Lufthansa Technik #1 to Adopt EOS EOSTATE MeltPool

KRAILLING, Germany, Sep 29, 2016 - EOS announces, Lufthansa Technik is the first customer to acquire the entire EOSTATE MeltPool solution. At the end of last year, EOS, the global technology and quality leader for high-end solutions in the area of additive manufacturing (AM), introduced EOSTATE MeltPool, an extension for its EOS M 290 system for Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). It provides automated and intelligent process monitoring in real time - for every spot, every layer and every part. In this way, it creates the conditions for the automated monitoring of the melting pool. At the same time, it enables a view inside the part during the build process, as such paving the way for building an entirely new quality system in the future. 

EOS M 290 system for Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

Udo Behrendt, Key Account Manager at EOS said: “With Lufthansa Technik, we are pleased to welcome an innovative partner from the industry, with whom we will continue to develop our technology for the demanding requirements for the repair of aviation and aerospace components.”

Simon Feicks, Project Manager Additive Manufacturing, Engine Services at Lufthansa Technik, adds: “We selected the EOS solution for several reasons. The underlying metal system EOS M 290 impresses with its process stability. The technology has already proven itself with engine manufacturers. During the decision-making process, we were particularly impressed with this particular combination of EOS core competencies. On this basis, we will be preparing for future component generations that are optimised for Additive Manufacturing, so that we can continue to defend our leadership position in an intensely competitive environment.” 

The EOS powder-based process complements the already established Lufthansa Technik portfolio of Additive Manufacturing methods and in view of future engine components made with Additive Manufacturing represents an essential part of new repair processes. With EOSTATE MeltPool, the company is introducing a key quality management component to the process, which shall contribute to seamless quality control during the build process in the future. Compared to other Additive Manufacturing methods currently in use at Lufthansa Technik, the DMLS technology opens up a number of potentials that could not be implemented to date: for example, Netshape geometries and the realisation of internal cavities ideally complement the repair portfolio. 

In the engine segment, Lufthansa Technik focuses on a hybrid repair approach. Feicks explains that the company wants to get ready for the day when components from the new engine generation, which are made with Additive Manufacturing, arrive in the work shops for repairs, providing customers with cost-efficient and quality-optimised repairs. He adds: “We have already noticed initial successes in the jig department as we were able to reduce lead times and costs. Yet, this technology requires our mechanics, designers and engineers to think differently. It is precisely for this reason that, in addition to the installation of the system, the education and development of our employees forms a key component for the comprehensive use of industrial 3D printing.”

Feicks concludes: “Lufthansa Technik firmly believes that Additive Manufacturing is a technology of the future. It is time to change our way of thinking. Milling was yesterday. Today, parts are selectively built where it is needed. Resource efficiency also plays an important role. We do not want to be limited by tools any longer. The limits of production variance are shifting, and we are looking towards a future that we still have to comprehend.” 

About Lufthansa Technik

With more than 30 subsidiaries and affiliated companies and over 25,000 employees worldwide, the Lufthansa Technik group is one of the leading providers of technical aviation services. The Lufthansa Technik portfolio covers the entire service range for commercial aircraft, including maintenance, repairs, overhauling, modification and retrofitting, engines and components.

About EOS

Founded in 1989, EOS is the global technology and quality leader for high-end Additive Manufacturing (AM) solutions. As the leading pioneer of Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology, EOS also provides a unique polymer AM portfolio. For these industrial 3D Printing processes, EOS offers a modular solution portfolio including systems, software, materials, technical and consulting services. EOS is the partner of choice for industrial AM production, enabling sustainable solutions for the industry. Customers utilizing EOS AM solutions gain many benefits from the paradigm-shifting technology: lightweight structures, cost reduction based on functional integration, individualization as well as accelerated product development and production.  For more information, visit, www.eos.info.

Cadig Releases AutoAttribute 9.0 for AutoCAD

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, USA, Sep 29, 2016 - Cadig Inc. announces the release of AutoAttribute 9.0 for AutoCAD.

AutoAttribute is designed to link, import, insert the AutoCAD Attributes from Excel spreadsheet. It can make quick changes to the AutoCAD attributes of the block references in the multiple drawings. It can also insert the AutoCAD block references from Excel worksheet and import the AutoCAD attributes by a key attribute containing the unique values.

Key features in AutoAttribute 9.0 for AutoCAD include: 

• Sorts the attributes by Y coordinates when exporting the attributes.
• Sorts the attribute definitions in the header by X co-ordinaties when exporting the attributes.

To download AutoAttribute 9.0 for AutoCAD, click here. 

About Cadig Inc.

Established in 2005, Cadig Inc. is dedicated to providing effective and efficient AutoCAD Excel, MicroStation Excel Add-ons. For more information, visit http://www.cadig.com.

Cadig Releases AutoField v5.8 for AutoCAD, LT

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, USA, Sep 29, 2016 - Cadig Inc., announces the release of AutoField v5.8 for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT.

AutoField adds many efficient fields to AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. You can import the cells of Excel spread sheet as fields or attributes. And you can use field to count blocks (including AutoCAD dynamic blocks) or calculate the area and length of multiple objects. Also you can create the field based on a specific cell of AutoCAD native table and reference mtext, text or attribute of another drawing. With AutoField, you can use some Excel functions in AutoCAD fields.

