Position Papers

Synopsys, Inc. launched the embARC Open Software Platform to help accelerate the development of DesignWare® ARC® processor-based embedded systems. The new embARC platform gives ARC software developers online access to a comprehensive suite of free and open-source software that eases the development of code for the IoT and other embedded applications. Device drivers, operating systems and middleware ported to and optimized for ARC processors are available for download without cost from the embARC.org website. The website also provides access to software development tools and documentation as well as user forums to facilitate the sharing of information and expertise among the ARC-based design community. "We are pleased to see that the embARC Open Software Platform supports the use of the popular open-source FreeRTOS," said Andrew Longhurst, business development manager at Wittenstein High Integrity Systems. "We offer OPENRTOS, the only commercially licensed and supported version of FreeRTOS, thus allowing designers using embARC to move to

Altium Limited announces the availability of a new C compiler for the Generic Timer Module (GTM-IP MCS) from the Robert Bosch GmbH. The GTM IP module forms a generic timer platform for complex applications in the automotive industry like power train, power steering, chassis and transmission control. To serve these different application domains, the GTM provides a wide range of timer functions like counters, multi-action capture/compare, PWM functions, duty-cycle measurement and many more. The GTM also features internal RISC-like programmable cores for data processing and complex output sequence generation. The IP is designed to run with minimal CPU interaction and to unload the CPU from handling interrupt service requests as much as possible. Generic interfaces and the hierarchical system architecture make the GTM an ideal solution as IP core for various microcontroller architectures. The GTM has been licensed to semiconductor manufacturers for incorporation of the core on automotive microcontrollers like the AURIX

Inceptra LLC and Trinity Aero, a producer of precision aerospace machined parts and assemblies, announced today that Trinity has partnered with Inceptra to optimize their product development and first article development processes.  Based on industry best practices from Inceptra and PLM solutions from Dassault Systemes, Trinity Aero is re-engineering their business as a foundation for the substantial growth they are realizing in their markets with new business awards. David May, President and owner, Trinity Aero stated "This partnership is the right one for Trinity at the right time. Inceptra brings Trinity a breath of both knowledge and solutions and a proven partnership approach. In addition, the use of the aerospace industry's predominant PLM and CAD solutions from Dassault Systemes will allow us a more seamless integration with our customers by using their preferred platform as our own". He continued, "In addition, by selecting these solutions, Trinity will have access to a deeper

Mentor Graphics Corporation announced financial results for the company’s fiscal fourth quarter ended January 31, 2015. The company reported revenues of $439.1 million, non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.09, and GAAP earnings per share of $0.96. For the full fiscal year, revenues were $1.244 billion, non-GAAP earnings per share were $1.77, and GAAP earnings per share were $1.26. “Mentor Graphics set all-time records for the fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2015,” said Walden C. Rhines, chairman and CEO of Mentor Graphics. “Fourth quarter results were driven primarily by Asian foundries and their customers adopting Design-to-Silicon solutions for 14nm and 10nm nodes and by the automotive sector’s continued demand for embedded software and electrical design products. Mentor’s board of directors is raising the quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.055 per share.” During the quarter, the company announced new releases of its award-winning computational fluid dynamics product, FloEFD™, and of its Flowmaster® simulation software

FARO Technologies, Inc. announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.  Sales in the fourth quarter of 2014 increased 15.9% to $104.2 million from $89.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.  Net income increased $2.8 million, or 34.6%, to $11.1 million, or $0.64 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $8.3 million, or $0.48 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2013.  Fiscal 2014 sales increased 17.2% to $341.8 million compared with the preceding year.  Net income for fiscal 2014 increased 56.4% to $33.6 million or $1.93 per share, as compared with $21.5 million or $1.25per share in fiscal 2013.  Excluding a discrete tax benefit of $4.5 million recorded in the third quarter of 2014, net income for fiscal 2014 would have been $29.1 million or $1.67 per share, up 35.4% from fiscal 2013. New order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2014 increased $10.6 million, or 10.7%, to $109.2 million from$98.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 representing a 1.05 book to bill ratio for the quarter. Gross profit in the fourth quarter increased $8.0 million,

