By DE Editors

Solid Edge v19 offers full-motion simulation capabilities. Here,engineers can now define relationships between different motiondrivers, such as gears, pulleys, hydraulic cylinders, and motors. Next,engineers can send their suppliers and customers motion studies oftheir product/design, showing how that product/design is intended tofunction. Additionally, v19 offers dynamic documentation tools that letengineers capture, modify, and animate how parts are assembled anddisassembled.Other collaboration enhancements in Solid Edge v19 include the JTstandard file format, which enable the sharing of 3D part and assemblydesign across multiple CAD platforms and PMI (Product ManufacturingInformation) functionality. The latter enables v19 to produce3D-annotated designs that are compliant with such standards as ASMEY14.41, mean that Solid Edge models can now serve as single digitalrepresentation containing all product data.   Solid Edge’s sheet-metal design capabilities offer such new features ascorner stiffeners, cross breaks, and hems. Other features in Solid Edge19 include bend tables, enhanced workflow for AutoCAD data, and WYSIWYGimport of DXF/DWG files that includes matching color schemes, fonts,styles, and backgrounds. Also, with the introduction of v19, Solid Edgeis available in a 64-bit edition to speed the creation of massiveassemblies and associated drawings.In its simultaneous announcement of NX CAM Express, UGS explains thatthe software will be available in “CAD-neutral packages” as well as anintegrated component within the company’s NX and Solid Edge designenvironments. The latter includes integration with the company’s CAEofferings, higher-level CAM facilities, and Teamcenter PLM systems. NXCAM Express will be available in five modules, with capabilitiesranging from 2.5-axis machining to mold and die to five-axis machinesOperationally, NX CAM Express, says UGS, can help users maximize theiruse of advanced machines through its built-in guidance on bestpractices and pre-configured programming environments thatautomatically set the system to the user’s machining area of interest.New users can take advantage of tutorials that are provided with thesoftware, walking users through typical tasks and reducing the need foroff-the-job training.Each NX CAM Express package, says UGS, comes with toolpathverification, a post-processor build and edit application, CADtranslators, programming automation tools, and a machining parametersdatabase. The software automatically selects key machining parametersfrom the database according to the machining operation, such asroughing or finishing, and the stock material, the tool dimensions, andthe targeted machine tool. Additionally, the database addresses themajority of materials machined in mold and die work.NX CAM Express will be available for delivery shortly. For more, click here.For more information on Solid Edge V19, click here. To download a UGS-produced PDF of v19 highlights, click here.  Click here to access a variety of online demos on specific Solid Edge functionality.

Editor’s Pick of the Week—June 7, 2006 Collaboration Tool Designed for EngineersVCollab suite designed for CAD, CAM, and CAE visual collaboration from end-to-end. Visual Collaboration Technologies Inc. (Troy, MI) says that its newVCollab 2006 software suite provides a common platform for viewing andmanipulating 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, CFD, and FEA files authored in differentengineering formats without requiring the native applications. VCollab2006 delivers its visualizations of multidisciplinary productengineering data using a single lightweight viewing technology. VCollabfiles can be embedded into Microsoft Office applications or openeddirectly within Internet Explorer.VCollab can directly generate HTML pages for publishing or build 3Dfly-through animations. Additionally, it gives you the ability to probeCAE results and to combine CAD/CAM/CAE and BOMs. Advanced functionsinclude the ability to work with active and passive stereo glasses,vision domes, powerwalls, and 3D laptops.The VCollab 2006 suite contains four modules VCollab Pro, VCollabPresenter, VCollab CAE, and VCollab.net. The software provides both graphics toolsand compression technology to reduce file size while preservingengineering content. VCollab Pro is said to be a scalable, high-performance visualizationsolution that converts large 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE data sets to highlycompressed format known as .vcb. A file saved in .vcb format, claimsthe company, loads up to 100 times faster than it does in its nativeauthoring format. VCollab Pro also provides an array of tools forvisualizing 3D digital models and simulations.VCollab Presenter viewing software enables nontechnical users to viewand manipulate 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE information. In Addition toInternet Explorer, you can also use Microsoft Word, Excel, andPowerPoint to access and manipulate .vcb files.VMove CAE is a direct native reader of CAE output results. It convertsnative CAE results files into highly compressed the .vcb format basedon user inputs. VMove CAE supports such CAE applications as ANSYS,ABAQUS, LS-DYNA, and MSC Nastran.VCollab.net provides a real-time-collbaration environment for projects that require synchronized review among distributed teams.To sign up for an evaluation copy of VCollab Pro, click here.Click here for a VCollab Presenter demo. Click here to download the company’s brochure on the VCollab application suite.For complete details, go tothe website of Visual Collaboration Technologies by clicking here.