Key features in AutoField v5.8 for AutoCAD, LT:

• Fixes several bugs.
• Shifts the cells of the Excel Cell fields in bulk.

To download AutoField v5.8 for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, click here. 

About Cadig Inc.

Established in 2005, Cadig Inc. is dedicated to providing effective and efficient AutoCAD Excel, MicroStation Excel Add-ons. For more information, visit http://www.cadig.com.

Gstarsoft Unveiled GstarCAD 2017 Beta

SUZHOU, China, Sep 28, 2016 - An innovative CAD provider Gstarsoft, developer of GstarCAD for CAD design and drafting, unveiled the Beta version of GstarCAD 2017. Design, share and visualize your CAD drawing is much better with GstarCAD 2017. Best-ever core performance, functionalities implementation and innovations are what this CAD platform offers. 

GstarCAD 2017 core’s performance improvement drastically reduces data processing and memory usage applied on frequently used objects like huge amount of blocks and hatches, allowing fast result when opening drawings, thus guarantees better operability of these objects. 

GstarCAD 2017 implements new and most compatible functionalities for a better drawing documentation such as Table (users can create/edit table and use its related commands), Hatch and Gradient Transparency, Flatshot, Edit Xref in-place, Wipeout and many other enhancements.

GstarCAD 2017 comes with value added innovative tools, easier to use, designed to simplify tedious and repetitive tasks such as drawing symmetrical objects, outlining perimeters, breaking objects in different methods, using a block reference to break or wipeout objects, and comparing drawings more accurate than before.

About GstarCAD

GstarCAD is the most DWG/DXF compatible CAD software solution used in many industries, empowered by a high performance engine with powerful functions and familiar interface allowing users design, document, share drawings much easier and port applications much faster.

About Gstarsoft

Gstarsoft is the recognized leading of 2D/3D CAD software solutions for industries involving AEC, Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Electronics, GIS, Survey, Mapping, etc. With more than 20 years of proud history of technology innovation and practical application, Gstarsoft provides the most powerful and dwg compatible CAD software and solutions for customers and partners worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gstarcad.net/ or follow GstarCAD on Facebook and Twitter.

Gstarsoft Releases GstarCAD Mechanical 2016 SP2

SUZHOU, China, Sep 28, 2016 - Gstarsoft announces the official launch of GstarCAD Mechanical 2016 SP2. GstarCAD Mechanical is a combination of CAD platform and professional mechanical design/drafting tools, which covers various fields of mechanical design. What is worth mentioning, it is the only CAD software in the world which is fully compatible with AutoCAD Mechanical. GstarCAD Mechanical 2016 SP2 includes many practical features. 

What’s new in GstarCAD Mechanical 2016?

• Compatibility - full data compatibility with AutoCAD Mechanical 2014 and 2015;
• FitsList - generate fits list from dimensions in drawing area and place it at selected location. After editing fits, you can choose to real-time update lists or later;
• Library - simplify the work of managing and using engineering drawing files;

• Mechanical Layer Manager - Do more compared with ordinary Layer Manager in CAD platform;

• More optimization and new function/commands added to save your time, like multiple Dimensions, Dimension Break, Detail View and Section Line, etc.

Then some users may question in what aspects make GstarCAD Mechanical an efficient tool, and why they should choose it. Here are some points for you to consider: 

Its seamless data exchange with AutoCAD Mechanical significantly reduces the losses of data. By keeping the similar operation habits, GstarCAD Mechanical is a much more cost effective alternative. GstarCAD Mechanical also provides international drafting standards like ANSI/BSI/CSN/DIN/GB/GOST/ISO/JIS that are customizable. The powerful dimension tools and rich symbols annotation can meet your needs for manufacturing design and drafting. Through the BOM, GstarCAD Mechanical is able to be integrated with other PDM or PLM systems like PTC.

About Gstarsoft

Gstarsoft is the recognized leading provider of 2D/3D CAD software and solutions for the industries involving AEC, mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, GIS, survey and mapping, civil, etc. GstarCAD have focused on developing highly .dwg-compatible CAD platform for over 20 years. Versions in 14 different languages sell in over 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gstarcad.net/ or follow GstarCAD on Facebook  and Twitter.

Chaos Group Offers Phoenix FD 3.0 Plug-in for 3ds Max

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Spe 28, 2016 - Chaos Group announces a major new release of its versatile, all-in-one fluid dynamics plug-in, Phoenix FD 3.0 for 3ds Max. Frequently used to simulate realistic water, fire, and other fluid effects for multiple television series such as Game of Thrones and The Flash, Phoenix FD has been significantly upgraded for fast-paced productions. With its new FLIP liquid solver and improved smoke and fire solver, Phoenix FD is now more powerful and able to bring more realism to visual effects projects.

Phoenix FD 3.0 for 3ds Max has been given a full makeover, with new intuitive controls, presets and GPU-accelerated previews, making it a fast and easy way to tackle tight deadlines. The new Phoenix FD integrates seamlessly into Autodesk 3ds Max and renders with V-Ray, Chaos Group’s industry-standard lighting and rendering solution.

