Bedford, Massachusetts-based Computervision Corp has a string of new computer-aided design and manufacturing packages; Windows NT versions of its existing packages; and expanded support for hardware and operating systems from Sun Microsystems Inc, Digital Equipment Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co and Microsoft Corp. The company now has a version of the CADDS 5 parametric modelling software for the DECstation 5000 workstation – the first alternate Unix system on which CADDS 5 is supported: this version is out this month. The Medusa two- and three-dimensional design and drafting software now runs on Hewlett’s HP 9000 700 line. Computervision has also been demonstrating a pre-release version of its CVdesign parametric modelling software running under NT – to be made available once Windows NT starts shipping. NT versions of CVdesign, CV-DORS, CVware View & Markup and CVware Conferencing CAD/CAM products are promised for 1993. CVdesign parametric modelling software is the newest member of the CVware family, comprising stand-alone, task-oriented design modules. It is the first product to use the company’s new core technology strategy which makes common functions such as parametric modelling available to users across all software families. The CVware Conferencing product enables users to collaborate on the same project drawing from remote locations or different types of systems. The CADDS 5 parametric modelling software, intended to help manufacturers integrate product design, anticipate design requirements and ensure the suitability of their ideas for manufacturing, includes feature-based modelling, variational geometry, a sketcher, an on-line engineering calculator, intelligent and customisable user interface, X Window access, and, Computervision claims, the industry’s broadest suite of integrated applications. A Concurrent Assembly Mock-up feature now enables design teams to see the work of all engineers and designers working simultaneously on large, complex product assemblies like aeroplane wings and car assemblies. Team members can then create and modify parts in the context of the overall assembly, resulting in elimination of design conflicts, fewer design iterations, and speedy time to market. Two new CADDS 5 mechanical engineering products also expand the family of integrated analysis offerings for design engineers: ThermaLab helps design engineers anticipate and correct heat transfer problems early in the design process; and PlasticsLab enables designers to model and test plastic components, early in the design process, for plastic material distribution, mould filling temperature and pressure.
Engineering Data Management
Engineering Data Management release 5.0 software for controlling, managing and distributing electronic data files generated by computer-aided applications is also new. Revision 5.0 includes a new X Window graphical user interface for remote file management, graphical user interface for complex assembly design review management, attribute data management functionality, and the introduction of two product categories for small to large users. A new addition to the CVware family is CVpvs, described by Computervision as the industry’s first multiple system walk-through. It is a computer-aided project visualisation system that enables mechanical and manufacturing users to enter any large-scale three-dimensional design project to gain a more complete understanding of structure and appearance from every angle. No prices for anything.
