Commentaries & Highlights

Webinar to address how organizations connect their innovation investments with strategic business objectives for competitive advantage ANN ARBOR, Michigan, 22 April 2014—CIMdata, Inc., the leading global PLM strategic management consulting and research firm announces that Stan Przybylinski, Vice President of Research, will take part in a webinar sponsored by Sopheon on how to overcome the innovation and strategic business alignment disconnect. This presentation will focus on the problems faced by companies seeking to connect innovation investments with strategic business objectives. Insights from a recent CIMdata study with industry practitioners will be provided. The webinar will be of interest to those involved in the strategic planning process and those who are responsible for the innovation of products, services, processes, or infrastructure to support strategic business goals. “Innovation is central to the strategy of many companies,” says Przybylinski. “Common practice is to use a strategic planning process to go from vision to mission to strategy. Depending on the industry,

MecSoft Corporation, the developer of computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software solutions, has announced VisualXPORT 2014 for Inventor. VisualXPORT for Inventor is a direct plug-in for Inventor, letting users export their parts in VisualMILL formatted files (.vcp). The solution provides an enhanced workflow for companies that design in Inventor and use VisualMILL in their manufacturing process. "MecSoft is an Inventor Certified CAM developer, and so we are very familiar with the unique needs of Inventor users,” stated Uday Honnalagere, Support Manager for MecSoft. “VisualXPORT for Inventor was created as a direct result of the feedback received from our customers. They needed enhanced export capabilities in Inventor beyond supporting STL, IGES and STEP formats while not having to give up using our standalone CAD/CAM software, VisualCAD/CAM.” VisualXPORT 2014 for Inventor can be used to export 2D & 3D Sketches (curves), solids with combined faces, solids with separate faces and individual surfaces. With VisualXPORT 2014 for

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products announces the release of Columbus III™ version 1.2, a powerful CAD/CAM programming and nesting software optimized for plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and waterjet cutting. This latest version of Columbus III offers many new features and updates to make programming easier and more efficient, improve material utilization, increase productivity, and streamline workflow. The new release provides improved CAD functionality with a standard shape library that makes it easier and faster to create part programs using an extensive collection of pre-defined part geometries. Columbus III version 1.2 enables parts to be imported from an existing assembly without the need for customized import filters, providing more efficient data exchange from Columbus to ERP, better production control and easier integration. The integration into complex ERP systems is no longer a costly customizing process. The new software improves remnant creation by automatically optimizing the remnant cut geometry on the existing layout. This simplifies the

Datakit announces a wide range of new plug-ins for SolidWorks conversion. CATIA V5 3D to SolidWorks Overview Enables accurate and convenient CAD data transfer from CATIA V5 to SolidWorks. Does not require a license of CATIA V5. Converts part and assembly files: .CATPart and .CATProduct files Data can be filtered based on entity type and visibility. Enables meta data import in SolidWorks. Batch mode process: Batch option or multiple file select (Needs a specific license). Certified "gold product" by SolidWorks. Version (CATIAV5_3d: R10 to R23 (V5-6R2013)) (SolidWorks: 2011 to 2014) Solid Edge 3D to SolidWorks Overview Enables accurate and convenient CAD data transfer from Solid Edge to SolidWorks. Does not require a license of Solid Edge. Converts part and assembly files: .par .psm and .asm files Data can be filtered based on entity type and visibility. Enables meta data import in SolidWorks. Batch mode process: Batch option or multiple file select (Needs a specific license). Version (Solid Edge: 10 to ST5) (SolidWorks: 2011 to 2014) JT 3D to SolidWorks Overview Enables accurate and convenient

FEA Training Consultants Inc., a licensed engineering company and authorized SolidWorks value added reseller specializing in SolidWorks 3D CAD design, SolidWorks Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and SolidWorks Fluid Flow (CFD) Analysis, is pleased to announce hands-on training session for SolidWorks Electrical 2014 in collaboration with SolidWorks Corporation. The two day event will be held on 26th and 28th May 2014, from 2pm to 5pm at 1107 Lorne Park Road, Suite 202, Mississauga, ON L5H 3A1. The event will help attendees advance their SolidWorks Electrical skills and manage complex schematic designs with ease. They will also learn how to reuse existing designs for the benefit of their companies. The training will also cover the latest, greatest features of SolidWorks Electrical 2D, SolidWorks Electrical 3D as well as a host of complementary solutions to real-world challenges that mechanical engineers and product designers routinely encounter. “We are happy to organize this complimentary hands-on training session.

