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Market trend/market analysis, CAD/CAM software, CAD software, Rapid prototyping -- Forecasts and trends, Digitization -- Usage, Computer-aided design -- Innovations, Computer-aided design -- Forecasts and trends, CAD-CAM systems -- Computer programs, CAD-CAM systems -- Forecasts and trends, and CAD-CAM systems -- Innovations

Prototype, Performance Improvement, Market Analysis, Applications, Rapid Prototyping, Computer-Aided Design, 3D Systems Corp. -- Market share, Computer-aided design -- Usage, and Prototypes, Engineering -- Equipment and supplies

Faster and more accurate rapid prototyping devices, which provide a quick and inexpensive way to create a physical model of a part, hold the promise of almost limitless potential. Such systems include photopolymer-solidification systems that create parts by using ultraviolet light to solidify liquid resin, and systems that create parts by using heat to bond material in layers. 3D Systems' StereoLithography Apparatus continues to lead the market for rapid prototyping devices. This system uses an ultraviolet laser to solidify thin layers of UV-sensitive photopolymers. Only three other US companies have started to make production units of rapid prototyping systems: Cubital, Helisys and Quadrax Laser Technologies. Concept modeling is the most natural application for rapid prototyping systems, but manufacturers are beginning to use the systems in other areas of the design and manufacturing cycle as well.

Medical Profession (Industry), Rapid Prototyping, CAD/CAM software, Prosthesis industry, Modeling, Technology Information, Surgical technology, Medical equipment and supplies industry -- Production management, and Surgical technology -- Product development

A new computer-based rapid prototyping (RP) procedure known as stereolithography can aid physicians in planning surgery or prosthetic aids by generating 3D anatomical models. Computer models can be compiled from successive 2D computed tomoggraphy (CT) scans of the body part being treated. The 3D data sets generated from CT scans are then converted into a format appropriate for use in stereolithography equipment. A Belgian software firm, Materialise, developed the software necessary to produce the models. RP can be used to design implants and prosthetics accurate to within .0003 inches. Surgeons can also employ the plastic models to better visualize how a surgical procedure will be conducted with minimum damage to surrounding tissue. Medical instruments, probes and devices can also be developed with RP techniques.

Modeling, CAD/CAM software, Technology overview, Simulation methods -- Innovations, CAD-CAM systems -- Usage, and Prototypes, Engineering -- Innovations

It is difficult to describe digital prototyping. The technology was developed to eliminate the need for expensive physical prototypes of products and now encompasses the total design and development process. Some implementations include mechanical analysis and virtual reality technologies. Digital prototyping reduces the costs of product development through such capabilities as interference checking, analysis and testing performed prior to manufacture. Electronic prototypes are frequently superior to physical models, especially because they allow parts of the product to be tested and evaluated during the development process, instead of at the end of it. Computer-based simulations can demonstrate how the product will perform in various environments.

Modeling, Technology development, Technology overview, Prototypes, Engineering -- Innovations, Models and modelmaking -- Innovations, and Models (Clay, plaster, etc.) -- Innovations

Conceptual design is driving demand for rapid prototyping (RP) technology. Earlier RP technologies are prohibitively expensive and take too long to produce a model that will be used for conceptual purposes. Concept modeling, or 3D printing, is a variation of RP designed for developing prototypes that will be used as visual aids. These models need to be inexpensive and quickly developed because most of them will only be looked at briefly and then thrown away. Concept modelers produce physical prototypes from a CAD model. The approaches employed vary from ink-jet modeling, which deposits a wax-like material to form the model, to the use of powder that is hardened with a binder. These models are not highly precise, although the ModelMaker II does provide a high level of precision.

Virtual reality technology, Modeling, Technology application, and Virtual reality -- Usage

Virtual reality and CAD systems usually model physical characteristics of products rather than behavioral. It does little good however, if you can reach the radio in your car, but can't use it. Behavioral simulations provide useful data to market researchers, human factors engineers and software engineers. Market researchers use simulations to find what product features are desirable to a focus groups. That information then helps determine whether the project goes forward and in what form. Human factors designers use simulations to learn about product usability. What may be intuitive to an engineer may not be intuitive to the public. Software engineers can see if their designs work in a prototype form. Combining focus groups, specification generation and documentation into continuing process speeds cycle time and increases productivity.

Market trend/market analysis, CAD/CAM/CIM system, CAD-CAM systems industry -- Statistics, and CAD-CAM systems -- Statistics

Sales of rapid prototyping machines reached a record high of 1195 systems in 1999, according to a recent report published by market analyst Wohlers Associates (Fort Collins, CO). In 1998, [...]

Technology application, Animation software, Red Sky Interactive -- Product development, Brinker International Inc. -- Advertising, Alias\\Wavefront Inc. -- Product information, Alias/Wavefront Maya (Animation software) -- Usage, Television advertising -- Product development, Restaurant industry -- Advertising, and Computer animation

The replacement animation technique used by Red Sky to make a commercial for the Chili's restaurant chain is discussed. The commercial involves a chile pepper transforming into a mushroom butterfly and landing on the top of a plate of Chili's fajitas. The starting point was modeling a chili pepper in Alias/Wavefront's Maya to create all the necessary models and positions for the spot.

Engineering Animation Inc. and CAD-CAM systems industry

Engineering Animation Inc., has introduced VisConcept, a design and visualization system for manufacturers that makes immersive design applications more believable and efficient for users. When used in conjunction with appropriate [...]

