No Cadam for non-IBM systems, but IBM introduces Cadam Version 3 for MVS/ESA, VM/XA
IBM, having killed Cadam Inc’s attempts to make its software available on several competing systems by outbidding everyone on Lockheed’s computer-aided design operation (CI No 1,397), made several Version 3 Cadam product announcements. Cadam Version 3 offers expanded operating system support with the addition of MVS/ESA and VM/XA environments, and there is new tiering for interactive solids design and three dimensional mesh geometry. Interactive Solids Design is a modelling system that enables users to manipulate and render three-dimensional designs as if they were physical systems, and mesh geometry interfaces to a number of computer-aided engineering tools. There is also an Enhancement Subscription Service that enables the one-time charge customer to maintain program currency and receive code fixes. The Cadam Lathe product allows automated Numerical Control programming of turned parts. It is a lathe programming system for producing roughing,finishing, recessing, and threading operations. Special macros enable the Numerical Control part programmer to control installation defined tool libraries, set default material feeds and speeds, and define special machine options. The Cadam Computer-Aided Dimensional Inspection Measurement System is an interface between the Cadam Numerical Control II system and computer-controlled coordinate measuring machines. The system supports two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry and provides real-time error feedback and correction. A no-charge upgrade for current users to Version 3 is available for one year, and current one-time charge option users of Cadam who choose to upgrade to Version 3 may do so at no additional charge until March 30, 1991. IBM’s 9371 Models 10, 12, and 14 and the IBM 7437 are supported, and a quarter inch tape medium is now available for the 9370. In a VM environment the minimum machine requirements are an IBM processor supported by VM/SP Release 4, 5, or 6, and VM/HPO Release 4.2, 5, or 6, with a minimum of 4Mb of main storage. Or, processors supported by VM/XA-SP Release 2.0 with a minimum of 4Mb of main storage. In an MVS environment the requirements are processors supported by MVS/SP Version 1 Release 3.4 or later, with a minimum of 8Mb of main storage. Also, IBM processors supported by MVS/XA 2.1.3 or later, with a minimum of 8Mb of main storage, and any IBM processor supported by MVS/ESA 3.1 or later. These requirements are applicable to all the above except for Interactive Solids Design. It does not run under MVS/SP Version 1, and requires 4.872Mb below the 16Mb line and 4.404Mb above that line when supported under MVS/XA 2.1.3.
IBM picks up Dassault’s Catia Data Management and Data Management Access extensions
IBM claims that the new Catia Data Management and Catia Data Management Access, improve design engineering access to the computer-aided three dimensional interactive application, Catia. IBM says that the software, which runs under VM and MVS on System 370s, will enable design engineers to store information in data bases for easier retrieval. Available from September, Catia Data Management costs between $20,000 and $250,000, and Catia Data Management Access is from $5,000 to $56,000. Catia Data Management Version 1 for VM/370 and MVS/XA is IBM’s product for managing Catia and Catia-associated data for the Dassault Systeme SA computer-aided design and manufacturing system. Engineering data generated by Catia applications may be managed by Catia Data Management and linked to non-Catia data. Based on IBM’s Systems Application Architecture database products, Version 1 is designed to provide extensions required in a Computer-Integrated Manufacturing environment. Build time services include data modelling, application and user access definition, security management, and various customising features. Version 1 manages data in an operational repository and data store through an interactive interface, a batch command processing interface, and an Application Programming I
nterface. The engineering data man agement functions include long-term locking of entities and triggering of application prog rams, and build-time services include data structure modelling, user management and secur ity management. There are run-time services, such as long field import and export, and syst em management services for customising Catia Data Management according to enterprise and user requirements. IBM says system growth is facilitated through CDM/I, a batch command pro cessing interface, and the Application Program ming Interface; it’s available September 1990.
New relationships with Catia DM 1
The announcement of Catia Data Management Version 1 has been accompanied by a number of new product relationships. The Computer Integrated Manufacturing Communications and Data Facility, CIM CDF, is a product for managing data in computer-aided manufacturing applications. It is an operational repository and data store product, and manages data between computer-integrated manufacturing applications. The first of these is ProductManager which manages product data, processes information from engineering inception through release to manufacturing, and plans and controls the release of engineering changes. CIM CDF enables the integration of design data from IBM and non-IBM systems across multiple sites and nodes. IBM has previously said that it intends to build on the functions of CIM CDF and OfficeVision to enhance the functions of computer-integrated manufacturing applications. IBM declares that this will eventually converge the application-specific library, operational repository and store functions, interfacing with Repository Manager, and sharing data within the same environment. Application-specific data that is not shared can go directly into private data stores.
Catia Data Management Access v3
Catia Data Management Access Version 3 is an application that manages both Catia and Catia-associated data in a relational database. It is claimed to exploit the data management functions provided by Catia Data Management Version 1, as well as the interactive graphics environment of Catia. The main features are user profiles to customise access to data, enhanced system management by means of triggers, security and long-term locks on data. Version 3 has an open architecture based on CDM, CATGEO, GII, and IUA interfaces, and it will be available September, 1990. – Janice McGinn
