Products: April 2007

By DE Editors

Content Manager Expands Dynamic Publishing System

Readers’ Choice Winner

PTC (Needham, MA) has expanded its PTC Dynamic Publishing System with  Arbortext Content Manager, which is based on PTC Windchill technology  and targets organizations authoring complex publications such as those  in the pharmaceutical, financial services, government,transportation,  process, and manufacturing industries.
   
PTC’s Dynamic Publishing  System combines text authoring, graphics authoring, content and  configuration management, automated publishing,and graphics  visualization. It enables organizations to create content out of  XML-based reusable components and automate the content management,  review, and approval processes. Information can be published in multiple  formats, languages, and media.

PTC Dynamic Publishing System

PTC Dynamic Publishing provides  support for technical illustrations,either created from scratch or  based on CAD data, and it can leverage ITEDO technical illustration  technology for fully associative dynamic document version control. It  has the ability to assemble and publish documents to all media  automatically, including print and electronic,from a single source.  Other features include workflow management capabilities, integration  with Microsoft Office, access and version control at a component level,  and management of component relationships. For details, visit PTC.
 
PTC  Dynamic Publishing System received the most votes in our January2007  issue. Vote for your favorite from this issue by clicking here.
 
STAR-CCM+ Calculates and Optimizes Aerodynamics

CD-adapco (New York and London) has released version 2.6 of its STAR-CCM+ CFD  (computational fluid dynamics) tool. A variety of existing, enhanced,  and new features makes STAR-CCM+ V2.06 a complete toolkit for the CFD  aerodynamicist, says the company. Among the features the company cites  are an automatic process from geometry to hexahedral or polyhedral mesh,  implicit algebraic-multi grid and explicit multistage Runge-Kutta coupled  solvers, as well as custom-made pre- and post processing for external  aerodynamics.
   
STAR-CCM+ offers a range of features designed to  cut preparation time for simulations and generate accurate results. For  example, by automatically “shrink-wrapping” CAD geometry with a  high-quality triangulated surface, STAR-CCM+‘s surface wrapper fills  holes and removes overlapping and non-manifold surfaces, which, says the  company,cuts geometry preparation time from days to minutes. The  software’s automatic hexahedral or polyhedral meshers then produce a  high-quality computational mesh without further user intervention.  Further, the ability to solve, post process, update the geometry, and  rerun the calculation automatically and within a single environment  reduces the time required for iterative design studies.
 
Version  2.06 of STAR-CCM+ offers further enhancements to its user interface and  visualization when meshing and post processing as well asa number of new  and advanced physics models. The main modeling advances offer improved  calculations for unsteady flow and/or combustion,radiation, and heat  transfer in multiphase systems. Turbulence models enforce realizability,  which is said to promote higher accuracy near regions of stagnation and  impingement. Large Eddy Simulation has been introduced, and Detached  Eddy Simulation capabilities have been enhanced with the  Spalart-Allmaras delayed detached eddy model. Other modeling  enhancements include solar radiation, heat transfer within Volume of  Fluid or free-surface model, and a partially premixed coherent flame  model.
 
STAR-CCM+ V2.06 comes bundled with STAR-Design,  CD-adapco’s parametric geometry modeling tool that enables you to  manipulate CAD geometry prior to simulation, without access to a full  3D-CAD/PLM package. Availability is immediate. For further details, go  to CD-adapco.

CF design for CoCreate

As an integrated extension to OneSpace Modeling from CoCreate (Fort Collins, CO), CF design V9 up front CFD software from Blue Ridge Numerics(Charlottesville,  VA) acts as an interactive 3D flow bench and thermal test rig with an  ability to conduct trade-off studies up front in the design process. (See DE’s March 2007 reviews of CF design and OneSpace.)
   
Geometry  changes made inside OneSpace Modeling are automatically reflected in  CF design without any translation or conversion process,eliminating the  process of creating and managing multiple geometry models during a  project lifecycle. With CF design, you work with a single  product model,  and it is updated and managed within the CoCreate environment.
 
For more information, visit Blue Ridge Numerics or CoCreate.

New 25-Channel, 24-bit Analog Input Board   

United Electronic Industries (UEI; Canton, MA) has released theDNA-AI-225 analog input board. The  new board features 25 differential input channels with 24-bit resolution  and a maximum sampling rate of 1ksps per channel (25 ksps aggregate for  the board).

DNA-AI-225 from UEI

The OM-THA-2 from OMEGA (Stamford, CT) is a multifunction unit that not only monitors  temperature, relative humidity, and dew point, but also provides for  out-of-range conditions. Able to continuously log data,the OM-THA-2  features include an audible and visual alarm, digital display, relay  contacts for remote alarm or auto dialer, and remote sensor. This alarm  can log up to 170 days of data and no computer setup is necessary to  start logging. Recording is performed continuously after the unit is  turned on and all logging settings can be viewed or changed through the  front panel functions.

