digital tools and references
Capability: With Origin Viewer, employees without Origin installed
on their computers can view and copy information from Origin project files.
Origin is a way to store raw data, analysis results, graphs, laid-out
pages, metadata, and notes. Project-file users can store all information
relevant to their work and then—via the viewer—share their
files with colleagues who don't have Origin access.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP.
Developer: OriginLab, One Roundhouse Plaza, Northampton, MA 01060;
(413) 586-2013; (413) 585-0126; www.OriginLab.com.
Cost: Free.
Energy Analysis
Capability: The software package of energy analysis
tools includes a thermodynamic calculator, a device-design performance
analyzer, a system analyzer for energy-conversion devices, and two system-cost
analyzers. The calculator addresses the thermodynamic and transport properties,
and basic processes of 20 working fluids used by those in power generation.
It serves as a simple calculator and as an energy-auditing tool. The performance
analyzers calculate the relation between a device's design geometry
and its loading and efficiency parameters. Users can then express the
device's material in terms of device performance. The system analyzers
describe the efficiency of a system and its production cost in relation
to the decision variables of the system. Users can select systems to rate
from more than 40 available systems. The package includes a user handbook
in portable document format, source-code samples, and a textbook that
deals with the subject.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98 or higher.
Developer: Advanced Energy Analysis, 41658 Higgins Way, Fremont,
CA 94539-4613; (510) 656-2783; aea87 @comcast.net.
Cost: $750.
Click here to obtain information on this product
Capability: VTour creates photorealistic, three-dimensional images from two-dimensional pictures or panoramas. The program turns digital photographs into 3-D scenes or simulations. The results can be exported or published as either a 3-D movie or as an interactive application that plays with 3-D viewers like Macromedia's Shockwave Player or the developer's Virtools Web Player. The software can run in a range of applications, such as 3-D simulation, virtual walkthroughs inside buildings and monuments, and virtual reality.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, or NT. Macintosh version will be available in summer 2006.
Developers: Realviz S.A., 350 Town- send St., Suite 409, San
Francisco, CA 94107; (415) 615-9800; fax (415) 840-0452; www.realviz.com.
Cost: $580.
Single or Networked Modeler
Capability: NEi Nastran Modeler is a pre- and post-processor
used to model various products, processes, and systems. It offers geometry
import, geometry creation, meshing, and visualization. The program solves
for materials and properties, loads and boundary conditions, and performs
different types of analyses. The modeler is integrated with the developer's
finite element analysis software and also provides integration with a
wide range of industry-standard structural and thermal solvers. NEi Nastran
Modeler is available in stand-alone or network configuration.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, or ME.
Developer: Noran Engineering, 555 Garden Grove Blvd., Ste. 300, Westminster, CA 92683-1886; (714) 899-1220; fax (714) 899-1369.
Cost: $7,000 for the stand-alone application; network configuration cost varies.
Surround- ed by Monitors
Capability: With the external upgrade TripleHead2Go
engineers can use three monitors at one time. The displays depict the
left, center, and right portions of the screen. The unit connects to the
monitor output of a computer and divides that output into three separate
displays. When essentially surrounded by displays, engineers can feel
more immersed in engineering simulations, according to the developer.
The program also helps perfect CAD design. It can be used for two-dimensional
or three-dimensional viewing.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP with a range of graphics hardware.
Developer: Matrox Graphics Inc., 1055 Boulevarde St-Régis, Dorval, Québec, Canada H9P 2T4; (514) 822-6300; fax (514) 822-6363; www. matrox.com.
Cost: $299.
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© 2006 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers