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Software Estimates Part Cost
Boothroyd Dewhurst,
Wakefield, RI, has released DFM Concurrent Costing software, which analyzes
a range of manufacturing processes, including hot forging, cold or hot
die casting, powder metal processing, sand casting, and investment casting,
allowing engineers to estimate the cost of producing a part. It provides
information on manufacturing and material selection, and can be used
at both the concept stage and during design decisions, providing a means
for exploring alternative design strategies before 3D modeling, prototyping,
and other cost-intensive stages of development are reached. A library
of secondary operations includes information on finish machining, deburring,
surface treatment, and packaging. Top
Spray
Coatings for Tooling
General Magnaplate
Corp., Linden, NJ, offers Plasmadize® 2139, a series
of thermal spray release coatings for metallic and non-metallic tooling.
The coatings are designed to replace toxic silicone and other sprayed,
painted, or dipped one-time release agents. The coatings eliminate the
need for cleaning demolded parts. Users can select smooth or matte surfaces,
and products can undergo final finishing immediately after demolding.
Specific coatings are available for use on Invar and ferrous tooling,
aluminum and non-ferrous tooling, fiber reinforced plastic, plaster
and plastic tooling, and General Magnaplate's proprietary CMPTTM
toolface. Top
 Part-to-CAD
Inspection
The ShapeGrabberTM computer-aided inspection
system for part-to-CAD verification and inspection from Vitana
Corp., Gloucester, Ontario, Canada, includes a scanning head, translation
stage, acquisition and inspection software, training, and a PC. The
system introduces new technologies to simplify fixturing, streamline
scan alignment, and reduce noise. It can scan half a million data points
and produce a detailed 3D inspection report in one or two hours for
a typical part. Other features include 15,360 points per second digitizing
with patented laser scanning technology, 0.001" measurement accuracy,
and a choice of motion platforms for parts of virtually any size. The
system compares parts and tooling directly to 3D CAD files without requiring
dimensional drawings. Top
 Vision
Gauge System
The Vision Gauge System from Diversified
Engineering & Manufacturing, Orange, CT, is a non-contact optical
measuring sensor and controller used to measure or guide product that
is produced in a continuous process flow, up to a thickness (diameter)
of one inch. The integrated, stand-alone, measurement/observation/monitoring
(MOM) device allows the measurement of width, thickness, diameter, edge,
or gap gauge of either opaque or transparent materials. Position or
thickness can be monitored down to 0.0002" as the material flows through
the system. It features a 5000-pixel CCD linear image sensor with optics
and light source in one package. The processed material is passed through
the optical window area of the U-shaped frame, where the measurement
occurs. A controller provides numeric and bar graph LED monitoring.
Top
 Solid
Modeling and Machining
CNC Software,
Tolland, CT, has released a new version of Mastercam®
Solids hybrid solid modeling software that can be used with Mastercam
Mill to provide integrated solid modeling and machining. Based on the
Parasolid kernel, the software includes functions such as solid body
construction, automated filleting and chamfering, thin-wall creation
and shelling, and volumetric data. When added to Mastercam Mill, the
software allows users to create and machine solids, surfaces, and wireframes,
and program multiple types of data as a single model. Users can import
Parasolid files as true solids; built-in translators for IGES, VDA,
DXF, CADL, STL, and ASCII are included. Top
Design
Automation Software
POINTER design automation software from Synaps, Atlanta, GA, is a multi-platform
design and analysis program that performs nonlinear, multidimensional
constrained optimization, and automates the selection process or path
to find the best solution for cost-effective product design. Features
include three search algorithms: genetic algorithm, downhill simplex,
and gradient; an automated training feature; and the ability to link
the program to existing executables. The software is designed to exploit
flaws in the user's analysis, allowing logical errors to be found and
eliminated. Top
PCB
Design Software
PADS Software, Marlborough,
MA, offers PADS-PowerPCB 3.0 interconnect software, which enables users
to complete complex PCB designs. The software allows electronics manufacturers
to speed time-to-volume production. Enhancements include Intelligent
Attribute Definition and Control, which provides the ability to intelligently
integrate with enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing resource
planning (MRP), and product data management (PDM) systems. OLE Automation
allows users direct database access with no translation required. Other
features include automatic assignment of alphanumeric pins, lock-protect
nets, and enhancements to copper pour and test point rules flexibility.
Top
 Mold
Base Creator
Toolbox/MB for SolidWorks 98Plus from Cimlogic,
Nashua, NH, allows SolidWorks users to create mold bases as constrained
assemblies. The add-on is fully integrated with SolidWorks 98Plus, and
supports the DME A and B series. The software creates complete assemblies
in four picks, and includes components such as core pins, ejector pins,
A and B plates, dowel pins, locating rings, and bushings. Built-in design
tools help users add ejector pins and support pillars. Top
CAD
Software
DATACAD LLC, Avon,
CT, has released DataCAD 8.05.01 for Windows 95/98/NT, an updated version
of its 32-bit CAD software for 2D/3D applications. The enhanced version
provides improved visualization capabilities and new options for customizing
the user interface and hardcopy output. Users can map drawing line color
to printed line width, density, and color directly from DataCAD using
the new Pen Table dialog. An enhanced QuickShader feature provides lighting
intensity controls and background color settings. The Drawing Window
can be saved as a bitmap image for use in technical presentations. Top
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