Desktop Engineering Blog

REAL-TIME COLLABORATION

In this short video you will see some of the powerful live collaboration tools of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform in a scenario where two designers (Justin and Alex) are working on different parts within the same product.

In an ideal world every piece of software has a button that does exactly what you want, but in the real world you will find yourself completing repetitive tasks either within a single model or each time to create a model.

Repetitive tasks waste the time of engineers and can lead to errors through lack of attention.  MSC Apex has adopted the Python scripting language with its own extensions in order to make automation of tasks a fairly straightforward thing. 

In this short video, see how CATIA Composer can import native CATIA V5 Composite parts, and preserve all of the Composite Design and Analysis data for use in creating rich 3D documentation.

A simple example of a CATIA V5 Composite part is used in the video, modelled using the 'Zone Approach' with one main laminate and four thicker, reinforcement laminates. 

Learn how to open and select the CATPart from your file browser and see how it replicates in Composer, with all the geometry included.  You will now have the ability to design and capture multiple scenes (or views) as well as create high quality key-frame based animations. 

Capturing data

If you work with moulded or die cast parts you’ll be familiar with thin shell parts that have tapering thickness due to draft angles.  Capturing this effect in your finite element mesh can be tricky and lead to approximations that might not be comfortable or conservative.  MSC Apex has an auto-assignment feature that will accurately capture and represent the non-uniform shell thickness with remarkably little effort. 

Ease of Use

The guiding principle for the development of MSC Apex has been ease of use. Through the intelligent design of an intuitive interface users need no formal  training and can be productive after watching a few short videos.  All the features of the product have both written and video instructions making it easy to learn as well as use. 

Prepping Computer Aided Design (CAD) geometry for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) can be a complex, time consuming and error prone activity. 

Global Warming - Global Driving

Foremost on the political agenda across the world is global warming. Whether you believe it or not, and there is one notable leader who doesn’t, there is little point in ignoring the fact most world governments have it on their agenda.

This has led to initiatives of eliminating internal combustion engines on our roads. 

Additional Rules

This is the seventh article of a series concerning how to implement and use modelling methodology in CATIA V5.

In this article, we will discuss additional rules to be considered when defining part files. This article closes the main set of modelling methodology for prismatic geometry driven parts, with single body.

Defining features

This is the sixth article of a series concerning how to implement and use modelling methodology in CATIA V5.

How do you get recognition of your skills or you want to be involved in better work or been seen as making a difference - how do you show your difference?  

It’s all about having something unique that gives value to your employer.

Or if when job seeking how do you differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack? I had a friend who said you should draw pretty flowers on your CV! – whether he ever did that I don’t know, but in the competitive world we live you have to have a difference. That’s what sells. In sales jargon it’s called a Unique Selling Point, and when going for a job or looking to improve your position, that’s what you need.