DE News Roundup: December 3, 2018

PTC acquires Frustum, TechSoft adds AR-VR support to HOOPS, hybrid Centaur-like robot, more

PTC acquires generative design software maker Frustum, TechSoft adds AR-VR support to HOOPS SDK, HP partners with Autodesk for 3D printing workflow, hybrid Centaur-like robot from Bostondynamics and Youbionic

PTC acquires Frustum

Design software and IoT tech company PTC announced it’s buying Frustum, a generative design software maker. PTC is known for, among other things, the Creo CAD and simulation software suite and Vuforia, an AR application development platform. PTC’s acquisition of Frustum reflects the design software companies’ growing interest in generative design—software with AI-like algorithms that can suggest the best shape or topology for products.

Frustum’s generative design software is known as Generate. With the purchase of Frustum, PTC now seems poised to compete with other rivals who already have generative design offerings, such as Autodesk and Siemens PLM. Read DE's coverage of the Frustum acquisition here.

TechSoft 3D HOOPS SDK Now Supports AR-VR

TechSoft, makers of the HOOPS Visualize SDK, has just announced it’s adding support for AR-VR—augmented reality and virtual reality—to its SDK. That means, using the HOOPS SDK, developers can create CAD model viewing apps for HTC Vive, Microsoft HoloLens, Oculus Rift and Meta 2 hardware and headsets.

HOOPS is integrated into many industry standard CAD programs, including those from Siemens PLM, Dassault Systems SolidWorks, and Autodesk. SolidWorks is among the early CAD vendors that added augmented reality in its eDrawings application, a free CAD file viewer.

Considering HOOPS’ critical role in the design software market, its AR-VR support opens a lot of new doors for developers to create programs and applications that let you easily bring CAD models into AR-VR environments for viewing, testing, collaboration, and simulation.

HP Autodesk Fusion

The 3D printing division of HP has picked up a number of big customers—including RecTech 3D and GE Transportation. The custom wins boost the HP Multijet Fusion 3D printers’ image as mass-production and manufacturing solutions.

RecTech 3D, a China-based industrial contract manufacturer using 3D printing for industrial scale operations. And GE Transportation is an equipment supplier to the rail, mining, marine, stationary power, and drilling industries.

HP has also struck a partnership with Autodesk, a design software maker known for its Netfabb and Autodesk Fusion 360 software, both of which support designing for 3D printing projects. The two announced an integrated end-to-end design-to-print workflow, to let you design something in Autodesk software, then produce it by 3D printing it in HP’s Multi Jet Fusion printers.

Boston Dynamics 3D printed Arm

What do you get when you combine MiniSpot, a dog-like robot from Bostondynamics, and a pair of robotic arms from Youbionic? You get something that looks like a headless Centaur, a half-horse, half-human mythological creature without a head.

The fusion of the two robots give you a new hybrid robot that can pour wine, among other things—a robotic Centaur who can stand in as a butler, if you will. Photos of the cojoined robot appeared on Twitter, posted by Youbionics.

Bostondynamics plans to start selling its Spotmini robot in 2019. So if you want to robot puppy to run around your home, please contact Bostondynamics. And if you’d like a robotic Centaur butler, also contact Youbionic.

More Autodesk Coverage

How Well Does Your FEA Program Know You?
Algorithm training with proprietary data and natural language support is transforming simulation.
Meet the Latest Star Wars Droid Designers
Droid design contest winners discuss process, inspiration.
Shopping Low-Cost CAD Options
Experts give guidance on sorting out what’s available in the market for robust low-cost (and free) CAD tools for DIYers, students or startup engineering companies.
Making and Breaking Things for Fun
Makers and YouTubers blend engineering, entertainment and creativity.
AU 2024: Project Bernini Exemplifies AI-Powered Design
At its annual user event, Autodesk highlights AI's growing role in products for all sectors, and celebrates being selected as partner for LA28 Olympic Games
Autodesk Company Profile

More Hewlett Packard Coverage

Hewlett Packard Company Profile

More PTC Coverage

PTC Appoints Robert Dahdah as EVP
Dahdah joins PTC from Microsoft, where he served as corporate vice president of Global Healthcare and Life Sciences.
PTC Partners with Microsoft and Volkswagen
Codebeamer Copilot beta expected to release in early 2025.
PTC and Configit Partner for Product Configurations
Integrating CLM and PLM enables a streamlined approach to configuration management, companies report.
Making and Breaking Things for Fun
Makers and YouTubers blend engineering, entertainment and creativity.
PTC Sets up Collaborative Agreement with AWS
This collaboration will focus on advancing Onshape product enhancements, customer adoption programs, and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.
PTC Company Profile

Share This Article

Subscribe to our FREE magazine, FREE email newsletters or both!

Join over 90,000 engineering professionals who get fresh engineering news as soon as it is published.


About the Author

Kenneth Wong's avatar
Kenneth Wong

Kenneth Wong is Digital Engineering’s resident blogger and senior editor. Email him at [email protected] or share your thoughts on this article at digitaleng.news/facebook.

      Follow DE
#21996