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digital
tools and references
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| Motor
Vehicle Simulation |
Capability: Vehicle Performance and Analysis
Simulation is a graphic, six-degrees-of-freedom simulation package capable
of predicting four-wheel land-vehicle response in performance, ride, stability
and control, handling, and braking situations. Components of the VePAS model
include a wind model, fuel-economy prediction, an antilock braking system,
wheel dynamics and slip technology, nonlinear and linear tire-modeling
capabilities, full-vehicle aerodynamics, an internal combustion engine with
friction and pumping losses, and a three-dimensional road profile. The user
defines vehicle specifications and controls test scenario events using the
driver environment, which enables users to govern vehicle speed, steering
controls, throttle controls, transmission gear changes, and braking responses.
Hardware: PC running DOS 3.3, or Windows 3.1, 95, 98, 2000, or NT.
Developer: MAP Engineering, Box 178311, San Diego, CA 92177; (619)
584-4275; www.mapeng.com.
Cost: Single-user license, $19.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Sprinkler
Layout |
Capability: FireAcad is fire-protection
software for use with AutoCad that aids in the design and hydraulic calculations
for automatic fire-sprinkler systems. Users can view the screen in plain
mode or in 3-D. The software has a built-in windows hydraulic calculations
program as well as a built-in automatic material-listing program. The user
doesn't need to quit AutoCad to use the hydraulic calculations. Users can
preset or customize the program's ceiling-tile layout for any layout at any
starting point and for any ceiling type. Using the software, users can change
material price or add new materials to the material lists. The software also
features metric and imperial drawing capabilities and allows the user to
switch between the two formats at any time in the drawing process. It's possible
to work in both 3-D and in plain view on the same drawing.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 98, or 2000.
Developer: FireAcad, 274 Shirley Ave., Unit 104, Kitchener, Ontario,
Canada N2B 2E1; (519) 742-1664; fax (519) 742-1338; software@fireacad.com;
www.fireacad.com.
Cost: $4,800.
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to obtain information on this product |
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| Splitting
Software |
 Capability: To help determine the number of actions
required to create a mold, QuickSplit automates the search and separation
of a model's core, cavity, inserts, and sliders. After separating the core,
cavity, and sliders, the software identifies the parting lines and generates
the parting surface. Automatic and interactive tools allow the construction
of a parting surface for any complex geometry. An embedded draft angle analysis
tool lets designers identify potential problems with undercuts and confirm
minimum draft per side. The software is tolerant of surfaces with gaps,
mismatched boundaries, or missing faces. Component motion animation, dynamic
cross-sectioning, and clipping planes reduce human error and verify parting
design.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98 or 2000.
Developers: Cimatron Technologies, 19500 Victor Pkwy., Suite 300,
Livonia, MI 48152; (734) 432-6600; fax (734) 432-6601; www.cimatron.ca.
Cost: Configurations available from $500 to $3,000.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Psycho-
metric Calculations |
Capability: AhuPsyc V310 is a
demonstration version of the Ahu-Psyc program, which is software that
simultaneously calculates the psychrometric performance of coils, humidifiers,
and fans within the air handling units that have been custom configured and
controlled to meet specified space-sensible and latent loads. The graphic
user interface features a diagram of the selected air unit configuration
with controls for enabling components, defining how they are to be controlled,
and other input. To calculate the psychrometric performance of all components
of an air unit, users define the space conditions, choose the unit configuration,
and define how selected components are to respond to the space load. The
software then calculates the psychrometric points of the process at the mixture
points that enter and leave each component and the resulting space conditions,
and it displays the process on a psychrometric chart in color.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95 or 98.
Developer: Raiza Engineering Software, 13446 Spring Grove St., Dallas,
TX 75240; (972) 239-5252; rexraiza @raiza.com; www.raiza.com.
