Manufacturing Technology

Stuttgart – The large-scale project, known internally as PLM2015, has been completed and the new Siemens NX CAD software has been introduced. Key criteria to switch from the CATIA V5 design software, which had been used for many years, to Siemens NX, were the improvement of efficiency and sustainability – and the wish to integrate the product data management software currently used by Daimler, which forms the IT framework for all the development and product planning processes, with the CAD system. Dr Michael Gorriz, CIO Daimler: “I would like to thank all the people who have worked so hard to complete our biggest IT migration project in recent decades to the planned schedule. The introduction of the new design and product data software not only means that we are well prepared for the future. We have also taken the opportunity to bring our engineering processes in line with the highest standards in the automotive industry. Since 2012, more than 6,200 users throughout the company have received training. Some 33 role-based training modules were made available in German and English, and special courses were offered in Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish. In peak periods, over 300 employees from the research and development office in Bangalore, India, were working on the migration of data from CATIA V5 to NX. In total, more than 235,000 CAD objects were migrated to the new software. All relevant suppliers either already use Siemens NX or have switched to Siemens NX in response to the software migration at Daimler. Close communication with all the relevant suppliers has safeguarded this important point in the supply chain. Daimler and Siemens will continue to work together closely on the further development of NX.

SINGAPORE — 22 May 2015 — Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting systems, is introducing the ProNest® 2015 Version 11.1 today, which includes both new and enhanced features to its latest ProNest CAD/CAM software. One significant Version 11.1 feature is a new quoting tool that can calculate per part and total costs for any job. This tool is ideal for job shops, metal service centers, and other fabricators who need to quote work to external customers. In addition to using baseline material and production costs, the tool is capable of including secondary operations in the final cost, and the addition of mark-ups or discounts for certain customers and jobs. The ProNest 2015 Version 11.1 release also includes enhancements in support of waterjet cutting. The software is now capable of applying four waterjet pierce types (dynamic, circle, wiggle, and stationary) automatically through the use of embedded process parameters. The software applies the right pierce type based on lead length, material type and thickness, as well as the available space around the pierce site, and pierce duration, all without the need for programmer input. Another enhancement, used primarily for waterjet cutting, is the addition of “Quality colors”, a feature that allows programmers to color-code parts based on quality values, while in 2D CAD or while using ProNest’s “Advanced Edit” feature. Quality colors are also shown on the nest. A full list of new features and enhancements is available at www.hyperthermCAM.com; however additional notable highlights of this release include interior cut-up for laser cutting, enhanced SOLIDWORKS® assembly import, improved cut process Class selection, and material mapping by grade and type. This new ProNest 2015 Version 11.1 release is available to current subscribers at no-charge. Subscribers simply need to log in to the online Knowledge Base, and select the […]

The Electric Self Balancing Dual Wheel scooter, the “Galactic Wheels 400” With 2x 200 Watt electric motors, generates enough power to propel you along at up to 10kmph and the 8000mAh batter provides enough juice for a range of 25 to 30km.  If you don’t have a bus or car that can take you door to door from home to work or school then the “Galactic Wheels 400” is the option for you. Designed to fill the void in that last part of your journey it can turn a daily commuter in to a pleasurable fun experience. With speeds up to 10kmph and a range of 25 to 30km this 2 Wheel stand up electric rideable is the next step in personal transportation.  With a futuristic look and smooth ride that’s powerful enough to conquer gentle inclines you can easily get wherever you’re going without breaking a sweat.  There are two sensors under each foot plate that detect the difference in pressure from your feet when leaning forward or backwards. By simply leaning slightly you can effortlessly glide along in total control. Each wheel is driven independently by a 200 Watt electric motor so you can even pivot and turn on the spot. With powerful gyroscopes the “Galactic Wheels 400” dual wheeled electric scooter will keep you upright as you’re carried to your destination. Just like the Silver Surfers board this transportation device is like something out of another world, and will turn any mundane journey into an enjoyable and fun experience.  The powerful 8000mAh battery can keep the Dual wheel scooter going for up to 3 hours and weighing a little over 10 kilograms it can even accompany you on the bus or metro so it makes a perfect environmentally friendly solution for that last part of your commute […]

It has the ability to morph (change shape), propel itself and turn quickly in water (i.e. super-manoeuvrability) efficiently and silently, lending itself to future possibilities in surveillance and inspection. Scientists in Singapore have developed a new octopus-inspired robot which can zip through water 10 times its body length within one second, in an ultra-efficient manner. This first-ever ultra-fast propulsion and super-manoeuvrability demonstrated in underwater vehicles is unprecedented; and is the work of researchers and an engineer from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART). This ground-breaking research validates the physics of shape change (that forms the basis of jet propulsion of cephalopods) to give additional thrust to underwater vehicles. Inspired by the speed at which cephalopods like the octopus, flee from danger by inflating its mantle cavity with water to a bluff-body shape and then quickly expelling it to dart away, the researchers started building an octopus-inspired robot in November 2013. The end result is a polycarbonate 3D printed streamlined skeleton which had no moving parts and no energy storage device other than a thin elastic outer membrane. It works like blowing up a balloon and then releasing it to fly around the room. The 27cm long robot is inflated with water and once released, rapidly deflates by shooting the water out through an aperture at its base to power its propulsion. As the rocket contracts, it can achieve more than 2.6 times the thrust of a rigid rocket doing the same manoeuvre, while creating minimum turbulence – an important feature in underwater research / survey vehicles. The skeleton within the robot keeps the final shape streamlined, while fins at the tail, help in stabilisation. When a fish escapes by swimming fast, it bends its body and zooms through the water, losing some energy to the surrounding water and […]

South Korea: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics, a consumer electronics manufacturer in Korea, has selected Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) business to deploy a new PLM system based on its Teamcenter software. Siemens was selected for its understanding of Dongbu Daewoo Electronics’ PLM objectives and business vision. The new system is expected to improve the manufacturer’s R&D process, increase product quality, reduce costs and enhance overall productivity throughout product development. “We selected Siemens PLM Software following a thorough review and evaluation,” said Jang-hee Lee, Executive Vice President of the R&D Center, Dongbu Daewoo Electronics. “With this implementation, we are expecting to see an improvement in employees’ productivity and design quality. The deployment of the structured and logical R&D system will give Dongbu Daewoo Electronics new opportunities to enhance our competitiveness in the industry.” Dongbu Daewoo Electronics will use Teamcenter as the foundation of its new PLM platform. The company expects to improve its project-based R&D process management and design quality with a more structured system that makes it easy to access information instantly for informed decision making. Teamcenter will also help the company increase productivity and reduce product development costs by managing all active files, such as 3D and 2D product data and other general documents, more effectively. “We are extremely excited to be a partner of Dongbu Daewoo Electronics,” said Jung Chul, Vice President of Siemens PLM Software, Korea. “As a leading supplier of PLM software to the manufacturing industry, we are confident the completed PLM implementation will help our customer achieve success in their design innovation and business goals.” Teamcenter received high scores in the evaluation conducted by Dongbu Daewoo Electronics for its rapid deployment and excellent performance. It was also evaluated on its superior capabilities for project management, product information integration and technological document management. Teamcenter is the world’s […]