Computer Technology Solutions (CTS) is held in conjunction with SME's Detroit Apex metalworking and manufacturing exposition. More than 600 exhibitors will unite to offer information on the technologies that help take a product from design through final machined part.
The event is organized by functional areas of the manufacturing enterprise, cross-referenced to specific technology areas. Content reflects the entire product development cycle from product conception, to the plant floor, and extending into the supply chain. Such areas include:
Research & Development/Conceptual Development
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Product Design
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Manufacturing Engineering
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Production/Distribution & Quality Control
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Enterprise Integration
This year's conference features many special events, including hands-on training sessions, which can also be found in some of the exhibitors' booths. For example, Baystate Technologies, which is launching CADKEY 99, is hosting three days of hands-on training. Walt Silva of Conceptual Product Development, and author of the Dr. Walt "Keys to CADKEY" book series, will conduct training sessions covering power design and productivity techniques that use the software's hybrid modeling environment. Other topics include breaking down a complex model into building blocks. Sessions are scheduled for the 14, 15, and 16. Stop by booth #1814 for details.
Also at the show, Silicon Graphics (SGI) will exhibit its Onyx2 graphics supercomputer with digital video mulitplexing. SGI will demonstrate how users incorporate scalable visualization systems and displays into their applications. Using an SGI Reality Center, manufacturers can collaborate on life size models that enable groups to perceive spatial and visual data in an immersive environment.
This year also introduces the IT Executive Forum, a two-day event that provides insight on the strategies required to integrate the manufacturing enterprise through implementing management of information technologies. For more information, contact Heather Boylan at [email protected].
Computer Technology Solutions is sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). For more information visit www.sme.org.
Software
Solid Edge Origin rollout begins with free product distribution to any interested 2D users and a worldwide web launch at www.solid-edge.com. The software is available to anyone desiring to test the productivity increases inherent in Solid Edge's 3-D solid modeling and 2-D drafting capabilities. Solid Edge Origin includes basic 3D part creation and saving, Solid Edge's drafting component, importing and exporting capabilities for dwg and dxf, and training through an online course guide at the Solid Edge Origin link.
Unigraphics Solutions Inc.
Booth 2114
675 Discovery Dr., Suite 100
Huntsville, AL 35806
FAX (256) 705-2690
Modeling & machining
Mastercam Solids hybrid solid modeler is an add-on to other Mastercam products that, when combined with Mastercam Mill, provides fully integrated solid modeling and machining. Solid functions include solid body construction, automated filleting and chamfering, thin-wall creation, and shelling and volumetric data. Fast Boolean operations let users add, remove, or combine solids. A history tree lists all operations and parameters. Users can also import Parasolid files as solids and machine them directly within Mastercam Mill.
CNC Software Inc.
Booth 2242
671 Old Post Rd.
Tolland, CT 06084
FAX (860) 872-1565
Printing
The Z402 3D printer generates solid models and prototypes from CAD data. Improved materials produced through the research and development partnership will be formulated for use with the Z402 system. The Z402 system, which operates like a standard ink jet printer uses CAD data to generate solid parts from a starch and cellulose-based powder that can be handled easily in an office environment.
Z Corp.
Booth 2043
36 Medford St.
Somerville, MA 02143
FAX (617) 628-2879
Interfaces
CAD interfaces allow CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, and Unigraphics data to be viewed and measured in Solidview. Solid File eXchange (SFX) files can be created from CAD data to make 3D information available to those using SolidPlayer software. SFX format is a compact data structure that enables the exchange of 2D and 3D CAD data for design collaboration. Users include QA inspectors, shop floor personnel, or anyone who would normally use 2D drawings to evaluate CAD designs
Solid Concepts
Booth 2348
28231 Avenue Crocker, Bldg. 10
Valencia, CA 91355
FAX (661) 257-9311
Modeling
Free FormTM modeling uses system 3D TouchTM technology to allow sculptors and designers to use their sense of touch while modeling on the computer. Modelers can control clay hardness and surface smoothness with the touch of a button. Free form also allows sketches to be imported in order to guide wire cuts, and lets modelers work from the inside-out.
SensAble Technologies
Booth 1924
215 First St.
Cambridge, MA 02142
Upgrade
Solidworks(R) 99 3D mechanical design software now offers many new options, including dynamic editing of features and sketches, allowing users to click on a swept surface or extrude boss and reshape it in real time. Detailing aspects now allow automatic creation of tabulated drawings, allowing documentation of multiple configurations and families of parts to create drawings more quickly. Such enhancements are found in modeling, assembly design, detailing, visual communication, ease-of-use, data sharing, piping, and sheet metal.
SolidWorks - Dassault
Booth 1800
300 Baker Ave.
Concord, MA 01742
Software
CADKEY(R) 99 introduces solid body healing and tolerant edge functionality used to convert less precise "imported" model geometry to more precise, CADKEY solid models. Software also includes a one-pass IGES translator for importing IGES files, as well as new Parasolid(R) file translator for XT files. CADKEY 99 also features a new visual feedback tool that highlights areas where modeling operations fail.
Baystate Technologies
Booth 1814
33 Boston Post Rd
Marlborough, MA 01752
FAX (508) 229-2121