Image scanner, Plotter, Hardware product introduction, Roland Digital Group -- Product introduction, Roland Digital Picza 3-D Digitizing Scanner (Image scanner) -- Product introduction, Roland Digital Modela (Plotter) -- Product introduction, Scanning devices -- Product introduction, Computer peripherals industry -- Product introduction, and Plotters -- Product introduction

The latest 3D automatic probe digitizing scanner and plotter systems from Roland Digital Group allow users to both design and produce original creations from a home office, according to the [...]

Technology overview, Technology development, CAD Software, CAE Software, CAD-CAM systems -- Innovations, and Computer-aided engineering -- Innovations

The promise of virtual prototyping is an intelligent computer-based model of products under development. The models will provide an accurate graphical image of the product, predict product behavior and simulate the manufacturing processes required to produce the product. Information derived from the model will also aid in cost estimation, identification of material requirements and marketing. The current 3D capabilities of CAD and CAE programs partially fulfill these goals, but technicological advances will be necessary before the promise of virtual prototyping is fulfilled. These include faster ways of performing finite-element analysis for design verification and easier ways of creating acceptable finite-element models for verifying these results. The elimination of finite-element meshing through the development of more intelligent solid and surface modeling techniques will also facilitate virtual prototyping.

3D printing -- Usage, Animation (Cinematography) -- Innovations, Rapid prototyping -- Usage, Animated films -- Production management, and Kubo and the Two Strings (Motion picture) -- Production management

[Win] Stratasys' new Eden500V large-format PolyJet rapid prototyping system measures 19.7x5.7x7.9 inches (500x400x200 mm), allowing the construction of bigger models than did previous PolyJet systems. The large build envelope also [...]

Technology development, Technology overview, CAD/CAM software, and CAD-CAM systems industry -- Innovations

The benefits of creating virtual rather than physical models in manufacturing are certainly compelling. Building digital prototypes allows engineers to evaluate a great number of design variations without resorting to [...]

Modeling, CAD/CAM software, Technology application, CAD-CAM systems -- Usage, and Computer simulation -- Usage

Digital prototyping is increasingly replacing physical modeling in the design of products. The Stewart Ford Formula One racing team was the first to completely design a race car with digital-prototyping tools. All aspects of the car, from the gearbox and suspension to the hydraulics, were designed with digital prototyping, with the exception of the engine, which was provided by a third party. Sandia National Laboratories employs digital prototyping in the development of devices ranging from a weapon's safing mechanism to next-generation computer chips. Boeing used digital prototyping to develop the Boeing 777 twinjet, the first airplane completely designed with digital technology. The goal of the project was to develop a plane with the simplicity and reliability of the 737, but one that could fly higher, faster and farther. The 777 is also quieter, easier to maintain and less expensive to fly.

Hardware product introduction, I/O device, Stratasys -- Product introduction, Fujitsu Takamisawa America -- Product introduction, Stratasys Prodigy (Large format printer) -- Product introduction, Fujitsu ErgoPoint 3D (I/O device) -- Product introduction, CAD-CAM systems industry -- Product introduction, and I/O devices -- Product introduction

INPUT/OUTPUT RAPID PROTOTYPING WIN Prodigy from Stratasys is an office modeling system for the rapid prototyping industry. Based on Fused Deposition Modeling, the system has an X-Y-Z motion control and [...]

CAD Software, Software buyers' guide, Computer-aided design, Mechanical engineering, and CAD-CAM systems -- Marketing

Midrange mechanical CAD software lacks the high-end features of such integrated systems as Pro/Engineer, I-DEAS Master and Unigraphics, but the market for midrange mechanical CAD is expected to boom. Included in this category are Windows-based solid modelers costing between $2,000 and $6,000, such as Autodesk's AutoCAD Mechanical Desktop, Unigraphics' Solid Edge and SolidWorks' product of the same name. They generally have limited assembly modeling and surfacing functions but top 2D and 3D wireframe programs by offering the benefits of solids, including interference checking, mass properties and support for rapid prototyping. Most midrange customers are upgrading from 2D CAD, and many analysts expect a large percentage of current 2D CAD users to move up to midrange products. Some vendors hope to expand the market by focusing on people who do not currently use CAD but who need the information in CAD models.

Company product planning, Company technology development, CAD Software, 3D technology, Engineering Animation Inc. -- Product development -- 00258550, Division Inc. -- Product development -- 00295179, VisFly (CAD software) -- Usage, Computer-aided design, and Computer software industry -- Product development

Companies including Engineering Animation (EAI) and Division are integrating product data management (PDM) systems with their 3D visualization technologies to enable engineers to view product structure and product geometry together. For example, EAI plans to integrate its VisFly 3D product visualizer with Adra's Matrix One PDM tool at Meritor Automative and SDRC's Metaphase PDM system at Ford. EAI's VisNetwork program is used to integrate VisFly and the company's VisMockUp with PDM systems or standard SQL-based relational databases. Division has integrated its dV/Reality virtual prototyping software with Computer Vision's PDM software. Integrating PDM and visualization is not easy because customized programming is required for synchronization of visualization databases, CAD and PDM.

CAD/CAM software, Technology overview, Computer-aided design, and Computer software industry -- Innovations

CAD/CAM solid modeling systems that deploy large assemblies often consume a significant amount of data, and designing modeling systems for optimum use on average technical workstations is a tremendous challenge. CAD vendors have created applications that present users with virtual prototyping systems, simplified representations of entire systems that allow for greater interaction during development. These digital mock-up utilities use little detailed information for their presentation, preferring the quick manipulation capabilities of faceted data over the strict accuracy of mathematical representations. CAD applications can also be made to alter the level of detail for each screen shot, allowing for quicker speeds in large assemblies.