk.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Autodesk has released version 2.0 of Autodesk A360 Collaboration, an add-on for Revit 2016. 

It connects project teams with centralized access to BIM project data in the cloud. It will also stays you connected in real time using the Communicator chat tool within models. With Revit software and Autodesk A360 integration, Collaboration for Revit enables the entire project team to work on shared building information models.

For further information and to download, click here.

Autodesk Maya 2016 SP2 Available

www.autodesk.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Autodesk Inc., makes available a new service pack v2.0 to its product, Autodesk Maya 2016. This update includes several important fixes.

For more information, readme file and to download this update, click here.

Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2016 SP1 Available

www.autodesk.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Autodesk Inc., makes available a new service pack v1.0 to its product, AutoCAD Map 3D 2016, which fixes and addresses a variety of issues.

For more information, readme file and to download this update, click here.

Autodesk 3ds Max 2016 SP1 Available

www.autodesk.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Autodesk has released Autodesk 3ds Max 2016 Service Pack 1.0, which fixes and addresses a variety of issues.

For further information and to download, click here.

MecSoft Releases Service Packs for All Its 2015 Products

http://www.mecsoft.com
IRVINE, CA, USA, Aug 26, 2015 - MecSoft Corporation, the developer of computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software solutions, has announced service pack releases for all of its 2015 versions of CAM and 3DPRINT products.

“We have released service packs for all our 2015 products to fix issues discovered by our customers and also to add some minor enhancements,” stated Uday Honnalagere, Support Manager for MecSoft Corporation. “All products have undergone rigorous testing and we are proud to announce that these are the best quality products that we have released thus far”.

Free demo software of all of our products can be downloaded at http://mecsoft.com/downloaddemos/.

About MecSoft Corporation

Headquartered in Irvine, California, MecSoft Corporation is a worldwide leader in providing Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software solutions, addressing both Additive and Subtractive manufacturing technologies, for the small to mid-market segments. These solutions include products VisualCAD/CAM/3DPRINT, VisualCAM for SOLIDWORKS, RhinoCAM & Rhino3DPRINT and VisualCAM for Geomagic. These software products deliver powerful, easy-to-use and affordable solutions for users in the custom manufacturing, rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, mold making, aerospace, automotive, tool & die, woodworking, and education industries. For more information, visit www.mecsoft.com or call (949) 654-8163.

Dassault CATIA Composer R2016 Refresh2 Program Directory Available

http://www.3ds.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Dassault CATIA Composer R2016 Refresh2 program directory is now available online.

Note: *DS Passport (Sign up) required!

Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE R2015x Update 3 Program Directory Available

www.3ds.com
Aug 26, 2015 - Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE R2015x Update 03 (FP1532) program directory is now available online.

Note: *DS Passport (Sign up) required!

PartMaker to Discontinue 32-bit Support in 2016

www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Aug 26, 2015 - Delcam's PartMaker announces that it will discontinue its 32-bit support in 2016. According to a Delcam source page, which reads:

"PartMaker Version 2016, due out in December 2015, will no longer support 32-bit PCs and will only work with 64-bit Windows PCs. We are making this announcement now to give all of the members of the PartMaker user community plenty of notice for this change. This move is consistent with those being made by other high-end engineering systems in order to stay current with the latest technology."

Delcam for SolidWorks 2015 R3 Service Pack 3 Released

www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Aug 26, 2015 - Delcam for SolidWorks 2015 R3 Service Pack 3 is released.

To know more about the new features and the enhancements included in Delcam for SolidWorks 2015 R3 SP3 and to download, click here. (*Note: Log-in required!)

Delcam PowerSHAPE-e 2015 R2 Available

www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Aug 26, 2015 - Delcam releases PowerSHAPE-e 2015 R2.

To know more about the new features and the enhancements included in PowerSHAPE-e 2015 R2 and to download, click here.

Delcam PowerMILL 2015 R2 SP7 Available

www.delcam.com
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Aug 26, 2015 - Delcam releases PowerMILL 2015 R2 Service Pack 7.

To know more about the new features and the enhancements included in PowerMILL 2015 R2 SP7, click here.

To download this service pack, visit http://updates.delcam.com. (*Note: Log-in required!)