“Phoenix FD is like a Swiss Army knife for effects. It can handle everything from flaming arrows and drops of water to erupting volcanoes or an armada of ships,” said Svetlin Nikolov, Phoenix FD Team Lead at Chaos Group. “It’s a handy tool that is fast and easy to use without being overly technical.”

"Phoenix FD is our go-to tool for fluid simulations," said Joern Grosshans, VFX Supervisor at Mackevision. "When working on the new season of 'Game of Thrones', we needed the wakes coming off the CG ships to look as realistic as possible. Phoenix FD proved to be reliable, fast, and seamlessly integrated into 3ds Max. It was exactly what we needed."

Highlights of Phoenix FD 3.0 for 3ds Max include:

1) Ocean simulations

• Infinite ocean – Create infinite ocean waves that never repeat.
• Ocean & beach waves – Seamlessly transition from procedural ocean waves to simulated beach waves.

2) Advanced simulations and controls

• FLIP solver – Enables faster, more realistic liquid simulations for splashes, sprays, foam, mist and waves.
• Improved fire and smoke solver – Realistic smoke and fire with natural rolling motion and fine details can be created without increasing resolution.
• Cascade simulations – Create a series of simulations that trigger and interact with each other.
• Refine existing simulations – Add detail and increase resolution without changing simulation shape or behavior.
• Simulation retiming – Speed up or slow down simulation playback, perfect for slow motion effects.
• Custom emission sources – Use a wide range of emission sources including animated meshes, texture maps, particles and more.
• New forces – Influence simulations with forces like wind, spline follow, and mesh attraction.

3) Pipeline and compatibility

• Compatibility – Compatible with top industry tools such as Alembic, Krakatoa, Stoke MX and OpenVDB.

Pricing & Availability

Phoenix FD 3.0 is available now for Autodesk 3ds Max and is a free upgrade for all Phoenix FD 2.x customers. A Phoenix FD 3.0 for 3ds Max Workstation license is $830 and includes one floating user license and one floating simulation license. Additional simulation licenses are available for $210. Contact sales@chaosgroup.com for volume discounts.

For more information about Phoenix FD, visit click here.

About Chaos Group

Chaos Group is a worldwide leader in computer graphics technology, helping artists and designers create photoreal imagery and animation for design, television, and feature films. Chaos Group specializes in physically-based rendering and simulation software used daily by top design studios, architectural firms, advertising agencies, and visual effects companies around the globe. Today, the company's research and development in cloud rendering, material scanning, and virtual reality is shaping the future of creative storytelling and digital design. Founded in 1997, Chaos Group is privately owned with offices in Sofia, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Seoul, and Tokyo. For more information, visit https://www.chaosgroup.com.

csimsoft Releases Trelis 16.1 for CFD, FEA

AMERICAN FORK, UT, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - csimsoft announces the release of version 16.1 of its Trelis mesh generation software for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). 

The new release includes the Smart Mesh Tool, which is a new Power Tool that allows the user to specify the meshing order that Trelis will use to mesh the model. By default, the Trelis auto scheme tries to all-hex mesh, then mix mesh, then tetmesh the model. Auto smoothing tries to shape poor elements.

Additional features include:

• Improved mesh scaling
• Copy Mesh functionality improvements
• New IMPETUS export
• New Model Tree
• Rubber-band selection using a sphere tool
• Improved tri and tet mesher

For more information about the new features of Trelis 16.1, click here.

About csimsoft

csimsoft is a leading developer of simulation tools for generating high-quality meshes for challenging computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis simulations. csimsoft was founded in 2004 to provide mesh generation tools for challenging simulations. The company is headquartered in Utah, USA. For more information, visit www.csimsoft.com.

Branch Tech Team Wins Pointwise Meshy Award

FORT WORTH, TX, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - Dr. C. Bruce Hilbert and Melody Rees of Branch Technology have been named recipients of the Pointwise Meshy Award for their 3D structured mesh of a pavilion. Their team at Branch Technology: Platt Boyd, Chris Weller, Marc Simons, Tony Disanto, Melody Rees and Dr. Hilbert brought to 3D life the winning 3D structure mesh. The pavilion is on view at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Hilbert was awarded the Meshy Award trophy and Melody Reese and his name were added to those of the previous winners on the trophy kept at Pointwise headquarters.

Additionally, the mesh was featured on T-shirts given to attendees at the Pointwise User Group Meeting 2016, where the winning mesh was announced.

The Meshy Award recognizes the most outstanding mesh generated using Pointwise. Entries are judged on visual appeal, originality and uniqueness.

Entries are showcased in a photo album on Pointwise's Facebook page.

“In years past, Meshy Award winners have demonstrated a strong mastery of the meshing tools available in Pointwise as well as a deep understanding of the complex fluid physics the mesh attempts to resolve,” said Dr. John Steinbrenner, vice president of research and development at Pointwise. “This year's winner, Dr. Bruce Hilbert of Branch Technologies, offers a mesh designed ultimately for aesthetic reasons. His multi-block structured mesh served as a demonstrator for a large-scale 3D printing process, the result of which resides as public art at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee. Congratulations to Dr. Hilbert on his innovative application of a computational mesh.”

