Next Generation Technology Applied

NEXT GENERATION CAD FOR DESIGN!!!

Explicit Modeling for Design

Jim: "Bob, I need your expertise quick."

Bob: "What is it Jim"

Jim: "We have a new mod that has to be done to one of our products."

Bob: "Well send me the file"

Jim: "Did you get it?"

Bob: "Yes.. When did you move to SW 2008? I can't read this file.

Jim: "Hmm, I didn't know we did."

Bob: "I am still on SW 2007 and I really can't afford to upgrade."

Jim: "I am sorry, Bob we need this done today.. Tell me when you get current with us." CLICK..

Yes Bob lost the job. But this is not a unique situation with the History Based CAD systems and is becoming a huge crisis. Last year I got a frantic call. Joe... they (Large NW aircraft Manufacturer) move to Catia 5 V18 and we can't read the files with KeyCreators Catia translator. Knowing that they had a Catia system on hand for no other reason than to read the native files and PMI, I said just bring them in to your Catia 5 and export them as STEP (which is the only thing these fellows can do with Catia). Oh yes to their surprise they had Catia 5 V17 .. totally incompatible with V18, yes they (the Large NW aircraft manufacturer) failed to notify their suppliers about the move. Now we can assign blame, but that is not the problem, the problem is the CAD data.

At this time you have to have the Current Version of Solidworks, Pro/E Wildfire, UG, Catia, Inventor, Alibre, etc to be compatible. Yes you can work on any part done in a prior version with the current version but you are stuck there. Unless you are constantly upgrading to the latest version you are out of luck.

Same Scenario as above with both client and consultant on a different Explicit Modeling system.

Jim: "Bob, I need your expertise quick."

Bob: "What is it Jim"

Jim: "We have a new mod that has to be done to one of our products."

Bob: "Well send me the file"

Jim: "We will send you a STEP." (This step (no pun intended) in the future will be automatic. STEP will be the standard translation format and hopefully will include the PMI data.

Bob: "Great! I will have this change for you tomorrow."

Jim: "Thanks, you are a life saver."

In the above situation they didn't care what software was being used. No, versions to worry about. Imagine never worrying about what software your customer, vendor, supplier, consultant is using. This is the future. This is the beginning of the new Engineering Standard. Until we get to this level of compatibility, revising the Engineering Standard can not even be addressed. We will not even need the NATIVE TRANSLATORS. Yes the large companies like Boeing, GM, Ford, GE, Chrysler, etc. will demand that their software produces a viable compatible universal STEP file. This will be the end of a company being at the mercy of some CAD vendor. They will be able to buy much better PLM and PDM stand alone products. This would allow much better access to the parts from vendors or suppliers.

I believe SpaceClaim is the product that will lead this movement. Why? Cost, ease of use, compatibility, latest technology and much more. Yes, KeyCreator and IRONCAD are also viable solutions, but niether offer the latest scope of technology as SpaceClaim. Within 2009 many of our larger companies are going to have the EXPLICIT MODELING TECHNOLOGY available. Catia, UG, Pro/E see the writing on the wall and realize the Boeings, GMs, Fords, and other larger companies are going to realize the productivity increases and cost saving advantages to this movement. Just the increased ability to freely communicate would be a huge increase in productivity and creating less errors. 2009 will be the year this revolution will start. Soon you will see this push from the large companies and the industry, they have no choice. All of TECH-NET's products are explicit modelers and will be totally compatible with this incredible PRODUCTIVE future.

TECH-NET'S NEW (OLD) PROJECT

As you know it takes an actual real life project to learn a new CAD system. I have just realized, besides IRONCAD, I really never have used a history based product as known in the industry. My experience with Pro/E, Solid Edge and Solidworks have been brief and basically making single parts. I never really warmed up to the Part, Assembly and Drawing separation. I have always used an "Explicit Modeling System" using Boolean operations or at least having it available to design my parts and assemblies in one file. I realize now that many in the industry have never know that you could design this way. I have taken on SpaceClaim to do an extensive modification of a project from 10 years ago.

THE LINE FINDER!! Take a look at our website at this project, it is a great story.

After years of successful sales, my good friend, neighbor and customer, Larry Smith, President of Prototek contacted me to modify the upper body of the Linefinder. This was going to be an extensive modification of the handle. It would be almost an impossible task in a history based system. I imported the part into SpaceClaim (done with a mixture of IRONCAD and CADKEY) and started modifying the parts. SpaceClaim is very similar to KeyCreator in its operation. But many of the operations are a bit more intuitive and automatic. The new windows environment is a pleasure to use. This was a bit complicated since there was draft everywhere.

The original part.

Modified part, minus a few dove tails.

Step One. Started Cleaning things up.

Step Two a bit more cleaning.

Left side mirrored copy. Added the bottom support flange taken from the

original part and then subtract the right dovetail to create the mating groove.

Using the right side dovetail to cut the groove in left side.

As you can see this would be a horror show in a Pro/E paradigm product. It took me about 6 hours going through a learning curve, asking a few questions. I have a few more dove tails to put in. The customer was elated. I could to this with a part from any CAD system that can export a solid.

Imagine having a system that the design is instantly available to change with no need to go through a complex list of features to understand before attempting any change.

I highly recommend that you review this product. We can get a 30 day evaluation including the sheetmetal and translators.

Drop me an email at jb@tecnetinc.com and I will send you a link to download the program and a 30 day license.

If you would like to set up an online demo please feel free to call and I will set one up and show you the capabilities or get one of the representatives from SpaceClaim to blow you away.

See more on this project