digital tools and references
Industrial Styling
Engineers used the curvature radius display available in the Strim for Styling package to detect and eliminate unwanted inflections on this aircraft design

Capability: Strim for Styling is an industrial-design package for use in such areas as car-body and car-part design, toys, packaging, and consumer products. The program can create surfaces of any number of sides within multiple boundaries by filling openings generated by a series of boundaries. It also ensures tangency and curvature continuity along the boundaries, thereby producing high-quality finishes that are easier to machine and reduce manual tooling adjustments.

New tools in the latest release include the ability to check the quality of constructed surfaces with the aid of dynamic reflections, dynamic scanning planes, and on- and off-line curvature map displays. A dynamic scanning-plane function enables users to check any surface model by displaying cross sections online. A curvature radius display helps detect unwanted inflections.

Strim for Styling's built-in curvature analyzer indicates different curvature and radii values of surface models using a color-coded system determined by the user. The tool detects very small flaws and defects. Other enhancements include a variational points-smoothing function, an advanced sweeping function, the ability to offset surfaces with automatic rounding of sharp edges, and the ability to sketch directly on scanned images.

Hardware: Unix workstation

Developer: Matra Datavision Inc., 1 Tech Dr., Andover Tech Center, Andover, MA 01810; (800) 854-5429; World Wide Web www.matra-datavision.com

Cost: $17,900
Product Data Management Capability: SolidManager links the MANTA product-data-management system to the SolidWorks mechanical CAD program. With SolidManager, users can manage product configurations and control design revisions. It includes electronic-vaulting and work-flow tools to automate the release and change processes for all SolidWorks entities.

Hardware: IBM-compatible PC operating in Windows NT or Windows 95 and running SolidWorks

Developer: B.A. Intelligence Networks Inc., 21555 Melrose Ave., Suite 16, Southfield, MI 48075; (800) 799-7419; fax (810) 799-7421

Cost: $995
Technical Desktop Printing on Unix Capability: EasyCopy is a suite of programs for capturing, viewing, and printing screen images on Unix workstations. The programs operate in integrated or stand-alone mode, and provide access to printer drivers as well as to system-administration, file-conversion, and scanning tools.

EasyCopy/X captures and prints screen images and raster files on a wide variety of raster, PostScript, and other types of printers. EasyCopy/Graphics enables users to load, display, and print vector files. EasyCopy/Scan provides users of Unix workstations with a set of tools for scanning and manipulating images. EasyConvert converts raster files. EasyCopy/NT enables users to output screen captures and selected file formats to raster and PostScript printers using Windows NT or Windows 95 drivers.

Hardware: Unix workstation

Developer: AutoGraph International Inc., 1782 Technology Dr., San Jose, CA 95110; (408) 436-7227; fax (408) 436-7255; e-mail sales@augrin.com

Cost: $385, EasyCopy/X; $695, EasyCopy/Scan single-use license; $195, EasyConvert; $149, EasyCopy/NT single-use license. EasyCopy/Graphics cost varies depending on file formats
Design and Drafting Capability: Vellum is a three-dimensional CAD package that, with a single menu pick, transforms 2-D and 3-D wire-frame geometry into surface data, which can be rendered for purposes of visualization and the generation of detail drawings. Volume information can be exported into other applications with another menu pick. The program's integrated parametric capability automatically reshapes and resizes designs in response to changes entered by the user for variable dimensions.

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing symbols are also provided to maintain quality control during manufacturing and inspection processes. Users can calculate perimeter, area, centroid, and moments of inertia, as well as extract detailed bill-of-materials reports and tables. NURB splines can be created automatically on the basis of ASCII file data.

Drafting Assistant within Vellum automatically identifies such relationships as endpoints, midpoints, center points, tangencies, and real and extended intersections. It also automates alignment, snap, and constraint functions in all three axes automatically. Associative dimensioning, hatching, and detail views show the results of changes in real time, and the program's automatic and associative dimensioning features continuously update dimensions as drawings change and as parts are moved.

Hardware: IBM-compatible 486 PC or higher with math coprocessor, 8 MB of RAM (16 MB recommended), and at least 5 MB of free hard-disk space, operating in DOS 3.33 or later or Windows 3.1 or later; Macintosh with a 68020 processor or higher, math coprocessor, 8 MB of RAM (16 MB recommended), and 5 MB of free hard-disk space, operating in System 6.0.7 or later

Developer: Ashlar Inc., 1290 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94806; (408) 746-1800; fax (408) 746-0749

Cost: $2,995
Thermal Analysis of Electronic Packages Capability: BETAsoft-Board performs three-dimensional heat-conduction, convection, and radiation analyses of circuit boards. By calculating the component casing and junction temperatures, BETAsoft-Board provides the information needed for reliability analyses. It outputs board temperature and gradient maps to help engineers monitor warping and cracking. Interfaces to most electronic CAD-placement software packages are available to transfer data files automatically. Heat sinks and conduction pads can be installed on components. Thermal screws can be fastened to the board with a few mouse clicks. The program works with libraries of unlimited size.

Hardware: IBM-compatible PC running DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows NT; Sun SparcStation workstation

Developer: Dynamic Soft Analysis Inc., 5001 Baum Blvd., Suite 656, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; (412) 683-0161; fax (412) 683-3641

Cost: $3,800 to $7,000, Windows version; $9,950, workstation version
Recon-
figurable Simulator 		Capability: With a convertible steering mechanism and variable out-the-window visuals, the RREVS reconfigurable research engineering vehicle simulator re-creates the experience of driving or piloting ground vehicles, helicopters, fighter aircraft, and commercial transport vehicles. Aerodynamic characteristics, such as lift and drag, can be analyzed along with handling qualities, vehicle configurations, and aerodynamic performance. The system can also be used for design optimization and demonstrations of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft as well as ground vehicles.

Hardware: Workstation operating in Unix

Developer: Opinicus Corp., 28870 U.S. Hwy. 19 N., Suite 400-D, Clearwater, FL 34621; (813) 799-4558; fax (813) 799-4645

Cost: $600,000 to $1.5 million
Software Prototypes Capability: Altia Design 2.0 imports CAD files to create interactive computer-based prototypes that simulate and test the product models. Users can create prototypes without learning or using a programming or scripting language. Prototypes can be distributed to users--even those without Altia Design running on their computersÑwith the program's unlimited-runtime player.

In addition, users who do not have Altia Design can view and interact with prototypes without paying royalties or additional license fees.

Hardware: IBM-compatible PC, running Windows 3.0 or later, Windows 95, or Windows NT; Hewlett-Packard or Silicon Graphics workstation

Developer: Altia Inc., 5030 Corporate Plaza Dr., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919; (719) 598-4299; fax (719) 598-4392

Cost: $5,900, PC version; $9,900, Unix workstation version
Optimizing Designs of Steam Turbines Capability: Steam Turbine Redesign Evaluation (STRE) determines a steam turbine's expected output after its steam-path geometry or steam-inlet conditions have been modified. STRE analyzes such changes and reports their effect on unit output, steam flow, and efficiency. STRE also determines the effects of plugging extractions on a used turbine for repowering with a gas turbine, removing stages for increased flow, operating temporarily with a row of blades missing, and accommodating changes in exhaust pressure as well as in inlet steam pressure and temperature due to repowering.

Hardware: IBM-compatible 386 PC or higher with 1 MB of RAM, and math coprocessor, operating in DOS 3.1 or later

Developer: Encotech Inc., 207 State St., Schenectady, NY 12301-0714; (518) 374-0924; fax (518) 374-1665

Cost: $9,500


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