Dr. Bruce Hilbert is currently the primary computational researcher at Branch Technology, Inc., a Chattanooga, Tennessee based startup that has developed the largest freeform 3D printer in the world. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in computational engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga under the tutelage of Pointwise's own Dr. Steve Karman. Bruce was previously a research associate at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga SimCenter and was the primary grid generator there for almost six years, working on traditional aircraft, turbomachinery, watercraft, fuel cells, waveguides and other projects. His doctoral research was in the field of tetrahedral meshing and he is currently researching grid sequencing for Branch's 3D printing process.

Melody Rees is an architectural designer with an expertise in digital fabrication and computational design. She is a former employee of Gensler New York with a graduate degree from University of Pennsylvania's School of Design. Melody is currently lead designer and project manager for Branch Technology.

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 pre-processing solution. For more information, visit www.pointwise.com.

Pointwise v18 Released for Surface Meshing in CFD

FORT WORTH, TX, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - Pointwise announces a major new release of its computational fluid dynamics (CFD) mesh generation software featuring unstructured quadrilateral surface meshing, unstructured hexahedral layer extrusion, and tetrahedral mesh clustering using sources.

Pointwise V18's new quad-dominant and hexahedral layer techniques were used to generate this hybrid mesh for the DrivAer automotive benchmark case. The off-body mesh is colored by cell volume. A clustering source has been placed behind the side mirror to resolve its wake flowfield.

“This latest release of Pointwise includes the broadest changes to the software's core meshing functionality since 2007 when we introduced our T-Rex technique for boundary layer resolving hybrid meshes,” said John Chawner, Pointwise's president. “The addition of quad-dominant surface meshing continues our work toward delivering tools that can generate higher quality meshes and do so faster than ever before.”

A new, unstructured, quad-dominant surface meshing technique complements Pointwise's industry-leading structured grid generation methods by providing a faster, more automated method for generating quadrilateral surface meshes. These surface meshes can then be used as the basis for Pointwise's T-Rex (anisotropic tetrahedral extrusion) technique for rapid generation of boundary layer resolving hexahedral layers.

Complementing the near-wall, boundary layer resolution provided by T-Rex, Pointwise V18 now includes geometry-based clustering sources for resolution of off-body flow features such as wakes and vortices.

Pointwise V18 also includes the ability to retain hybrid meshes in their mixed-cell format for mesh metric examination and other tasks, support for faceted geometry models with a mix of triangles and quadrilaterals, high resolution monitor support, and user interface improvements that span all aspects of the software's functionality.

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 pre-processing solution. For more information, visit www.pointwise.com.

3D Systems Launches Jaw in a Day Single Surgery Dental Rehabilitation

ROCK HILL, SC, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced the launch of Jaw in a Day, the latest addition to its VSP (Virtual Surgical Planning) Reconstruction product line. Enabled by 3D Systems’ healthcare expertise and proprietary digital-to-physical workflow, this patient-specific process enables surgeons to perform a full jaw reconstruction in a single surgery. This groundbreaking capability could spare patients from months of costly, painful and disruptive medical treatment.

Traditional dental rehabilitation requires multiple surgeries and persistent care over a 6-12 month period. This pattern of procedures often results in patients missing teeth, which introduces a variety of adverse aesthetic, functional, and psychological effects to the patient. This can in turn interfere with patients’ working and social lives throughout the course of treatment.

Jaw in a Day is a single surgery jaw and dental reconstruction enabled via 3D Systems’ VSP Reconstruction service. Surgeons work with 3D Systems engineers who utilize state-of the-art digital CAD/CAM technology to create a personalized surgical plan and design patient-specific surgical guides, models and instruments. These devices are then 3D printed and sterilized for reference and use during the unique procedure. Immediate placement of a provisional dental prosthesis eliminates the need for multiple surgeries, resulting in a complete dental reconstruction months before traditional treatment options.

Jaw in a Day offers treatment at a lower cost, with a quicker recovery period. Because patients are able to limit operating time to a single procedure, Jaw in a Day also reduces the chance of infection and complications that may inherently be more likely with the multiple surgeries of traditional treatment plans. According to David L. Hirsch, DDS, MD, Director of Oral Oncology & Reconstruction, Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health, and Co-Developer of Jaw in a Day, "This single-stage reconstruction technique has streamlined the treatment of my patients. It avoids multiple procedures, shaving months off the time required for full dental rehabilitation."

To watch Dr. Hirsch explain how Jaw in a Day is transforming jaw reconstruction, click here.

3D Systems will showcase Jaw in a Day at booth #706 at the AAOMS (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) 98th Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, Sep 21 - 23.

For more information on Jaw in a Day, click here.

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on-demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems’ precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30 year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models. For more information, visit www.3dsystems.com.

Dassault Launches Perfect Order for Mining Supply Chain Optimization

VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France and LAS VEGAS, NV, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - Dassault Systems (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announced the launch of “Perfect Order,” an industry solution experience for natural resources that helps mining companies improve supply chain efficiency and profitability. “Perfect Order” offers digital end-to-end supply chain management capabilities for more visibility, control and predictability across operations.