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

CD-adapco to Host STAR Global Conference 2016 at Prague

www.cd-adapco.com
NEW YORK, USA and LONDON, UK, Aug 25, 2015 - CD-adapco, the largest privately held CFD-focused provider of Computer Aided Engineering software, announced that STAR Global Conference 2016 will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, and is now accepting presentation abstracts for the event. “Discover Better Designs. Faster,” will be the focus of this exclusive three-day event scheduled for March 7-9, 2016, that serves as the official launch release of STAR-CCM+ v11, the latest version of CD-adapco’s flagship engineering software tool.


The simulation business is evolving at an accelerated rate. At STAR Global Conference 2016, CD-adapco will be unveiling its new Computational Solid Mechanics capability that brings structural mechanics to the STAR-CCM+ toolbox, and diving further into the world of Multidisciplinary Design eXploration (MDX), with the aim of enabling users to “Discover Better Designs. Faster.”

This is one of the most important gatherings of CFD and simulation engineers spanning all of industry. Top engineers from around the world will assemble in Prague for SGC 2016 to explore the latest developments in engineering simulation technology and discuss how it can be deployed to solve industrial problems, reduce costs and empower innovation on a global scale.

CD-adapco invites all attendees to a complimentary day of STAR-CCM+ v11 Orientation Training on March 9, 2016, which includes full access to exclusive hands-on sessions, “Approaches to Multidisciplinary Design eXploration” and “Meshing Best Practices.”

Presenters interested in participating at this year’s conference may submit a short abstract along with a 20-minute presentation that should describe how he or she is using CD-adapco’s simulation tools to “Deliver Better Designs. Faster.” For more information, visit our SGC 2016 presenters page at www.star-global-conference.com.

Early registrants can bring a colleague to SGC 2016 free of charge (EUR 495 value), and presenters will receive complimentary admission. There are also student discounts available. For more information, visit www.star-global-conference.com.

About CD-adapco

CD-adapco is the world's largest independent CFD-focused CAE provider. Our core products are the technology-leading simulation packages, STAR-CCM+ and STAR-CD. The scope of our activities, however, extends well beyond CFD software development to encompass a wide range of CAE engineering services in fluid dynamics, heat transfer and structural engineering. Our ongoing mission is to "inspire innovation and reduce costs through the application of engineering simulation software and services."

A privately owned company, CD-adapco has maintained 15% organic year-on-year growth over the last 5 years. CD-adapco employs 900 talented individuals, working at 40 different offices across the globe. For more information, visit www.cd-adapco.com.

ZW3D Celebrates 30th Anniversary

http://www.zwsoft.com
GUANGZHOU, China, Aug 25, 2015 - ZW3D, one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced CAD/CAM solutions for the manufacturing industry, today announced the 30th anniversary of ZW3D CAD/CAM. It’s an occasion to step back and record and also an occasion to muse on the next thirty years ahead.

“30 is an age of vitality and energy for humans, almost vintage for a car, an eternity for an ant and next to nothing for a star…” said Mark Vorwaller, President of ZWSOFT America. “I think, what 30 means to us is the amazing amount of experience that we’ve gathered - 30 years of global partnerships, 30 years of services & 30 years spent on collaboration and invention.”


Back in 1986, ZW3D, developed by Mark as ModelMATE, was one of the 1st commercial PC-based solid modelers. In 1999, Solid-Surface Hybrid Modeling technology, one of the most revolutionary developments in ZW3D, was added, bringing the first hybrid modeler to the industry. This technology eliminates the boundaries between solid and surface modeling, making solid features feasible on surface as well.


“Aesthetics are becoming increasingly important even with industrial products. The ZW3D hybrid modeling is packed with surfacing capabilities we need for the smoothly-contoured designs required for a product like the Power Cap,” said Mark Williams, R&D Manager at Johnstone Safety Products Ltd. “ZW3D really helped us to design this product to not only work well but look best.”

Later on, via a successful alliance with SNK (SHIN NIPPON KOKI CO., LTD. ), a machine tool company, a turnkey solution for manufacturers was integrated. ZW3D had developed into one of the first design-through-manufacturing packages and was awarded “Gold Winner & Product of the Year” by NASA Tech Brief in 2002.


“With our purchase of ZW3D software, we are now designing parts in-house, which offers our customers a turnkey solution from product idea to manufacturing,” said Everton Cope, President of American Stove Parts.

Then, seven years later, Overdrive, ZW3D’s unique engine, was developed. “When it comes to modeling, the Overdrive kernel of ZW3D is among the fastest that I’ve ever seen,” said Atom Zhou, Product of Matsuya Machinery. “As for CAM functions, ZW3D reduces working hours and the amount of material consumed in production.”

