Industry Summary Articles

International TechneGroup Incorporated (ITI) has released Service Pack 1 for CADfix 11. Engineers using CADfix to address problems of 3D model data exchange will see updated native CAD interfaces for NX11, Creo 4, and SOLIDWORKS 2017, as well as neutral format CAD interface improvements, new features, and innovative tools.

New support for DXF/DWG assemblies means much faster model processing and significantly smaller files. ITI’s recent webinar demonstrated the power of using CADfix to simplify large CAD assemblies for integration into Plant and Process design systems, where users will see significant file size reductions and productivity improvements as a result of this enhancement.

CADfix offers a large set of defeaturing tools that enable users to remove features from CAD models that might otherwise constrain their downstream applications, such as CAE meshing. A new incremental algorithm for the fillet removal tool in SP1 allows CADfix to better handle complex split fillets and junctions with a significantly higher success rate.

Through involvement in the Hyproline and Symbionica projects, ITI has responded to an increased need for innovative geometry handling for additive manufacturing. The CADfix 2D slicer has improved capabilities using curved facets to better match the geometry being sliced, and a new method for detecting multiple loop slices that handles more complex cases. Parallelization has resulted in highly accurate slices being generated considerably faster. A new hatching tool also allows CAM users to generate variable radius toolpaths that can be exported to a CL file.

A new shrink-wrap algorithm in SP1 offers a more robust method for capturing thin regions and sharp edges, for example on trailing edges and junctions of aerospace models, and an option to recover CAD parency enables quality re-meshing with complex size controls. The high level of automation requires minimal user input and cleanup to get a usable wrap first time. The shrink-wrap tool will continue to be developed with an aim to be fully productionized in CADfix 12. 

Service Pack 1 also sees a new prototype automatic mid-surface tool that provides a high level of automation. Starting from the solid CAD model, CADfix can generate either new BREP mid-surface geometry or a mid-surface mesh containing thickness attributes derived from the source 3D model. Using the 3D Medial Object, CADfix’s mid-surface represents the true mid-surface through a solid body, taking into account complex junctions and variable thicknesses. ITI will be presenting this new technology at the NAFEMs World Congress in Stockholm on the 11th of June 2017.

Andy Chinn, Commercial Director at ITI UK’s CADfix development office comments, “With the release of CADfix 11 Service Pack 1 we continue to provide enhancements for our existing user base, particularly in the area of CAD to CAE integration and process automation for advanced analysis. It is also exciting to see new and innovative developments aimed at helping users in the additive manufacturing and process and plant engineering industries, who have equally challenging geometry handling issues, and where the application of CADfix can bring both quality and productivity gains”.  

To view the original press release, please click here.

Search for ITI on CIMdata.com