As mining companies strive to deliver commodity shipments to customers that are on time and meet quality specifications, an efficient and cost-effective supply chain is critical. However, lower commodity prices, more variable demand, and lower grade deposits are increasing supply chain complexity, making it harder for mining companies to meet customer contract requirements.

Based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and leveraging Quintiq supply chain planning and optimization capabilities, Dassault Systems’ “Perfect Order” industry solution experience offers mining companies a holistic view of what’s occurring throughout the supply chain, from infrastructure constraints and bottlenecks, to labor shortages or the financial impact of an operational change. In a digital environment, companies can plan across supply chain functions to ensure they meet forecast demand, visualize all activities in their supply networks and optimize the flow of goods, resulting in greater predictability for their business. 

“Mining companies are looking to experience the digital transformation that has brought operational stability, enterprise agility and improved business performance to other industries,” said Marni Rabassó, Vice President Natural Resources Industry, Dassault Systems. “Dassault Systems offers a diverse set of solutions to the mining industry that stems from decades of technological expertise. With ‘Perfect Order,’ mining companies will uncover hidden value in increased efficiency of the supply chain, which also improves the customers’ delivery experience.”

Specifically, the “Perfect Order” industry solution experience provides:

• A single source of truth that connects all planning decisions, from mine to port.
• Improved shipment forecasting and logistics planning integrating market demand forecasts, availability of commodities at mine sites, and the capacity of transport networks as well as predictive intelligence that leverages historical data and causal factors such as price and GDP. 
• Real-time key performance indicators on the impact of planning decisions that allow for rapid adjustments to be made to keep deliveries, specifications and budget on track. 
• Ability to match supply and demand to resource capacity, maximizing fulfillment of contracts and resulting in fewer penalties and an improved customer experience. 

“Perfect Order” will be presented at the Dassault Systems booth at MINExpo 2016, September 26-28 (booth 2453).

For more information about Dassault Systems’ industry solution experiences for natural resources, please visit http://www.3ds.com/industries/natural-resources

About Dassault Systems

Dassault Systems, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systems’ collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 210, 000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

Vectorworks 2017 Released for AEC, Landscape, Entertainment Design

COLUMBIA, MD, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. announces the 2017 release of its Vectorworks product line, which includes Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals. The English version is now available with 10 additional language releases planned during the worldwide rollout in the coming months.

“Vectorworks software is unique compared to other competing products because of our company’s dedication to pushing the programming of the products to maintain flexibility while offering state-of-the art technology,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “Our continued commitment to re-engineering parts of the code base enables Vectorworks products to constantly evolve with the demands of designers resulting in improved software performance, reliability and functionality.”

With 100-plus updates, some of the key features from the Vectorworks 2017 software line include the following:

• The new Resource Manager enables designers to create, find, edit and apply desired resources to their projects. Offering direct browsing of resources from multiple content locations, the new feature also includes all Vectorworks Service Select libraries for subscription users. Designers can now easily find what’s needed with powerful search and filtering, attach metadata tags and access resources directly with Vectorworks’ parametric tools.
• With advanced door and window object styles, architects have improved flexibility in their design processes when modifying the style, data and geometry of the doors and windows in their models and producing accurate worksheets in a few quick clicks. These improvements simplify BIM workflows and management of sweeping model changes.
• New irrigation tools streamline the site’s irrigation planning process, including considerations and calculations related to both its physical features and resource availability. The irrigation tool allows designers to create zones of similar watering needs with the new Hydrozone tool and then use built-in worksheets to analyze for water efficiency, making satisfying a site’s water budget allowance simple. Whether specifying lateral and main piping, sprinkler heads, drip systems, valves, controllers or other system components, the automated and manual placement methods meet industry standards while providing the flexibility to design, document and estimate proposed and as-built systems efficiently.
• Professionals can easily share designs with clients and collaborators using Vectorworks software’s immersive web view and virtual reality The feature generates a link that allows anyone, anywhere, to view and experience models in 3D on any device without any additional hardware.
• The Vectorworks Graphics Module has been re-engineered to enable smoother navigation and multi-threaded drawing for complex scenes.
• With the new cable tools created by Sam Jones of AutoPlot, designers can plan how cables will run and keep an accurate count of the number and types of cables for improved documentation and efficiency, making onsite setup easier.
• The Slab Drainage tool allows designers to create sloped slabs and flat roofs featuring tapered components. This feature will help inform design decisions, document all essential data and allow for easy change management across a given BIM design.
• In Vectorworks 2017, project sharing enhancements integrates customer feedback from its initial release in Vectorworks 2016 and frees designers to work anywhere at any time with cloud integration that allows them to save project files in Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive and Box. It also offers more options to customize multi-user workflows with the ability to check out individual objects or layers.
• New capabilities to data visualization in viewports bring together unparalleled graphic abilities with enhanced information modeling capabilities. It allows control of smart objects’ graphic attributes based upon data and parametric values, giving designers the ability to visually differentiate between objects based upon the data attached to an object.
• All Vectorworks software products now include Renderworks features powered by the Cinema 4D render engine to better visualize a model throughout the design process while producing clear and accurate illustrations and renderings.
• With a unified symbol library, the addition of fixture modes, enhanced Vision Data Export Mapping and a new Send to Vision command, designers will enjoy the benefits of a reduction in repetitive design tasks for pre-visualization workflows with Spotlight and Vision 2017 software.
• Previously only available to Vectorworks Service Select subscribers, Cloud Services is open for everyone, offering the ability to easily share files between team members and provide a simple interface for collaborators and clients to tour models using the mobile app, Vectorworks Nomad.

