CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
1 December 2004
Product News
FreeForm Modeling Plus v8.0-Organic Modeling Plus NURBS Delivers Unprecedented Design Freedom, Speed, and Expanded Leverage of CAD/CAM Tools
SensAble Technologies, Inc. announced that version 8.0 of the FreeForm® Modeling PlusT software is now available. The FreeForm® Modeling PlusT system is a 3D touch-enabled Computer Aided Sculpting (CAS) system that allows users to produce highly detailed organic models. The version 8.0 software includes new Multi-representational Geometry Technology (MGT), which combines multiple geometry types in an integrated environment and provides expanded CAD interoperability with native Parasolid®, IGES, and STEP file formats. With MGT, users can add surface texture and organic details to imported NURBS models. The version 8.0 software allows users to choose the best geometry for specific tasks within the job, resulting in higher levels of design freedom, speed, and increased leverage of existing CAD/CAM tools.
The version 8.0 software expands the definition of traditional hybrid modeling by combining the detail and speed of voxel modeling with the precision, sharp edges and smooth surfaces of imported NURBS models. Users can import solid models directly from design packages such as SolidWorks®, then voxelize specific regions to rapidly add complex blends and details-all while preserving the integrity of the original NURBS model. When finished, users can surface the voxelized areas within the system or export the model and surface in other surfacing tools. Alternatively, the combined model can be sent for Rapid Prototyping or to CAM. Additionally, the system provides a model-to-mold workflow for organic models with complex parting lines and import/export of industry-standard 2D and 3D file formats that make it complementary to existing CAD/CAID/CAM design and manufacturing tools.
"Our customers love the speed and efficiency that the FreeForm Modeling Plus system brings to their design processes, but they want more-smooth surfaces, sharp edges, scalability, and better interoperability and dimensional precision," said Stephen Miu, Director Product Management at SensAble. "The version 8.0 release with MGT enables us to address these customer needs."
Todd Miller, Department Head Product Creation Technologies, at adidas-Solomon agrees. "As a member of the FreeForm Customer Advisory Team, we have had advance knowledge of the FreeForm Modeling Plus version 8.0 software and participated in SensAble's beta test program. By combining NURBS with Voxels, we anticipate our models will be more engineered before we release them to manufacturing. Version 8.0 will give the downstream manufacturing team the dimensional accuracy and edge sharpness they are accustomed to receiving. We expect the new MultiRep environment in FreeForm v8.0 to give adidas a very pragmatic tool for product design-we can use the right geometry for the right job-the best of all worlds."
The FreeForm Modeling Plus v8.0 software utilizes the industry-standard Parasolid® geometry modeling component software from UGS. Native Parasolid XT, IGES, and STEP import and export capability along with new surfacing features to speed up the export of NURBS surfaces and solid models improve interoperability with both upstream and downstream applications and help shorten the product development cycle.
"UGS is proud that SensAble selected Parasolid as a key component of the FreeForm Modeling Plus system and has delivered the first 3D touch-enabled Parasolid-based application to the market," said Bruce Feldt, vice president of OpenTools at UGS. "SensAble was seeking broader compatibility with CAD/CAM tools, and with UGS' 3.3 million licensed seats and 42,000 clients worldwide, UGS was able to provide native compatibility with the broadest base of users."
Availability
The version 8.0 software for the FreeForm Modeling Plus system will begin shipping in December 2004. FreeForm Modeling Plus customers with active maintenance contracts will automatically receive the FreeForm Modeling Plus v8.0 release at no charge.
New and existing customers will have the option of purchasing node-locked or floating licenses. The FreeForm Modeling and Modeling Plus systems include the PHANTOM® DesktopT haptic device and run on Windows® XP and Windows 2000. For more information or to purchase the FreeForm Modeling and Modeling Plus systems, please contact info@sensable.com or +1-781-937-8315 or contact an authorized FreeForm Reseller.
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