Peace of Mind with CATIA V5
By Bryan Felsher, True Precision
In our last article, we described why Outsourcing CNC programming is a cost-effective solution. We briefly named the many reasons. Among them: shrinking the engineering backlog, the ability to take on extra projects, and most importantly tremendous financial advantage.
However, CATIA allows us to offer our customers something even more important: peace of mind. Like most contract/consulting businesses the “when it rains, it pours” cliché definitely applies to us. CNC programming by its nature is a seasonal up and down business. And, it takes much more than talent as an NC programmer to survive.
We feel that this would not be possible without the use of the CATIA CAD/CAM system.
With CATIA, everything is linked. This does not just mean Model to Toolpath as in other CAM systems, but Model to Catalogued Toolpaths to Proven Processes to Customer Data Bases to Verification Records/Reports to the NC Program and finally to the Set-up Instructions/Tool Lists.
The data that comes from our customer is exactly the data we program from. That same data is exactly what is verified. All toolpaths are copy-linked from individual customer catalogs that are saved in CATIA -with every detail of every path pre-configured from previous jobs that gave good results. Having many customers, each with unique machines, tooling, and preferred methods requires extreme efficiency and organization. Even the instruction sheets are linked to CATIA by custom-written VB scripts which eliminate human error in tool descriptions/set-up sheets that could potentially create scrap even after CATIA says the program is good. These scripts work by pulling the exact data that was used in the solid model machine verification directly from CATIA and inserts the data into forms automatically. This way we know that the tool-lists and set-up sheets will be error free so when our CATIA verification report shows a collision free and part violation-free program, we know that the set-up sheet will contain the exact data to support this.
One of the greatest features of CATIA is its powerful visualization. When using CATIA everything is seen on the screen. We can see the part run while held in a custom fixture on the machine table and see the exact plan of attack. This is important when a customer needs a program updated to a new engineering order that was programmed two years and a thousand parts ago. We can watch the simulation and 5 minutes later, our memories are refreshed, and we can continue as if we left off programming yesterday. It makes it easy to manage many projects at once, and we can even record and provide these simulations for your enjoyment. Well…they’re fun to watch!
All these things allow us to remain competitive and offer powerful service and support to all of our customers. They give us all the data and we take care of the NRE. Our customers get to relax with the engineering off their hands so they can focus on sales, marketing, management, and making money- knowing that their important engineering tasks are in good hands. Using CATIA, we have maintained a zero scrap rate and 100% on-time delivery for the past 3 years since switching to the CATIA system. Don’t get us wrong- as many know, CATIA is not simple software. It is vast and complex and requires years to master and some never really have the time to figure it out. We here at True Precision have invested many years to become experts using CATIA’s powerful tools and for us, it has become simple and second nature. We’re very happy and proud of that, and more importantly- our customers have valuable peace of mind.
CATIA Gains a Performance, Manageability and Security Boost with HP Blade Workstation Solutions
The Dassault Systèmes CATIA V5 and V6 Platforms offer users unprecedented capability to collaborate and innovate on a global scale throughout the product design and development process. Dassault Systèmes next-generation V6 PLM 2.0 solution set enables users to develop and simulate product production and use in an immersive 3D environment, enabling the development process to be streamlined and products to be brought to market more quickly and efficiently. Recently, Dassault Systèmes and HP announced support for CATIA V5 and V6 on HP’s Blade Workstations running both 32 and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows XP.
With HP Blade Workstation solutions, V5 and V6 users and administrators can centralize all their workstations in a single data center, where they can be properly secured and maintained, without any loss of user productivity. Imagine being able to access the power of a full-scale workstation, with all your files and data, from almost anywhere on the continent where network access is available, without losing any performance? With HP Blade Workstation Solutions, all this is possible and more.
High security with high performance
Users operating in secure environments and users who design in cooperative groups, are generally required to download their files from a central data center to work on them and restore them to the data center when finished. File access is strictly limited to ensure confidentiality and effective version controls, but as the files get larger this simple task can be time very consuming, especially if the database is located miles away.
This environment is ideal for HP Blade Workstation Solutions. Not only are the files centrally located, but the entire execution of applications is kept secure in the data center. The only information that is set out over the wire are encrypted, compressed image pixels, the client sends back encrypted, user input: keystrokes, mouse movements, and optional USB data; the actual files, applications and executable code remain safe behind the firewalls in the data center. This is made possible by HP Remote Graphics Software, long available as an option for workstation users on the move, but now an integral part of the HP Blade Workstation Solution.
