digital tools and references
via the
Internet
Capability: The downloadable add-in called QuickQuote is used in conjunction with the Autodesk Inventor computer-aided design modeling environment. The add-in allows users to get price quotes for the manufacture of rapid prototypes, cast urethanes, and production parts. Quotes appear in the browser panel of their CAD program. Users can perform unlimited what-if scenarios without leaving the CAD environment, checking quotes each time they change a part. Only when the user selects the buy button are the native CAD and stereolithography data transmitted over a secure connection to the add-in developer's servers. From there, the user can complete the order or choose to e-mail, print, or save the quote.
Hardware: PC with Internet connection running Autodesk Inventor 5.3, 6.0, or 7.0 and Windows 98, 2000, or XP.
Developer: Quickparts.com Inc., 5825 Glenridge Dr., Building 2, Suite 107, Atlanta, GA 30328; (877) 521-8683; www.quickparts.com.
Cost: Free.
Capability: With the PowerCAD CE software application, industrial computer users can view, mark up, create, and edit 2-D and 3-D CAD drawings on Rockwell Automation's Allen-Bradley line of VersaView CE and MobileView industrial computer systems. The application is available in three modules: viewer, classic, or professional. They all allow CAD drawings to be looked at and changed on the factory floor.
Hardware: Rockwell Automation VersaView CE industrial computer, MobileView Guard cabled terminal, or MobileView Tablet wireless terminal, each running a Windows CE operation system.
Developer: GiveMePower Corp., 5925 12th St. S.E., Suite 230, Calgary, Alberta T2H 2M3, Canada; (888) 977-6937; fax: (403) 287-6002; info@ givemepower.com; www.givemepower.com.
Cost: Viewer version, $99; classic, $249; professional, $495.
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physics
Solver
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| Femlab 3.0 from Comsol Inc. is used to analyze models that make use of more than one physical phenomenon, called multiphysics models. A CAD editor is built in. |
Capability: Femlab 3.0 uses finite element analysis to solve models that use more than one physical phenomenon, known as multiphysics models. This allows engineers to understand the models' underlying properties and to predict how a system will function. Physical phenomena that can be solved for include fluid flow, heat transfer, electromagnetics, and structural mechanics. Today's systems often include multiple physical phenomena. For instance, the analysis of a fuel cell might involve not only chemical reactions and electrical currents, but also fluid dynamics and heat transfer. A built-in computer-aided design editor lets users quickly draw two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, NT, XP or Linux, Solaris, or Hewlett-Packard Unix.
Developers: Comsol Inc., 8 New England Executive Park, Suite 310, Burlington, MA 01803; (781) 273-3322; fax (781) 273-6603; www. comsol.com.
Cost: $6,995 for a single-use, perpetual license.
Capability: The software CFD-CADalyzer lets design engineers perform quick parametric and other design simulations in an environment that looks similar to leading CAD packages. The software then performs a cfd simulation directly on the newly created CAD model. It permits rapid sequential or parallel CFD simulations to assess the potential performance of multiple design variants and alternatives. The package automatically creates a CFD mesh. Users can make design changes to their CAD model, then perform CFD analyses.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, Linux Redhat version 7 or later, Silicon Graphics Irix version 6.5 or later, Hewlett-Packard Unix version 11 or later.
Developer: CFD Research Corp., 215 Wynn Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805; (256) 726-4800; fax (256) 726-4806; www.cfdrc.com.
Cost: $6,500.
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