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Siemens Showcases Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2
Upgrade extends the history-free, feature-based modeling functionality deeper into the product, including sheet metal design functions
Beth Stackpole, Contributing Editor -- Design News, May 29, 2009
Nearly a year after its introduction, Siemens PLM Software has released a sequel to its Solid Edge software with Synchronous Technology, extending the history-free, feature-based modeling capability deeper into the product with improved part and assembly modeling in addition to intelligent sheet metal design.
Part of Siemens' Velocity Series of software aimed at SMB companies, Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2 also includes a new, built-in finite element analysis (FEA) tool along with enhancements to the embedded Insight design data management platform. Synchronous Technology, a hybrid modeling technique also featured in Siemens' NX 3-D CAD platform, combines the speed and flexibility of a direct modeling approach with the precise control and automation of traditional parametric or dimension-driven design platforms.
This new release illustrates Siemens' commitment to apply Synchronous Technology to all components in its MCAD series over time. "We're now in the process of building out and incorporating Synchronous Technology to the point that this is becoming a mature version for parts and assemblies," says Bruce Boes, vice president for Siemens Velocity Series. "As a result, many more customers will move to Synchronous Technology as a primary means of operation." Siemens plans to incorporate Synchronous Technology as a mode of operation in all the other modules of Solid Edge over time in subsequent releases, he adds.
The application of Synchronous Technology to sheet metal design will have a wide impact on the Solid Edge customer base, Boes says. Nearly 60 percent of Solid Edge users employ sheet metal as part of their product development process, and with Synchronous Technology they can create models with less pre-planning, make changes more readily and reuse and edit supplier data more effectively, Boes says. Synchronous Technology delivers the flexibility of working with a feature collection, not a history tree, in addition to live rules and the ability to import sheet metal parts from other CAD systems with some intelligence – not just as dumb geometry. "With Synchronous Technology, if you import a sheet metal design, the system understands it as sheet metal parts," Boes says. "We go a lot further in incorporating elements people have built in without having to bring in the overhead of a history tree."
As applied to parts and assemblies, Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2 extends the modeling architecture for complex feature creation and advanced sketch editing tools, the goal being to reduce overall design time. The software improves 2-D to 3-D data migration and also supports Live Sections, which let users edit 2-D cross sections cut through any part of a 3-D model, updating the 3-D model in real time.
Solid Edge Simulation is a new optional FEA tool embedded in the main CAD system that is based on the Femap finite element modeling and NX Nastran solver technology. This module enables engineers to perform simulations for stress and buckling on assemblies whereas the earlier versions could only be used for simulating individual parts. The last main feature of the new release is enhancements to the built-in Insight data management tool, including leveraging the latest Microsoft SharePoint platform for improved collaboration, faster release workflows and enhanced security capabilities.
Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2 is slated to ship this summer.
Solid Edge Live Sections are 2-D cross sections and can be cut anywhere in a 3-D part.