In line with Vectorworks’ customer-centric philosophy, once again over 70 percent of the version’s updates and features stemmed from direct designer feedback. Here are just a few testimonials about Vectorworks 2017 from designers who have already experienced the latest release.

“The new Resource Selector in the tool bar for the door, window, walls, Plant and many other tools is absolutely fantastic.” –Peter Neufeld of Limelight Lighting Design Pty Ltd, Sydney

“Irrigation tools in Vectorworks 2017 offer the easiest, fastest, most accurate system I have worked with, giving us a MASSIVE competitive advantage in the market. How could a firm consider any other software!” –Bryan Goff, Director of Design + Sciences at Grey Leaf Design

“I’m REALLY eager to put virtual reality in the hands of clients to enable them to experience design in a way not possible with static images.” –C. Andrew Dunning, Owner of Landru Design

“We’ve been very impressed by the increased speed of navigation using the improved Graphic Module in Vectorworks 2017, especially when designing and moving around in larger models. It’s a big BIM improvement for larger projects.” – Chad Hamilton, AIA, LEED, AP, Principal Architect at Hamilton Aitken Architects

Availability 

English-language version of Vectorworks 2017 software is available to Vectorworks Service Select customers by download. Shipping of the English-language version to all other customers had also began.

Designers can tune in to the upcoming “What’s New” webinars for insight regarding Architect on September 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Landmark on September 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. ET or Spotlight and Vision on September 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Registrants will receive the webinar recording on demand after the airing.

About Vectorworks, Inc. 

Vectorworks, Inc. is a global design and BIM software developer serving over 650,000 professionals in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. Since 1985, we’ve been committed to helping designers capture inspiration, nurture innovation, communicate effectively and bring their visions to life. With our cross-platform software, designers can build data-rich, visual models without sacrificing the design process, while collaborating efficiently throughout the project life-cycle. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Vectorworks is a part of the Nemetschek Group. For more information, visit www.vectorworks.net.

MSC Announces Apex Fossa for CAE

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - MSC Software Corporation announced the sixth release of MSC Apex, the company's next-generation Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) platform. MSC Apex Fossa is the winner of 13 product awards and 25 patent filings to date, is the result of 450+ man years of software development and is in use in over 300 companies' worldwide. Now on its sixth release, Apex has advanced from a highly productive model-preparation tool to a complete simulation system.

Redefining Vibrational Analysis

Examples of problems related to vibrations can be found everywhere. Vibration has to be addressed anytime a part or an assembly is subjected to a cyclic load, such as those found in cars, airplanes, consumer equipment, and so on. Currently, addressing these issues is a tedious trial-and-error process.

Apex Fossa allows design exploration to happen in the analysis result space, without having to go back to CAD and redesign the entire part or assembly. This dramatically reduces the time for a power-user to achieve the optimal solution (from days to hours) and democratizes vibrational analysis, making it accessible to more engineers.

Engineers can now see how a part or a structure responds to input parameters in real-time. Users can explore a large variety of "what if" scenarios, by adding or removing mass, damping or stiffness, as well as determine if they are observing a global or local behavior without leaving the Apex environment. This allows engineers to rapidly determine which part of the structure is not behaving as expected, and to quickly propose an effective solution.

Release Highlights:

• Modeling - Even more productivity can be achieved in geometry clean-up, mesh generation and clean-up. This includes new connections, loads and boundary conditions (such as local coordinate system, distributed coupling, moments and dynamic forces), new meshing enhancements, geometry tools (such as slicing mirroring and Boolean operators), and additional export formats.
• Simulation - Computational parts-based generative framework has been extended from linear statics to now include the first phase of dynamics, Frequency Response. This includes Structural, Modal, and Material Damping, Multi-Step Analysis, Point Sensor, XY-Plotting and Frequency Response results exploration.
• Extensibility- Initial Python scripting capability is introduced in Apex Fossa. Python API has been carefully designed for compliance with Python standards. The API is based on true Python idioms and uses built-in, native Python data structures. The Python community of rich libraries makes customization powerful and easy.

Apex Fossa makes the CAD-to-Mesh process radically faster, gives more engineers access to frequency response analysis and makes the overall FEA process more effective, more efficient and more enjoyable. 

Availability

Apex Fossa will be available for general release at the end of September.

About MSC Software

MSC Software is one of the ten original software companies and a global leader in helping product manufacturers to advance their engineering methods with simulation software and services. As a trusted partner, MSC Software helps companies improve quality, save time, and reduce costs associated with design and test of manufactured products. Academic institutions, researchers, and students employ MSC's technology to expand individual knowledge as well as expand the horizon of simulation. MSC Software employs 1,200 professionals in 20 countries. For more information about MSC Software's products and services, visit www.mscsoftware.com.

