Animation is where it's at. As computer processing power continues to drop in
price, more and more engineers are animating their CAD models, as well as FEA
and CFD calculations. The moving figures can be helpful for assembly instruction
on the factory floor, for marketing on a web site, or for checking if all the
parts fit together when an engine is running. There's even an animated
spokesperson named Heather who provides help desk advice for Alias Wavefront (http://www.aliaswavefront.com)
users.
But while software can create realistic movies of inanimate parts, it has yet
to master human motion. The usual work-around is called motion capture--in which
a real human supplies that motion. A computer picks up her movements through
small sensors attached to a body suit, then transfers those movements to a
computer-animated figure…usually with a delay of several seconds.
But Tanya works in real-time. Tanya is a "virtual club dancer" who will
perform tonight at the Escape Club in Amsterdam for attendees at the
International Broadcasting Convention (IBC, http://www.ibc.org). A human dancer wearing a
motion capture suit will supply the moves, beam the data to a wireless pickup on
the club's computers, and the computer-generated Tanya will appear to boogie to
the music, matching the tunes beat-by-beat.
The technology includes a STARTRAK® real-time RF-wireless motion capture suit
from Polhemus Inc. (Colchester, VT,
http://www.polhemus.com) and Typhoon motion capture software from DreamTeam
Ltd. (Pituach, Israel, http://www.dreamteam-ltd.com).
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
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A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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