OMEGA’s OM-THA-2

The OM-THA comes with Windows software that  enables you to view logged data on your computer while continuously  recording new data. The OM-THAis CE Compliant and supplied with a  complete operator’s manual, Windows software on CD-ROM, and AC adapter.
 
Price: $199 (basic unit). For more information, visit the OMEGA website.
 
PolyWorks Goes Xtreme 

PolyWorks 10 3D metrology software from InnovMetric Software, Inc.(Quebec City, QUE), has a rebuilt user interface based on the new Xtreme interface platform.
   
The  new PolyWorks 10 user interface not only lets you customize menus and  toolbars, you can also redefine the interface layout, including enabling  total control over windowpane location, visibility, and docking  constraints. Customized interface layouts can be saved to visual layout  files and be switched in real time. You can create simplified interface  layouts to optimize their workflows, or configure PolyWorks into direct  shop floor applications for increased user productivity.
 
For the  first time, InnovMetric is releasing PolyWorks for both 32- and64-bit  platforms. The 64-bit version will support an unlimited amount of data  points.
 
Additionally, PolyWorks 10 offers several major new  tools, such as anew version of its polygonal meshing tool, which is now  capable of running over a network of computers. V10 also has a  redesigned GD&Tengine based on patented Smart GD&T technology  licensed from MultiMetrics, and a new Airfoil gauge with algorithms that process datasets from various white-light and laser-based 3D digitizing devices.
 
For more information, visit InnovMetric Software.
 
8-Port Intelligent PCI Card Has 1 MB of SRAM 

The eAutomation Group of Advantech (Cincinnati, OH) has introduced thePCI-1625U, an 8-port intelligent  RS-232 universal PCI communication card with 1 MB of SRAM. The PCI-1625U  functions like a self-contained computer with an onboard DSP chip that  can take over the processing load from the host PC.
   
When the  PCI-1625U initializes, it will download the driver software into its  onboard DSP. There is a universal PCI connector that is compatible with  both the 3.3V PCI bus and the traditional 5V PCI bus.
 
A utility  program is included called ICOM Tools that tests the PCI  card performance by analyzing the port status. The menu commands and  toolbar buttons of ICOM Tools act as a PC-based data scope that lets you  set at rigger condition, capture the communications data, and monitor  the signal status.
 
According to Advantech, the PCI-1625U is  designed for industrial applications where a PC needs to communicate  with terminals, modems, or other instruments. You can install up to four  PCI-1625U cards for a total of 32 ports in any PCI bus-based PC.
 
Price: $225 to start; available directly from Advantech or an Advantech distributor. For more, go to the eAutomation Group of Advantech.
 
Fluid Dynamics Support for Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica 

Flomerics Ltd. (Marlborough, MA) has announced that its EFD. Pro Engineering Fluid  Dynamics (EFD) analysis software now can operate as an embedded  integrated interface within Pro/Engineer Mechanica from PTC(Needham, MA). Additionally, EFD.Pro now supports Wildfire 3.

EFD.Pro

EFD.Pro  enables engineers to investigate stresses and deformations due to flow  and heat transfer-induced loads. EFD.Pro results can be applied as loads  for structural analysis inside Pro/Engineer Mechanica. The automated  interface, EFD2MECHANICA, reduces the amount of time necessary for  preparing analysis models and enables the user to calculate structural  damages due to thermal loads. EFD.Pro also further complements current  Pro/Engineer Mechanica thermal analysis capabilities with such advanced  analyses as radiation.
 
EFD.Pro is used to design and optimize  products within the aerospace,automotive, HVAC, valves, medical device,  and fire protection industries.
 
EFD.Pro is available immediately. You can download a free technical demo of EFD.Pro from Flomerics.
 
Machine Motion for V5 

IMSce for V5 from IMS Software (Haverhill, MA) provides CNC controller emulation functionality within the CATIA V5 environment.
   
CATIA  V5 allows G-code validation without leaving the V5  environment. Controller emulation capabilities within IMSce for V5  provide the machine motion, while checking for syntax and logic errors,  and alerting the user when they occur.
 
While other CAM software  can provide NC verification with material removal and machine  simulation, they normally check only the toolpath generated by the  software, not the post processing, optimization, or hand-editing that  occurs between the CAM system and the machine. Controller emulation  provides processing of machine-specific G- an dM-code, allowing the  integrated verification and simulation within V5to check the actual  data that drives the machine, not just the toolpath. For more, go to IMS Software.