The HP Blade Workstation Solution is also ideal for workgroups where individual users need to move from location to location, such as engineers who often need to work remotely at a customer or job site and users who often work from home. With HP Blade Workstations, there is no need to maintain separate infrastructure at customer sites or user residences to maintain productivity and there is no security vulnerability. Mobile and remote workers can access their HP Blade Workstations over the network from relatively inexpensive notebook computers, keeping productivity and security high and costs low.
Ease of upkeep
Comprehensive PLM engineering platforms like Dassault Systèmes CATIA V5 and V6 are machine intensive and a workstation that was more than adequate this year, may need more memory or a better graphics card next year. Upgrading or troubleshooting hardware across an organization can be very difficult when individual workstations are spread throughout the building, region or even further. With all workstations located in a central data center, technical support issues can be managed much more efficiently.
Even more cost effective is the possibility to combine Blade Workstations, Blade Servers and Blade Storage in one rack to create a complete "PLM in a box" solution with CATIA and SmarTeam. The Blade racks themselves are available in different sizes to accommodate different needs and organizational growth.
Mating the power and capabilities of CATIA V5 and V6 to HP Blade Workstations in a robust, reliable manner is possible only through the close cooperation and long-history of collaboration and partnership between Dassault Systèmes and HP. HP workstation platforms are rigorously tested, optimized and certified in the HP-DS PLM Competency Center at Dassault Systèmes headquarters in Paris, France to assure robust, high-performance IT infrastructure solutions that support the Dassault Systèmes V6 platform.
With HP Blade Workstation Solutions, V5 and V6 users can enjoy greater security, manageability and performance, achieving better utilization and protection of assets, more effective physical upkeep, more flexible work options and a more livable work environment. Productivity is enhanced and greater competitiveness is achieved.
For more information on HP ProLiant Blade Workstation Solutions, visit http://www.hp.com/go/bladeworkstation.
To view the official Dassault Systemes Certification Document for the HP Blade Workstation click here.
3Dconnexion 3D Mice Supported by Adobe® Acrobat 9 Family of Products
3Dconnexion’s award-winning line of 3D mice is now supported by the recently released Adobe® Acrobat® 9 family of products, including Acrobat 9 Reader, Acrobat 9 Standard, Acrobat 9 Pro, and the new Acrobat 9 Pro Extended.
Unlike mice confined to motion on one flat plane, 3Dconnexion’s 3D mice enable users to move in all three dimensions simultaneously, using six degrees of freedom. By gently lifting, pressing and turning the controller, Acrobat users can easily navigate to pan and zoom within 2D PDF documents as well as rotate 3D objects embedded within a PDF document in Adobe 3D Reviewer software. An added benefit is that while the 3D mouse is being used to control an object, the traditional mouse can be used to simultaneously select menu commands.
Additional highlights regarding availability and support:
- 3Dconnexion’s 3D mice are supported by Acrobat 9 Reader, Acrobat 9 Standard, Acrobat 9 Pro, and Acrobat 9 Pro Extended on Windows® XP and Vista®, as well as Acrobat 9 Reader and Acrobat 9 Pro on Mac® OS X 10.4.6 or higher, including Leopard.
- SpaceNavigator Personal Edition (MSRP $59), SpaceNavigator Standard Edition (MSRP $99), SpaceNavigator for Notebooks (MSRP $129), SpaceExplorer™ (MSRP $299), and SpacePilot™ (MSRP $399) are available from major online resellers, including Amazon, Buy.com, CDW, Dell, and PC Mall, as well as directly at www.3Dconnexion.com.
- 3Dconnexion provides advanced and affordable 3D mice that are supported by more than 130 of today’s leading and powerful 3D applications, including Adobe Photoshop® CS3 Extended, Autodesk 3ds Max® and Maya®, CATIA, Google Earth™ and SketchUp®, Microsoft® Virtual Earth™, NX™, Pro/ENGINEER®, Second Life Grid® Platform, SolidWorks®, and all of the top-tier 3D CAD applications. For a complete list of applications supported by 3Dconnexion, visit: www.3dconnexion.com/solutions/cad/all_sup_app.php.
