Engineering design software company Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC) has launched in New Zealand I-DEAS Master Series 5, the latest version of its CAD/CAM/CAE software.
The company claims a number of customer-driven performance improvements and enhancements for designing, analysing and manufacturing large, complex parts and assemblies in a collaborative environment.
SDRC says Master Series 5 aids the development of electronic prototypes of products from the motor vehicle, aerospace, electro-mechanical and industrial equipment industries. It includes VGX (extended variational technology), a new feature which provides an intuitive way of designing products in 3D, and combines the best features of the two modelling paradigms currently on the market, direct geometry manipulation and history-based modelling, the company says.
In CAD, the product is said to contain improvements in complex part design, advanced surfacing, associative tool design and collaborative design in the context of large assemblies. In the CAE area, it adds capabilities for FE modelling, sound quality engineering and durability analysis. In CAM, it leverages SDRC’s recent acquisition of Camax by offering the first level of integration of the Camand and Generative Machining technologies.
I-DEAS Master Series 5 is available concurrently on Unix and NT platforms. Customers can choose from ten application sets, which are priced from about $18,000. Local customers include CHH Plastics, Ford Motors and Tranz Rail.
I-DEAS Artisan Series software, the NT-only “younger brother” of Master Series, was launched in February. Artisan, which lacks Master Series’ team-environment data management functionality, is priced at about $10,000. I-DEAS is distributed in New Zealand by Imag, ph: 0-9-302 5310.
* Meanwhile, IMSI has released Turbo-CAD v4 and TurboCAD v4 Professional, the newest versions of its low-end computer-aided design and drafting software.
The company says both products offer expanded functionality, enhanced compatibility with AutoCAD and other CAD software, improved Internet connectivity, integrated raster-to-vector conversion and more symbols and content.
V4 is priced at $269 including GST, while v4 Professional sells for $749 including GST, from Noel Leeming, Dick Smith and other outlets. Upgrades contact IMSI Australia, ph: 00061-2-9319 7533.