Get DA at the Point of Measurement   

Measurement Computing Corp. (Norton, MA) has released the WLS-TC and the WLS-TEMP, a pair of two  wireless temperature input devices that provide the flexibility and  convenience of installing data acquisition devices at the point of  measurement. Based upon the company’s USB-TC and the USB-TEMP devices,  the WLS-TC and the WLS-TEMP enable you to acquire and process  temperature data for monitoring and control applications at distances up  to 150 feet indoors or as much as 2460feet line-of-sight outdoors.

Measurement Computing

Essentially  identical to the USB devices, WLS-TC and the WLS-TEMP are equipped with  an RF module that supports low-power wireless sensor networks as well as  meets the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for telecommunications and information  exchange between systems. Both modules require minimal power and operate  within the ISM 2.4 GHz frequency band.
 
The WLS-TC and the  WLS-TEMP leverage a small PC interface module(WLS-IFC) that you connect  with your computer’s USB port. This, in turn, enables communications  with a virtually limitless number ofWLS-TCs and WLS-TEMPs, according to  the manufacturer.
 
The WLS-TC unit supports eight channels of J,  K, R, S, T, N, E, and Btype thermocouples. The WLS-TEMP also supports  eight channels of data from the same group of thermocouples as well as  RTDs, thermistors, and semiconductor temperature sensors.
 
The  WLS-TC and the WLS-TEMP come with all software drivers andTracerDAQ  data management and analysis software. TracerDAQ converts and saves  temperature and alarm data to standard, comma-delimited, .CSV files, and  it also plots and analyzes real-time data or historical temperature  files.
 
Price: $599 (complete WLS-TC system  including WLS-IFC RF modules and software); $799 (similarly equipped  WLS-TEMP); $149 (module alone). For more information, visit Measurement Computing.

Integrate CAD and Thermal Analysis   

Version 2.5 of the SINDA/G plug-in for Patran from Network Analysis,Inc. (NAI; Chandler, AZ) fully integrates the thermal analysis features of  SINDA/G with the FEA (finite element analysis) pre- and post processing  capabilities of Patran from MSC. Software (Santa Ana, CA).

SINDA/G for Patran

The  SINDA/G for Patran plug-in allows for the seamless integration of the  two programs with all major functions of both software  programs supported, according to NAI. Further, the transparent  integration lets you operate such thermal features as convection,  surface-to-surface radiation, and heating, without having to know the  format of SINDA/G or thermal radiation codes.
 
NAI describes  SINDA/G for Patran as fully compatible with Patran and MSC.Nast ran. It  supports thermal radiation and orbital heating industry standard  programs, including Thermica, Nevada, and TRASYS. This is said to  include a radiation super-element concept and true geometric primitives  that are passed to thermal radiation codes. The thermal result generated  by SINDA/G for Patran can be used by MSC.Nastran to calculate thermal  stresses and distortions.
 
SINDA/G for Patran allows the thermal  features of SINDA/G — convection equations, programming logic or entire  subroutines — to be incorporated in Patran-generated models. The SINDA/G  for Patran plug-in includes aPatran-style graphical user interface.
 
V2.5 of SINDA/G for Patran runs on Windows and Unix workstations. Price: $4,000 (plug-in alone); $4,000 (SINDA/G).
 
For further details, visit Network Analysis, Inc.

Star-P Opens Up   

Interactive Supercomputing (ISC; Waltham, MA) has introduced Star-P2.4, a version of its Star-P  software, which serves as an open software platform that supports  popular desktop tools, numerical libraries, and hardware accelerators,  enabling them to run in a high-performance computing (HPC) environment  without  re-programming.
   
Star-P 2.4 offers an enhanced API  called Star-P Open Connect, that lets you plug in numerical libraries and  solvers. You can plug in existing serial and parallel libraries, work on  them with your preferred desktop tool, and execute the code in task- or  data-parallel modes. The Star-P Open Connect Library API also enables  organizations to parallelize internally developed serial libraries.
 
Star-P  2.4’s open architecture also lets you tap the computational power, I/O,  and memory of third-party hardware accelerators such as math  coprocessors, field programmable gate arrays, and graphics processing  units. Through the Star-P Open connect Library API,compute-intensive  algorithms embedded in hardware appear as standard library functions  that can be accessed via a desktop application.
 
Price: $7,995 (starting price for a 4-socket server license). For complete details, go to Interactive Supercomputing.

3D Laser Scanning for Entry-Level Users   

Perceptron (Plymouth, MI), a supplier of 3D laser scanning sensors for portable and  fixed CMMs, has released the ScanWorks V3 sensor, an entry-level  scanning product based on the company’s ScanWorks V4itechnology.

ScanWorks V3

With  an accuracy of 34 microns (0.0013 in.) at 2 sigma, the ScanWorksV3  sensor has the ability to capture more than 1.35 million points  per minute.
 
Along with this hardware offering, Perceptron has  updated its scanning software to include a new Microsoft Windows  XP-style interface,intelligent sensor calibration, real-time point  shading, and improved automatic-exposure control. Another new feature is  IDM (Intelligent Density Management), which constantly monitors the  incoming data and can limit scan data in low-interest areas.
 