IronCAD DSC 2016 Product Update 1 Service Patch 1 Released

ATLANTA, GA, USA, Sep 27, 2016 - IronCAD, LLC, the leading provider of design productivity solutions, officially announced the immediate availability of IronCAD Design Collaboration Suite 2016 Product Update 1 Service Patch 1.

This service patch extends the quality of the recent Product Update 1 release and continues to address reports filed directly by customers. 

All IronCAD 2016 licensed users can access the latest update, IronCAD DSC 2016 Product Update 1 Service Patch 1, click here.

About IronCAD 

Based in Atlanta, GA, IronCAD is a leading provider of 3D Design Productivity Solutions that deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction and productivity. Individual components of this solution can be used standalone, complementary within an existing design environment, or can be used together to collaborate effectively throughout the enterprise to extend productivity. Its flagship product IronCAD has won many industry awards for its innovative technology and leads the industry in its ease of use and design productivity. IronCAD products are being used successfully by thousands of customers worldwide. For more information on IronCAD, call 1-800-339-7304 or visit www.ironcad.com.

Zuken Announces Agenda for ZIW Americas 2017

WESTFORD, MA, USA, Sep 26, 2016 - Zuken USA announces that Zuken Innovation World (ZIW) Americas 2017 will take place April 24-26, 2017 at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC. The annual event includes Zuken University classes, Expert Bar and a Technology Showcase on April 26.

The agenda features more than 40 sessions including Zuken University classes showcasing how-to and best practices for Zuken’s 2017 releases. Zuken’s Expert Bar and the Technology Showcase provide one-on-one access to Zuken’s technical team and partner solutions.

• Abstracts are now being accepted online through December 2, 2016 here. 
• For additional details and deadline information visit the Speakers' Corner. 
• For more information about attending, speaking or exhibiting at ZIW Americas, contact Conference Manager, Amy Clements, at 972-691-3284 or amy.clements@zukenusa.com.

About Zuken 

Zuken is a global provider of leading-edge software and consulting services for electrical and electronic design and manufacturing. Founded in 1976, Zuken has the longest track record of technological innovation and financial stability in the electronic design automation (EDA) software industry. The company’s extensive experience, technological expertise and agility, combine to create world-class software solutions. Zuken’s transparent working practices and integrity in all aspects of business produce long-lasting and successful customer partnerships that make Zuken a reliable long-term business partner. 

Zuken is focused on being a long-term innovation and growth partner. The security of choosing Zuken is further reinforced by the company’s people—the foundation of Zuken’s success. Coming from a wide range of industry sectors, specializing in many different disciplines and advanced technologies, Zuken’s people relate to and understand each company’s unique requirements. For more information, visit www.zuken.com.

ZWSOFT Releases ZW3D 2017 Beta

GUANGZHOU, China, Sep 26, 2016 - ZW3D, one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced CAD/CAM solutions for the manufacturing industry, announced the availability of ZW3D 2017 Beta, bringing new features and numerous enhancements to improve efficiency and minimize overheads in the process of designing and manufacturing. 

Expansive Sheet Metal Design to Bring Better User Experience 

One of the most highlighted advancement in ZW3D 2017 beta would be the expansive sheet metal, delivering engineers & designers much better user experience. 

For instance, the newly-added hem flange allows expanded flange creation with all necessary pre-defined hem types provided; the brand-new jog helps users create 2 bends at one time to better suit design technology; the enhanced full flange and partial flange enables users to intuitively control dimension with drag of mouse; the new editing tools are included to avoid reprogramming trouble… 

“We’ve invested a lot of R&D resources in sheet metal module,” said Colin Lin, Director of ZW3D Overseas Business, “You’ll definitely embrace a much more user-friendly & productive ZW3D.” 

High-Performance CAM to Boost Productivity 

The CAM module in ZW3D 2017 beta comes up with lots of new handy functionalities, in a bid to improve the efficiency & reliability of CNC machining. 

For example, the flat finishing operation is added to automatically detect all planes and generate tool-path accordingly at just one click, shrinking the programming time up to 50%; the milling and turning strategies can be simulated in the same environment, helping users intuitively analyze each manufacturing status to safeguard machining process… 

Better File Compression to Facilitate Smoother Exchange 

More flexible control options are provided in configuration form to compress Z3 file. Saving big models in ZW3D 2017 will cost you nearly no time. Especially, the file size of various formats, like NX, Step and z3 etc., can be reduced by 30% compared with previous versions, greatly saving the transferring time of data communication.

About ZW3D CAD/CAM

ZW3D, an integrated CAD/CAM solution designed for the complete product development process, features the fastest kernel for Solid-surface Hybrid Modeling, non-solid mold parting and smart CNC Machining tactics from 2 axis to 5 axis. It brings customers endless benefits such as reduced costs, optimized design workflow and improved efficiency. For more information about ZW3D, visit http://www.zwsoft.com/ZW3D/ or follow ZWSOFT on facebook.