Autodesk, Inc. reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. The strong increase in billings and subscriptions and record cash flow from operating activities reflect continued progress on the company’s ongoing business model transition. Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015 Total billings increased 13 percent, compared to the fourth quarter last year as reported, and 20 percent on a constant currency basis. Deferred revenue increased 28 percent to a record $1.16 billion, compared to $901 million in the fourth quarter last year. Total subscriptions, including maintenance, desktop (rental), and cloud subscriptions, increased by approximately 100,000 from the third quarter of fiscal 2015, including approximately 17,000 subscriptions related to the recent acquisition of Shotgun. This is the first quarter that Shotgun subscriptions have been included in the subscription count. Revenue was $665 million, an increase of 13 percent compared to the fourth quarter last year as reported, and 15 percent on a

Edgecam and VISI CAD/CAM software is being used in a series of precision machining and tooling training courses from the GTMA in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. A suite of four-day CNC courses run to the end of July, ranging from introductory level through intermediate to advanced for both milling and turning. They are specifically tailored to provide delegates with the skills to perform at the highest level in today’s modern engineering environment. GTMA Chief Executive Julia Moore says it is important for delegates to have access to what she describes as “one of the world’s most advanced training programmes.” Run by AMRC trainers, they are designed for the precision machining and toolmaking industries. VISI was selected by the AMRC for the milling courses and Edgecam for turning.  Introductory courses establish an understanding of the first principles of CNC milling and turning. Covering safety considerations around automated CNC machine tools, they

Delcam will demonstrate the new real-time modelling tools in the 2015 release of its ArtCAM Pro signmaking software at the Sign & Digital exhibition to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, from 24th to 26th March. Unlike most other CADCAM systems, ArtCAM Pro is aimed at skilled artisans rather than engineers and requires little knowledge of engineering or computing.  It has been particularly successful in the signmaking, woodworking and engraving industries.  In these areas and in other artistic applications, ArtCAM Pro allows users to increase productivity, improve quality and deliver new designs more quickly, by combining their craft skills and creativity with the power and precision of computer-aided manufacturing. The main development for ArtCAM Pro 2015 is the new putty tool for modelling.  This allows models to be edited by picking an area to be moved, swirled, pinched or puckered.  It will be especially valuable when creating a series of variants on

Boston Engineering announced today that it is now a certified reseller of KeyShot 3D rendering and animation software from Luxion, a provider of advanced rendering and lighting technology. With this addition, Boston Engineering provides product development teams – including designers, engineers, and marketers – with added tools to create compelling visuals and images quickly. KeyShot is a real-time 3D rendering and global illumination program, developed by Luxion for PCs and Macs, that breaks down the complexity of creating photographic images from 3D models. KeyShot gives users involved with 3D data the ability to create photographic images in a matter of minutes, independent of model size and without special graphics cards. KeyShot directly imports PTC Creo data on both PCs and Macs, and supports LiveLinking to maintain changes to geometry through a free plugin. Other native file formats that KeyShot supports include ALIAS, Autocad, CATIA, Autodesk Inventor, Rhinoceros, SketchUp, Solid Edge, and

3D Systems announced today that it has added Impression Solutions, Inc., a national value-added distributor of printing and imaging solutions, to expand access to its portfolio of consumer products. In addition to selling its flagship Cube® and CubePro® 3D printers, and the SenseTM and iSenseTM handheld scanners, Impression Solutions will deliver an enhanced customer and reseller experience through its national network of field sales representatives, field engineers and internal support staff. This combination of 3DS’ plug-and-play 3D printing technology and Impression Solutions’ proven distribution experience and reputation, creates increased visibility and new venues for purchase that together will help bring 3D printing and scanning to offices, classrooms and homes all over the country. “We are excited about delivering 3D Systems’ products to our resellers and dealers,” said Ray Looney, Vice President of Sales, Impression Solutions, Inc. “3D Systems is a leader in this quickly expanding market, and their line of intuitive, democratized 3D products and focus on