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digital
tools and references
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| Reducing
Production Variability |
Capability: Think and Do Live is a software
package that gives users the ability to develop and run automation, to conduct
productivity monitoring, and to control applications on many forms of
Windows-based platforms. The software allows pro-cess engineers, production
supervisors, and plant managers to reduce production variability through
monitoring of machine downtime and cycle time. The built-in machine and process
monitoring is coupled with automatic generation of information displays for
plant productivity improvements. Features include flowchart logic for control
and links to all popular Windows software. The software has 2,200 graphics
symbols. It can be used as an enhancement tool for new applications or in
conjunction with a traditional controls legacy system for downtime and cycle-time
analysis.
Hardware: Windows 2000 or Windows NT plant platform.
Developer: Think and Do Software, 4750 Venture Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI
48108; (734) 205-5000; fax (734) 205-5100; www.thinkndo.com.
Cost: $1,895.
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to obtain information on this product
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| CAD
for Students |
Capability: VersaCAD, a CAD software
package, is available for unlimited campus license. The CAD program, which
is used for many types of design, including architectural and mechanical
engineering, benefits students because they can later switch to MicroStation
or AutoCAD programs with little retraining time. The software also runs quickly
on many computers, including DOS and Macintosh platforms. The unlimited campus
license includes Mac, DOS, and Windows versions of the software. Technical
support for the instructor and software upgrades for one year is included
with the package. The training manual is available with a royalty-free right
to copy for classroom use.
Hardware: PCs in a campus laboratory.
Developer: Archway Systems, 2130 Main St., No. 145, Huntington Beach,
CA 92648-6441; (714) 374-0440; fax (714) 374-0441; www.versacad.com.
Cost: $1,495 unlimited campus license.
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to obtain information on this product |
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| Machine
Programming |
Capability: Quick Code programming
is a version of developer Mikron Technology's Quick Code programming that
had been offered as a programming utility on its machine tool controls. The
software, now available on a personal computer, is a G-code editor with
conversation-style dialog boxes that help machinists through the manual G
and M code programming process. The program includes calculators for angles,
drill depth, simple math, and a tap drill. It also includes an automatic
speeds and feeds database and calculator, and a decimal equivalent chart.
Hardware: PC with Windows 95, 98, or NT.
Developers: DP Technology, 1150 Avenida Acaso, Camarillo, CA 93012;
(805) 388-6000; fax (805) 388-3085; Mikron Technology, CH 2505 Biel, Muhlebrucke
2, Bienne, Switzerland; (41) 32-311-7200; fax (41) 32-321-7201; e-mail:
MHO@ch.mmikron-tg. com; www.mikron-tg.com.
Cost: Free to DP Technology and Mikron Technology users.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Web
Indexing Tool |
Capability: MantaDB Utilities
integrates six tools into Internet Explorer 5.0. The Web page index tool
remembers the words from every Web page visited so users can perform keyword
searches to find the Web sites again. The line-checker tool acts as a scratch
pad for a browser session. It looks like a browser bar, and users can move
links into its link-collector window for later reference. Another tool creates
a personal favorite browser within a browser, and a fourth tool removes a
Web page's background images and presents the page in black letters on a
white screen. The font-size tool changes the base font of the browser session,
thereby reducing or enlarging all text on the Web page. A deframer tool frees
the user from a Web page's frame and displays the current frame in a full
screen of its own. Once installed, these utilities are available through
an integrated toolbar at the top of the Internet Explorer window.
Hardware: PC with Internet Explorer 5.0.
Developer: Net 2000, 5 Rutland Dr., Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England
B60 2PB; (44) 1527-559-131; e-mail: mantaDB@mantadb.com; www.mantadb.com.
Cost: Free.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Seal
Specification |
Capability: Total InPhorm is a
software package that aids designers in seal design and in seal material
specification. The new release includes custom-sizing capabilities that allow
users to design application-specific glands and seals. The software automatically
cross-references thousands of part numbers and recommends materials based
on standards. Software includes O-ring design and four other packages for
hydraulic and pneumatic applications, static-face sealing, standard O-seal
products, and thermal management.
Hardware: PC.
Developer: Parker Hannifin Seal Group, 14300 Alton Pkwy., Irvine,
CA 92618; (949) 833-3000; fax (949) 851-3799.
Cost: Free.
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to obtain information on this product
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| CAD
Training |
Capability: CADInSite, a compact
disc-based training series from Distance Engineering is available on the
Cadkey Web site. The software serves as a training series for Cadkey users.