Gerber Technology is proud to support the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) with a donation of hardware systems and AccuMark® 9.0 software. FMI is in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corp. CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative is an investment fund that will help New York City factories and production facilities grow and sustain their businesses through the acquisition of innovative equipment, advanced technology, worker training and professional development programs. During the inaugural round of funding, the initiative received 40 applications, which were narrowed down to 12 finalists – 7 of which received grants. Applications for the next round of CFDA’s FMI funding will be available in July 2014 on CFDA.com. Mike Elia, President and CEO of Gerber, said, “New York City is an integral part of the global apparel and fashion industry. We have more than 400 customers in New York City and the

Maplesoft™ has announced an important update to the MapleSim Control Design Toolbox, an add-on to MapleSim, the advanced system-level modeling and simulation tool from Maplesoft. The MapleSim Control Design Toolbox allows engineers to take advantage of the greater flexibility and analysis options available through the use of symbolic parameters. This new release extends the functionality of this toolbox with more control algorithms, options for automatically selecting the most suitable algorithm and parameter values, and extensive improvements to existing features. The MapleSim Control Design Toolbox now includes additional control algorithms that operate on a wider range of systems and the ability to construct closed-loop systems so that users can create controllers with feedback. It offers a more complete set of algorithms for PID control, including automatic tuning of the controller. It also provides automatic computation of design parameters, such as poles and weighted matrices, for state control feedback design. These enhancements allow engineers to

Software training firm Infinite Skills Inc. last week introduced its "Advanced Revit Architecture 2015 Tutorial," an intermediate course teaching advanced skills and techniques for architectural modeling with the powerful computer assisted design (CAD) program. Revit is a three dimensional architectural design modeling program that makes dynamic use of the support of a building information database. Building information modeling (BIM) is used to govern all phases of a building life cycle and produce Revit's signature viewing and rendering options. Infinite Skills' Advanced Revit Architecture 2015 Training Tutorial introduces new users to another level of control and sophistication in designing with this powerful software. Building on the basics taught in the introductory course, Learning Revit Architecture 2015, the advanced course teaches skills that allow users to add greater detail and work more efficiently. The two courses are currently offered as a bundle at a discounted rate of $149.95. Course author Brian Myers has been working in

Delcam has launched the 2014 version of its OrthoMODEL software for the design of custom orthotic insoles.  The new release includes a range of improvements to the user interface to improve workflow and reduce design times, enhancements to pad design and placement, a more sophisticated re-ordering process and faster, more reliable import of scan data.  For further details, please go to lz.orthotics-cadcam.com OrthoMODEL offers “real-time design” of both accommodative orthotics, ideal for patients with diabetes and for those requiring comfort insoles, and corrective orthotics, to address problems with the patient’s foot orientation and gait cycle. The software has a direct interface to Delcam’s iQube range of scanners, all of which are able to scan the patient’s foot, foam boxes or casts.  As an open system, it can also import scan data from most other systems as well as create NC code for orthotics generated in other CAD systems The improvements to pad placement

Bluebeam® Software has received a commitment from PCL Construction to deploy Revu®, Bluebeam’s flagship solution, enterprise-wide. PCL’s implementation of Revu as a key digital collaboration solution exemplifies Canada’s largest contracting organization’s dedication to implementing cutting edge mobile technology. “Having drawings and specs available in the field, in an electronic format, all linked together, gives our field engineers the freedom to move throughout the jobsite with all of the project information at their fingertips,” remarks Mark Bryant, Chief Information Officer at PCL. “Revu facilitates the ability of our staff and subcontractors to keep up with daily changes made to a master set of design documents, and ensures a higher level of quality control.” PCL uses Revu to effortlessly navigate hyperlinked drawings in the field. With Revu on the iPad and on tablet PCs, field engineers are able to simply tap a room in a plan and be able to quickly and easily reference all