COMSOL Announces Keynotes for 2016 Boston Conference

BURLINGTON, MA, USA, Sep 15, 2016 - The organizers of COMSOL Conference 2016 Boston are proud to announce this year’s keynote speakers. The COMSOL Conference is held worldwide in seven major cities. It attracts thousands of engineers and scientists with its focus on multiphysics simulation and application design. The first event is taking place in Boston on October 5-7 and features the following line up of distinguished modelling and simulation professionals:

• Bernard McGarvey, senior engineering advisor at Eli Lilly and Company
• Edward P. Furlani, professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering at University at Buffalo (UB) SUNY
• Carl Meinhart, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB) and founder and CEO of Numerical Design, Inc.,
• Sebastien Perrier, R&D acoustical engineer at Echologics Engineering

KEYNOTE: Leveraging Modelling and First Principles Thinking to Accelerate Improvement at a Pharmaceutical Company:

Dr. Bernard McGarvey is a senior engineering advisor responsible for process modelling applications at Eli Lilly and Company. He supports the application of process modelling in both manufacturing and process development. He has 32 years of experience in manufacturing, where he has held positions in process engineering, process control engineering, and technical services. His interests include general mathematical modeling and simulation, process data analysis, capacity/workflow modeling, risk management, fluid dynamics, cold chain container design and qualification, nonlinear model estimation, and quality engineering. He has a BEng degree and a PhD from University College Dublin, Ireland.

KEYNOTE: Multiphysics and Multiscale Simulations: Advancing Basic Science and Industrial Applications:

Dr. Edward P. Furlani holds a PhD in theoretical physics and has a joint appointment as a professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering at University at Buffalo (UB) SUNY. He transitioned to academia in 2011 from the Eastman Kodak Research Labs, where he performed interdisciplinary modelling for the development of commercial materials and devices. His industrial experience spans applications in the fields of microfluidics, photonics, applied magnetics, and microsystems technology. His current research involves the development of computational models to design innovative nano- and microstructured materials and devices with unique functionality. His current research spans the applications of microfluidics, biosensing, energy storage, nanophotonics, and magnetic particles. Professor Furlani’s research contributions include over 100 peer-reviewed publications, a textbook on applied magnetics, and numerous invited conference presentations. He also has a distinguished record of translational research and currently holds 152 U.S. patents.

KEYNOTE: Transport Processes in Microfluidics:

Dr. Carl Meinhart is a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB). He obtained his PhD from the University of Illinois in 1994. Since coming to UCSB in 1996, his research has focused on developing microfluidic devices and investigating their fundamental transport mechanisms. Professor Meinhart’s research on microfluidics has been cited approximately 7,800 times, with an h-index of 34 (Google Scholar™ scholarly texts search). He has seven issued patents. In addition to being a professor at UCSB, Dr. Meinhart is the founder and CEO of Numerical Design, Inc., which is a COMSOL Certified Consultant. Dr. Meinhart is a fellow of the American Physical Society.

KEYNOTE: The Effect of Local Resonators on Sound Propagation in Fluid-Filled Pipes:

Sebastien Perrier is a mechanical engineer who received his PhD from the University of Sherbrooke. He specialized in acoustics and vibrations, coupling of structures, and signal processing. Sebastien has been working with Echologics Engineering for 2 years, applying his expertise to optimize and develop next-generation solutions for buried pipe infrastructure management and leak detection. His work focuses on carrying out laboratory and field tests, developing processes and methods for measuring vibration and pressure events, and pipe modelling.

2016 COMSOL Conference

The COMSOL Conference brings together engineers, researchers, and scientists worldwide throughout seven locations, providing them with the chance to showcase their work, share innovative technologies and best practices, as well as the opportunity to interact with the members of the COMSOL community.

The 2016 conference will feature presentations on simulation apps using the Application Builder and the COMSOL Server product. Other highlights include:

• Over 30 hands-on training opportunities to learn how to use COMSOL Multiphysics software for better R&D and design
• Talks by industry experts on the latest in computational modelling
• Discussion-oriented Focus Sessions covering simulation best practices, moderated by our product managers
• The introduction of the newest simulation tools and technologies
• User-contributed paper and poster presentations
• An exhibition showcasing products offered by COMSOL Certified Consultants, software and hardware providers, and other exhibitors within the CAE industry
• The chance to interact with peers and explore the simulation work of fellow engineers

For more information about COMSOL Boston Conference 2016, click here.

About COMSOL

COMSOL is a global provider of simulation software for product design and research to technical enterprises, research labs, and universities. Its COMSOL Multiphysics product is an integrated software environment for creating physics-based models and simulation apps. A particular strength is its ability to account for coupled or multiphysics phenomena. Add-on products expand the simulation platform for electrical, mechanical, fluid flow, and chemical applications. Interfacing tools enable the integration of COMSOL Multiphysics simulations with all major technical computing and CAD tools on the CAE market. Simulation experts rely on the COMSOL Server product to deploy apps to their design teams, manufacturing departments, test laboratories, and customers throughout the world. Founded in 1986, COMSOL employs more than 460 people in 22 offices worldwide and extends its reach with a network of distributors. For more information, visit www.comsol.com.