For more information, visit the Perceptron website.

Software Offers Ethernet Diagnostics

Schneider Electric (Palatine, IL) introduced the Telemecanique brandConneXview industrial  Ethernet diagnostic tool, designed to map,monitor, and troubleshoot  industrial Ethernet networks.

ConneXview

The software system offers automatic  device discovery, as well as Ethernet device (SNMP) and control-network  device (Modbus/TCP) mapping.In addition, it has a color-enhanced  graphical user interface with task panels for device status, settings  and alarms, and topological visual graphics.
 
The diagnostics can  recognize Ethernet segments and device issues via color codes and  automatically prioritize and notify the administrators using e-mail  messaging. There is also an ability to add third-party devices to the  library using unique device names for increased recognition.
 
For more information on Telemecanique automation and control products, visit Schneider Electric.
 
Digital Camera Chip Sensor for Automotive 

The digital OV7710 Camera chip advanced CMOS image sensor from OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) has been developed specifically for the automotive industry.
   
Digital  output is used in automotive machine-vision applications such as airbag  deployment, lane departure warning, collision avoidance/pedestrian  detection, windshield wiper control, and drowsiness detection.
 
The  OV7710 is a 0.25-inch, single-chip VGA digital video camera,  which incorporates a 640 x 480 image array that can operate up to 30  frames per second. It allows for both a dynamic and a static visual aid  layer(text or graphics) within the image. The sensor uses algorithms  to cancel Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN), remove smearing, and reduce  blooming.
 
The OV7710 works in low-light conditions and from -40°  to 105° Celsius. Samples are available in QFP and CLCC package formats.  A black-and-white version is also available. For more, visit OmniVisionTechnologies.
 
PXI Products for Production Testing 

A new line of PXI products designed for high-speed automated production testing from Keithley Instruments (Cleveland, OH) gives test engineers and designers both high-speed data  acquisition and accurate trigger synchronization. The line is said to  enable users to design effective hybrid test system architectures.
   
The  new line has data acquisition boards, multifunction analog I/O boards,  high-speed analog output boards, a 130 MSps digitizer module,digital  I/O modules, PXI chassis, embedded PC controllers, MXI bridges(for  remote PC control), and GPIB cards.
 
Keithley specifically  mentions its 2600 System Source Meter as a precision instrument that  integrates well with the KPXI products. Keithley KPXI products include  software examples and drivers that work with LabView, Microsoft .NET,  Visual Basic, and C programming languages. For details on specific  products, click here. Click here togo to the Keithley Instruments home page.
 
CoCreate and TechnoStar Announce Integration 

CoCreate Software (Fort Collins, CO) and TechnoStar Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,Japan) have announced an integration of their development  environments to streamline exchanges between design and simulation in  the PLM process.
   
The direct connection between CoCreate’s 3D CAD  software, CoCreate OneSpace Modeling, and TechnoStar’s simulation  environment,TSV-Solutions, allows engineers to analyze products for  real-world conditions while they design with digital simulation  software. The integration also allows the exchange of information so  design and simulation run in parallel.
 
The integration, developed  by TechnoStar with support from CoCreate, is part of the TSV-Solutions  product suite. TechnoStar will offer the integration starting with  version 1.3 of TSV-Solutions.
 
For more about TechnoStar, click here. Click here to go to the CoCreate home page.
 
Golden Software Releases Grapher 7 

Golden Software, Inc. (Golden, CO) has upgraded Grapher, its 2D and 3Dgraphing package, with  more than 100 new features and enhancements. Grapher 7 converts data  into one of 40 fully customizable graph types.   

Grapher 7

Among the new  features is the ability to record actions from the user interface  directly to a script to automate repetitive tasks. Users no longer have  to manually create the scripts in the Scripter programming language (or  any other supported language, such as C++, Visual Basic,or Perl).  Grapher can write the scripts and users can run the script whenever  desired.

Two other notable upgrades are the ability to add line  plots together to create a summation plot to view the sum of multiple  lines and compare different line graphs in a single location, and the  ability to create class scatter plots to display multivariate data by  changing the symbol properties of an X,Y symbol plot based on a third  data variable.
 
  Other enhancements include the new Stiff plot for  hydrologists,allowing the user to change the outlier definition for a  box-whisker plot, importing data directly from database files, and an  improved Graph Wizard. Grapher is written for use with Windows 2000, XP,  and higher.
 
Price: $349. For more information, visit Golden Software.
 
Scan-to-Print Extends Large-Format Support 

Contex (Herndon, VA) has released JETimage 6.3.2 scan-to-print software. This  version supports the closed loop calibration sheet in a center-feed  position for the G600 series of Contex scanners and provides