Today, ZW3D incorporates with various partner applications, like TraceParts for parts library, FTI for sheet metal, Keyshot for rendering, Simwise for FEA & Eureka for machining etc., to break the limits of CAD/CAM.

“One of the greatest part of being involved in a company watching it grows is to see how ZW3D is used in every day work. It’s all around us and used to design and machine auto parts, consumer products, electrics, molds…” Said Colin Lin, Director of ZW3D Overseas Business. “It’s very exciting to know that we’ve been part of that.”


“The development process we are and will be using is similar to what we used 30 years ago: to listen to our users and partners, fillet out the good ideas from bad ones and make our software better,” added Colin. “In the years to come, ZW3D will be developing towards an ideal solution for middle CAD/CAM market.”

About ZW3D CAD/CAM

ZW3D is cost-effective CAD/CAM software for 3D modeling, mold design, and machining, which takes engineers from concept to finished product in one easy-to-use, single collaborative environment. For more information, visit http://www.zwsoft.com/ZW3D or follow ZWSOFT on Facebook.

ASCON Updates Renga Architecture for 3D AEC

http://ascon.net
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Aug 25, 2015 - ASCON Group, the developer and integrator of high-performance CAD/AEC/PLM software systems, is pleased to announce the second release of Renga Architecture, its 3D AEC CAD software platform. Newly added is the awaited API, along with building foundations, textures and renderings, and several other enhancements. This first update to Renga Architecture fulfills requests from many users.

The key milestone in the development of Renga Architecture is opening up its API (applications programming interface) to third-party developers. From now on individuals with some programming knowledge and professional software developers can create add-on applications for Renga Architecture.
New Rendering, Lighting, and Textures

One of the first wishlist items from users of Renga Architecture was for photorealistic visualization. Their wishes have been granted through the new Artisan Rendering module. A command in Renga Architecture synchronizes the model with Artisan Rendering, where users can apply textures, add lightning, and generate renderings of their 3D models.

The new rendering module at the same time is an example of how Renga Architecture's API quickly fulfills new feature requests from customers.




New Foundations and Improved Roofs
The set of building elements and structures created in Renga Architecture is supplemented now by freestanding and strip foundations. Users can now work on building projects at the “0” level.

Architects face tedious tasks when they design variations of roofs. One of the unique aspects of Renga Architecture is its new ability to construct roofs using similarity. In addition, they can now add openings for chimneys and ventilation ducts. Roof segments are created more quickly in the new release through indicators on existing walls and other objects.



ASCON Group is already working on more building elements for future releases of Renga Architecture. For the second half of 2016, the first module will be added: the new Renga Structure will contain all functions needed to design steel structures.



Additional Enhancements

In addition to the new features described above, the update to Renga Architecture offers users the following enhancements:
  • Editing reflections of objects' current level
  • Setting negative elevations relative to objects
  • Showing and hiding individual and groups of objects
  • Displaying properties of IFC objects
  • Importing materials from IFC objects


Upgrade Available Now

For users who have already purchased Renga Architecture, this new release is free. All customers receive all updates free in the first year following a license purchase.

Until the end of 2016, the promotional price for Renga Architecture is 1,599 Euro. Registered users of any version of all competitive 2D/3D CAD programs can receive a discount of up to 50%. For more information, contact contact@ascon.net.

To download a 60-day free trial version of the Renga Architecture, visit rengacad.com

ASCON Releases Pilot-ICE for Data Management

http://ascon.net
ST, PETERSBURG, Russia, Aug 25, 2015 - ASCON Group, the developer and integrator of high-performance CAD/AEC/PLM software systems, is pleased to release Pilot-ICE, the brand new solution to design management and enterprise content management problems. Meant for design firms, architectural studios, project offices, and the design departments of industrial firms, the unique technology behind Pilot-ICE enables firms to store, track, and analyze project data. As well, Pilot-ICE improves collaboration between companies and their customers and sub-contractors.

Pilot-Ice is an excellent solution for design firms not yet using EDMS (engineering data management systems), or have so far refused to use them because of the cost of implementation and maintenance, or due to the requirement of IT specialists. The new Pilot-ICE solution from ASCON Group suits these firms, because they benefit from an “out of the box” experience, without the long times and costs of implementation.

The Unique Benefits to Pilot-ICE

Pilot-ICE's new approach to working with data uses a virtual cache drive on a virtual file system called Pilot-Storage. The file system becomes visible to all connected computers immediately after Pilot-ICE is installed. The installation itself is so easy that the full process takes fewer than ten minutes.

