Category: SWW10

Enterprise PDM for Word?

Office2PDM logo

Ever wish Enterprise PDM specifically supported Microsoft Office products?  Well, actually, EPDM already does support the files from Word, Excel, etc.  So, of what value is an application that runs EPDM from within MS Office products?  According to Extensible CAD:

Without Office2PDM, Enterprise PDM users who want to manage their Microsoft Office documents in their PDM vault must close their files and then operate on them in Windows explorer. This can be time consuming and requires extra steps.  Office2PDM provides access to common Enterprise PDM functions as well as timely access to document status information, all without requiring you to open up a separate interface.

There’s really not much else for me to say without seeing a demonstration.  I’ll follow up on this after SolidWorks World 2010.

Here’s some press images of Office2PDM:

Office2PDM EPDM Dashboard in Outlook
Office2PDM EPDM Dashboard in Outlook
Office2PDM interface in Word
Office2PDM interface in Word

SoliDan’s presentation at SolidWorks World 2010

Daniel Bertschi
Daniel Bertschi

Daniel Bertschi (aka, SoliDan) is a CAD support specialist who will be giving a presentation at SolidWorks World 2010 on how to get more out of the solid models once engineering and design are complete.  The presentation will detail how to “keep [models] working for you in manufacturing.”

Specifically, he will detail advantages of using SolidWorks models beyond the drawing, to create a variety of parts, such as: sheet metal, molded/cast, tubular, and machined parts.  Dan also plans on discussing various methods of model use in manufacturing; and “potential hurdles to overcome.”  Essentially, attendees of Dan’s breakout session should learn the potential their models have to save time & money in manufacturing & procurement.

If you are attending SolidWorks World 2010, you may wish to book Dan’s presentation on your schedule on Wednesday, February 3 at 2:45PM.  If you aren’t going to be able to attend, he’ll be posting his presentation online after SolidWorks World 2010.

Structure steel design in SolidWorks with AMV SteelWorks

AMV SteelWorks
AMV SteelWorks

AMV is a developer that publishes software solutions for structural engineering.  They have joined the Bentley Developer Network for their AMV SteelWorks application.  According to AMV, AMV SteelWorks was “conceived to streamline the workflow from general structural modelling, to detailing, fabrication, drawing and BOM.”

It appears the partnership of AMD SteelWorks 2010 with Bentley is aimed to move their application towards easier and smoother interaction between mechanical and sructural engineering, with full interoperability with STAAD, structural analysis and design software from the Bentley product line.

AMV predicts that training time for both Bentley and SolidWorks users will be short and competitive.  Additionally, they claim designers will be able to create models, analysis and documentation in less time.

New 3D Printer under $5000!

SD 300 Pro
SD 300 Pro

Solido has announced that they will introduce a new commercial 3D printer that will sell for “considerably less than $5000″, at SolidWorks World 2010.  If the announcement holds true, this has the potential to be a game changer in the industry.

Helping Solido to showcase their product are Scott Harris, co-founder of SolidWorks, and Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates.  This will be at a press conference on Monday, February 1st (day 2 of SolidWorks World 2010).

Solido states that their goal for this product is to provide casual 3D printing of CAD models, just as one might print out a paper document.  They claim that their product, called Solido SD300 Pro, will print models quietly, accurately and inexpensively right in the office with no toxic or messy materials.

They also claim that the SD300 Pro is suited for all stages of production with accuracy within .004”, including flexible living hinges.  Printed parts could be drilled and finished, all without any outsourcing.  Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to check out their product and claims.

Direct CMM programming from SolidWorks

PAS Technology plans to exhibit a new application called PAS CMM for SolidWorks at SolidWorks World 2010.   According toe PAS Technology, PAS CMM for SolidWorks enables the user to automatically create CMM programming directly from the SolidWorks Environment.  It will take information “off line” from either the 3D Model or the drawing and convert it to CMM programming.  The claim is that this add-on reduces task that used to take hours or days down to just minutes in three easy steps (reduction of “97% of CMM programming time”).  Automation of CMM programming is definitely taking CAD in a new direction that leverages the 3D Model and drawing information to speed up even more tasks.  Here are some press photos:

Solid Works Model converted automatically from Solid Works menu to CMM programming
Solid Works Model converted automatically from Solid Works menu to CMM programming
Solid Works Drawing converted automatically from Solid Works menu to CMM programming
Solid Works Drawing converted automatically from Solid Works menu to CMM programming
A complete CMM program from Solid Works Model, Drawing which both included GD&T
A complete CMM program from Solid Works Model, Drawing which both included GD&T