The presenter, called Doctor Walt, offers clear instructions. Users can repeat
lessons and can toggle to Cadkey, which is sold separately, to practice what
they've just learned. The CADInSite bundle consists of three CD-ROMs that
include 200 interactive lessons, including hybrid modeling. Another training
product, Introduction to Solid Modeling, also available on the Web site,
was originally developed for Ford Motor Co. to help designers, drafters,
and engineers who used two-dimensional drafting or 3-D wireframe methods
transition to solid modeling.
Hardware: PC with CD-ROM capability.
Developer: Distance Engineering, 3025 Boardwalk, Ste. 280, Ann Arbor,
MI 48108; (734) 994-6558; fax (734) 662-8116; www.distanceengineering.com.
Cost: CADInSite Bundle, $149.94; Introduction to Solid Modeling, $89.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Paperless
Recording |
Capability: The Vespo Series 2106
is a recorder and data acquisition system that costs less than a chart recorder.
Features include individually configurable input channels for thermocouples
and for digital inputs and alarm-relay outputs. The basic system provides
trending, real-time data, alarms, and historical storage of data. The system
includes the recorder, software that connects the package to the user's PC,
and a 16-channel remote station that provides 16 configurable inputs, three
digital inputs, and two alarm-relay outputs. Expansion to 32 channels is
possible via an additional remote station that can be ordered in tandem with
the recorder or at a future date. The system can be ordered with a PC, if
needed.
Hardware: PC with Windows 95, 98, 2000, or NT.
Developer: Vespo Marketing, P.O. Box 60, Thompson Ridge, NY 10985;
(800) 498-3776; fax (800) 368-3776; www.vespo.com.
Cost: $1,990.
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to obtain information on this product
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| Graphics
Ability |
Capability: Canvas 7 Standard Edition
is a graphics software program for students and home users. The software
allows users to edit photos, draw logos and diagrams, and create brochures,
newsletters, fliers, and posters. It also includes Web graphics, image editing,
and page layout features for engineering projects done on a consulting basis
or as part of classroom work.
Hardware: PC with graphics ability.
Developer: Deneba Software, 1150 NW 72nd Ave., Miami, FL 33126; (305)
596-5644, ext. 134; e-mail: curtis @deneba.com; www.deneba.com.
Cost: $99; $85 for the version downloadable from Web site.
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to obtain information on this product |
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| CFD
Analysis |
Capability: Coolit version 3.50
now supports the direct import of Pro/Engineer from PTC of Waltham, Mass.,
and of SolidWorks models from SolidWorks of Concord, Mass., for computational
fluid dynamics airflow and thermal analysis. The import module transfers
the geometry directly to Coolit for analysis, eliminating the need for
translation. Thermal and fluid properties are specified directly in Coolit.
Hardware: Pentium PC running Windows 95, 98, 2000, or NT.
Developer: Daat Research, P.O. Box 5484, Hanover, NH 03755-5485; (603)
448-1302; fax (603) 448-2941; e-mail: info@daat.com; www.daat.com.
Cost: $16,000 for annual license. |
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| Patent
Information |
Capability: PatentWizard 2.0 allows
inventors to draft their own patent applications and to take advantage of
a new type of strategy known as a provisional patent application. The PPA
gives inventors a patent pending while they determine the commercial viability
of their inventions. This enables them to avoid patent attorney costs during
the development phase. The software guides the user through a series of steps
and produces a printed PPA suitable for submission to the U.S. Patent Office.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 98, or NT.
Developer: Michael S. Neustel, 2534 S. University Dr., Suite No. 4,
Fargo, ND 58103; (701) 235-8878; fax (701) 237-0544; www.patentwizard.com.
Cost: $199.
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to obtain information on this product |
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| Disc
Coupling Selection |
Capability: Sizing and selection
software provides a coupling recommendation for Zero-Max composite disc
couplings. The software bases recommendations on a set of operating application
requirements given by the user. Users input coupling type, such as single
flex, double flex, spacer, or floating shaft, based on misalignment or the
distance between shafts. Then, the user enters coupling resolutions-per-minute
needed, peak torque, and other factors for the CD coupling model recommendation.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95 or 98.
Developer: Zero-Max, 13200 6th Ave. N., Plymouth, MN 55441; (800)
533-1731; fax (763) 546-8260; www. zero-max.com.
Cost: Free.
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to obtain information on this product |
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