All work is carried out through the virtual cache drive, the contents of which are synchronized automatically with the server. The most significant aspect of the virtual approach is that the drive works independent of the server, and so does not depend on the constant availability of a network or even a steady connection to the server. Users work with the virtual drive like a regular hard disk, and so can immediately share files without saving copies or creating network folders.

About Pilot-ICE and Pilot-Storage


Pilot-ICE provides the tools needed to track multiple disciplines during projects and for corporate content management. Users will be able to use projects or employees report data in their decision making process. Pilot-Ice helps designers to successfully organize collaborative workflows for document creation. With the help of Pilot-Ice, users can track and record design efforts and share best practices.

Our Pilot-Storage system makes it easy to manage and control user data, while continuing to work without an Internet connection or server access, and to access effective technical support.

For More Information about Pilot-Ice, visit pilotems.com.

Vero Appoints Nick Spurrett as Regional Director Americas

http://www.verosoftware.com
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK, Aug 25, 2015 - Vero Software is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Spurrett, an experienced and valued member of the Vero team, to the role of Regional Director – Americas. In his new role, effective immediately, Spurrett oversees all sales and support operations for Vero’s CAD/CAM solutions in the Americas.

Announcing the appointment, Vero Software CEO Steve Sivitter commented, “Nick is in his sixteenth year with Vero, having started as a European sales manager for our Edgecam brand. Since then, he’s held increasingly senior positions in the company. Since 2011, he has been the General Manager for Alphacam, for which he successfully built upon all aspects of business, resulting in significant sales growth. We are confident that Nick’s knowledge and energy will further accelerate our growth in these important markets for Vero.”

Nick is already applying his considerable expertise to a market ripe for growth, and one of his objectives is to inform manufacturers in the Americas that Vero is adept at serving diverse and continuously evolving needs.

“I am delighted to be joining an already very successful team,” Nick says of his new position. “With the opportunity the America’s offer Vero Software, I am looking forward to making sure that, when a prospect thinks of CAD/CAM, they think of Vero. With our breadth of world-leading CAD/CAM solutions, Vero Software is able to offer manufacturers the correct solution for their exact needs.”

Vero Software is growing quickly, and seeks to expand its thriving workforce. If you’re interested in being a member of our successful team, please send your resume to Dawn House at dawn.house@verosoftware.com.

About Vero Software

Vero sells and supports its range of products through its direct offices in the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, USA, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea and China, and through a comprehensive global reseller network across more than 45 countries.

Vero is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B), a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualization technologies that enable customers to design, measure and position objects, and process and present data.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Nemetschek Launches Free Conference Pass Giveaway Program for Students

www.vectorworks.net
COLUMBIA, MD, USA, Aug 24, 2015 - Global design software developer Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is committed to educating the next generation of emerging professionals because the future of creative design depends on their success. To help fulfill that mission, the company is awarding free conference passes and hotel stays to students who enter its Conference Pass Giveaway program. Winning students will gain industry knowledge and establish professional connections by attending one of three major industry conferences: 

(Click to see)
  • Live Design International (LDI) 2015, October 19-25, 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, attracts over 10,000 design professionals working in theatre, concerts, clubs, theme parks and houses of worship. The winner will see the latest gear in action and replenish their creativity. More than 350 companies exhibit, providing live demos and the opportunity for face-to-face discussions.
  • ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo, November 6-9, 2015 in Chicago, IL, is the largest tradeshow in the landscape architecture industry. With more than 500 exhibitors each year, it provides the opportunity for attendees to experience new products, services, technology applications and design solutions.
  • Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, November 18-20, 2015 in Washington, DC, offers three days of inspiring speakers, industry showcases, LEED workshops and tours of Washington, DC’s green buildings. The event is the largest green building conference and expo in the world and is the premier event where designers renew their commitment to sustainable building.
For a chance to win a free registration and hotel stay at one of these three events, interested students must “Like” Vectorworks on Facebook, as well as write a 300- to 500-word statement about why they want to attend a specific conference and how they believe it will benefit them professionally. The program is open to U.S. students only. Applicants do not have to currently use a Vectorworks software program in order to be eligible.

“LDI, ASLA and Greenbuild are the perfect platforms for students to deepen their knowledge of their chosen craft while networking with world-renowned experts,” said Alice Lowy, U.S. marketing manager at Nemetschek Vectorworks. “We therefore provide a fun, easy way for students to attend these events for free and enable them to propel their skills forward while learning about exciting developments in the design industry.”