HP Ups the Ante in the Mobile Workstation Market…Again
On August 11, 2008 HP announced a pair of new mobile workstations that set a new standard in performance, durability, reliability and design.
Today’s graphics power- users, whether they be engineers, architects, or designers and animators demand more. They not only need power to run their mission critical applications: graphics that render their ideas and visions accurately and rapidly, and displays that provide true and consistent visualization, they also need to be able to take them wherever they go with no compromises. HP’s new EliteBook 8730W and 8530W mobile workstations are designed to meet these needs and then exceed them.
Road Warrior Tough
While all notebook computers are portable, some are more road-ready than others. HP’s new EliteBook series are built and tested to comply with the military standard MILSTD 810F which includes standards for dust resistance and altitude. The HP DuraCase is a honeycombed Magnesium alloy designed to provide rigid protection from the bumps and scratches of mobile use. HP 3D Drive Guard technology protects the hard rives installed in the computer from drops and impacts that will kill other notebooks dead. HP DuraKeys are designed to be resistant to dust and moisture so that accidental spills, rain and dirty work environments don’t stop the creative process in its tracks. While not technically “Ruggedized” in the true sense of the term, The HP EliteBook mobile workstations are built tough to serve you reliably at the office, on the road and even off the road if necessary.
Accurate, Consistent Visualization
With a 17 inch widescreen display, the HP Elite Book 8730W mobile workstation is a true desktop replacement workstation, and with the optional 1920x1200 pixel, DreamColor LED backed screen option, you may get even better visualization from this notebook than from any desktop workstation you have ever used. A cousin of HP’s standalone 24-inch DreamColor LED-backlit display, this display option offers up to one billion colors of true-to-life color, texture and tone, more than can be offered by any other mobile workstation maker on the market. And because HP DreamColor displays can be custom calibrated, All your mobile workstation display and your desktop displays can be set to identical schemes to ensure absolute consistency throughout your work environments and organization.
Of course the best display options in the world aren’t worth much without reliable graphics solutions, and HP leads the industry in this area thanks to its close partnerships with ISV’s like Dassault Systemes and graphics providers like NVIDIA and ATI. HP’s new mobile workstations are available with a variety of ISV-certified workstation graphics solutions with up to 512 MB of VRAM support in the HP EliteBook 8530w and up to 1GB of VRAM in the HP EliteBook 8730w, OpenGL and DirectX-10 offering outstanding performance, and visual accuracy to run your most demanding graphic intensive applications. Dual Link DVI gives you support (through optional docking) for ultra-high resolution monitors and the eSATA port provides fast and easy connection to an external storage device.
Engineering Excellence Yields Greater Portable Performance
At only 6.3 pounds and only 1.1 inches thin, the HP EliteBook 8530w mobile workstation is designed to go with you wherever you need to work, comfortably. Over a pound lighter than its big brother, it features a big 15.4 inch widescreen monitor and slightly smaller keyboard to yield a more portable package. Despite its smaller size, the 8530w doesn’t give up anything in performance. Like the HP EliteBook 8730w, the 8530w features the latest in Intel multi-core processors and up to 8 GB of DDR2 RAM operating in a true 64-bit operating system so this portable powerhouse can handle almost anything you can dish out.
High-Def Ready
High-Definition video is the new standard,and the HP EliteBook mobile workstations are ready to record, rewrite and playback high definition (HD) video with the optional Blu-ray R/RE DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL Drive, and the convenient HDMI port allows you to connect to HDTVs and displays when needed.
Both EliteBook mobile workstations offer a complete array of connections and networking options including WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0, and gigabit Ethernet. There are also an ExpressCard slots, four USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, HDMI, VGA, and 1394 connectors for various peripherals, monitors, input devices and accessories. Both models also offer a unique 2.0 megapixel webcam that also doubles as a business card reader, so you never have to forget a name or phone number again, or spend precious time typing them into your contacts.
Of course an engineer or designers computer should look as good as the designs created on it, and the HP EliteBook mobile workstations meet this challenge as well, with sleek, modern, brushed aluminum exteriors that demand serious attention.
Once again, HP combines power, performance and portability to establish a new standard in mobile workstation computing. The HP EliteBook 8730w and 8530w mobile workstations are as elite as their names.
For more information about HP EliteBook mobile workstations click here. |