Cost: $295.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Graphical
Program- ming |
Capability: Softwire is a graphical
programming extension to Visual Basic, enabling users to take advantage of
graphical programming combined with the efficiency of writing code in an
industry-standard language. To write software, engineers use pictures of
real-word devices that show them what the software will do. A switch displayed
on the screen, for example, is used to turn a bit on or off. A digital input
displays what is happening to a sensor the user may wish to monitor. To use
Softwire, Visual Basic 6.0 must be installed on the computer. For behavior
not already coded in a Softwire application, users can write Visual Basic
6 syntactical programming language to cover the gap.
Hardware: PC with Visual Basic 6.0 installed.
Developer: Softwire, 16 Commerce Blvd., Middleboro, MA 02346; (508)
946-8900; fax (508) 946-9500; www.softwiretechnology.com.
Cost: One-year license, $199; unlimited license, $495.
Click here
to obtain information on this product
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| Compress-
ible Flow Calculator |
Capability: CFCalc for Palm
operating-system handhelds is a calculator for compressible flow functions,
including 1-D isentropic and 1-D normal shock properties. The software is
of use to engineers and students working in the field of compressible gas
dynamics. For isentropic flow, users select from four input parameters. The
remaining parameters are returned. For normal shock calculations, users select
either an upstream or downstream Mach number, with seven output parameters.
The application is a replacement for tabulated data, where interpolation
is often required.
Hardware: Handheld device running Pal OS 3.0 or later.
Developer: The Medical Group Management Associate Center for Research,
104 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, CO 80112; (303) 799-1111; fax (303)
643-4439; www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteI.
Cost: $7.
Click here
to obtain information on this product
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| Frame
and Element Analysis |
Capability: Frame and Finite Element
Analysis is general-purpose software for frame and finite element analysis
of steel, concrete, wood, cold-formed steel, and aluminum, which is available
in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional version. The 3-D version can be
used for analysis only. Users sketch their model using a point-and-click
method. Then they apply loads graphically and receive full-color reports.
The software performs linear and P-delta static analysis as well as dynamic
mode shape and response spectrum analysis. Additional features include tapered
members and one-way elements. The package doesn't include solid modeling
capability, but does include a three- or four-node thin plate-shell element.
Add-ons are available for the design of steel, wood, concrete, or cold-formed
steel.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, or NT.
Developer: Integrated Engineering Software, 8840 Chapman Rd., Bozeman,
MT 59718.
Cost: $395 for 2-D version, $695 for the 3-D, analysis-only version.
Click here
to obtain information on this product
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| Data
Acquisition |
Capability: The data collection
program CE-Wedge is designed for interfacing serial devices such as bar code
scanners, calipers, micrometers, scales, and other simple serial devices
to any Windows CE program. Users can then input real-time serial data directly
into Pocket Excel, Pocket Word, or any other Windows CE application program.
The software features one-screen setup. Users then open any Windows CE
application, and data from the serial device is automatically placed where
needed. The program converts incoming serial data to keystrokes so it appears
in the CE program as typed data. It also features support for date and time
stamping of data.
Hardware: PC running DOS, Windows 95, 98, 2000, and NT, and Windows
CE.
Developer: TAL Technologies, 2027 Wallace St., Philadelphia, PA 19130;
(215) 763-7900; (fax) (215) 763-9711; www.taltech.com.
Cost: $199 for a single-user license.
Click here
to obtain information on this product |
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| Column
Analysis |
Capability: Column Analysis Program
2.0 solves for the ultimate capacity of a circular or rectangular column
section using metric or English units in under three minutes. Input units
are: column dimensions, ultimate strength of concrete, yield strength of
steel, usable concrete strain, bar sizes, spacing, clearance, single or bundled,
and design safety factor. The output units include tabulated moments, axial
load capacities, and plot of the interaction curves. The software program
is intended for civil engineers interested in the parabolic stress method
of structural analysis in reinforced concrete circular and rectangular columns.
Hardware: PC running Windows 3.11, 95, or Excel 5.0 or higher.
Developer: Ramon V. Jarquio, 35-23 208th St., Bayside, NY 11361; (718)
229-3408; fax (718) 229-5212; parabola5@aol.com;
http://members.aol.com/Parabola5.
Cost: $1,200 for software and manual of equations. |
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