Students may visit http://www.vectorworks.net/conference-pass to read the entry rules and submit applications, which are due September 7, 2015.

Stay informed about all of Nemetschek Vectorworks’ academic initiatives, including the Vectorworks Design Scholarship and free students software downloads, at www.vectorworks.net/education.

About Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.

Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is the developer of Vectorworks software, a line of industry-specific CAD and BIM solutions that allow designers to easily capture, develop and communicate their ideas with accuracy and efficiency. With more than half a million users around the world, Vectorworks software is a global leader in 3D design technologies for the AEC, landscape and entertainment industries. Nemetschek Vectorworks was founded in 1985 and has been a part of The Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2000. For more information, visit www.vectorworks.net.

3D Systems Offers PlasticJet Printing Nylon Material for CubePro

www.3dsystems.com
ROCK HILL, SC, USA, Aug 24, 2015 - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced that it has expanded its PlasticJet Printing materials to include a new Nylon for the company’s flagship CubePro 3D printers. This engineering-grade performance material was developed for CubePro , bringing strength, flexibility and unparalleled durability to desktop production of functional parts for design, testing and small-scale manufacturing. Engineered with a blend that includes Nylon 6 and compatible with Infinity Rinse-Away water-soluble support material, Nylon for CubePro saves valuable design and process time and enables 3D printing of complex, articulated and fully assembled end-use parts.


Nylon for Cube Pro is delivered in a new Smart Cartridge that is equipped with a hydroscopic seal extending the material’s shelf life for up to 12 months. Nylon cartridges are priced at $149 each, and are available immediately on Cubify and through select distributors. Combining Nylon with Infinity Rinse-Away support inside the CubePro’s climate controlled chamber delivers the highest quality professional desktop 3D printing output every time.

Watch the Nylon Material Testing Grounds video to see the engineering-grade properties of this material put to the test.

“When prototyping my custom-built, visual effects robot I knew ABS would be strong enough for some fit testing; but when it got to doing the real work, the functional testing and ongoing use, I needed the strength and endurance that Nylon delivers,” says Luke Schantz, Technologist at SoftLayer. “I’ve used a lot of desktop 3D printers and a mix of materials on the market, but CubePro with Nylon is a product-material combination that is unmatched in performance.”

Beyond functional prototyping and test parts, Nylon’s strength and durability, combined with its smooth surface finish, allows CubePro owners to transform their desktop 3D printer into an economic tool for low volume, high value direct-manufacturing. For example, small businesses can readily produce several hundred precision parts to satisfy their monthly sales requirements using a bank of CubePro printers as an affordable flexible-manufacturing cell.

“We are thrilled to offer this long-awaited material to our core, desktop user base, empowering engineers, small businesses and start-ups alike with the most durable and high performing material for PlasticJet Printing,” said Peter Theran, Vice President, Global Consumer Products, 3DS. “Nylon for CubePro takes desktop 3D printing where it’s never gone before: into direct-manufacturing and end-use part production.”

Nylon for CubePro:

STRENGTH + FLEXIBILITY + DURABILITY: Print stronger, flexible and long-lasting prints:
  • Tensile Strength: 4,785 psi (pounds per square inch), with flexibility of a dog bone-like shape of 1/8th inch thick, ½ inch wide
  • Elongation at break value: 22 %, meaning 1 inch can stretch to 1.22 inches
  • Strength-to-weight ratio: 174 psi, for light and strong parts with honeycomb infill structure
  • Tensile Modulus: 248,005 psi
  • Flexural strength: 8,270 psi
  • Hardness, Shore D: 75 via needle penetration, meaning Nylon is as hard as a hardhat
QUALITY: Nylon’s strength and durability gives prints a smooth surface finish, ideal for parts requiring load bearing, base strength.

MATERIAL MEMORY: Tough as nails with flexibility enables Nylon prints to snap back to original form, adding both form and function to 3D prints with Nylon.

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D digital design and fabrication solutions available today, including 3D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. Its powerful ecosystem transforms entire industries by empowering professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life using its vast material selection, including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS’ leading personalized medicine capabilities save lives and include end-to-end simulation, training and planning, and printing of surgical instruments and devices for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D digital design, fabrication and inspection products provide seamless interoperability and incorporate the latest immersive computing technologies. 3DS’ products and services disrupt traditional methods, deliver improved results and empower its customers to manufacture the future now. For more information, visit www.3dsystems.com.