CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
5 April 2007
Product News
SensAble Introduces Auto Surfacing Module for FreeForm Modeling Plus System
SensAble Technologies, Inc. announced the availability of Version 9.1 of its FreeForm® ModelingT and Modeling PlusT software. The release contains many new features that allow designers to streamline the process of creating 3D 'virtual clay' models, as well as preparing models for use in downsteam CAD/CAM. Most notable in the release for the FreeForm Modeling Plus system, is the new Auto Surfacing Module, which will save product designers and model-makers both time and expense as they prepare surface models for manufacturing.
Black & Decker's director of industrial design, Jay Czerwinski states: "The new Auto Surfacing functionality in FreeForm automatically surfaces our clay models to the same high quality we achieve when we surface manually. These automatically generated surfaces are 'water tight' and import into Pro/ENGINEER® flawlessly as a solid every time. The time saved by eliminating both the manual surfacing and the post-import operations in Pro/ENGINEER, enables our designers to spend much more of their time in the creative process of product development. We are extremely excited to have collaborated with SensAble during the testing of this much anticipated new capability in FreeForm."
"Our Auto Surfacing Module is fast and easy to use to surface FreeForm models," said Joe Wisnewski, VP Engineering for SensAble. "Of course users' results may vary depending on model complexity and downstream surfacing requirements." Users can define parameters for Auto Surfacing in the FreeForm Modeling Plus software, export as IGES or STEP files, and then edit in their traditional CAD systems, such as Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks®, and AliasStudioT. While the FreeForm system already provides a suite of surfacing tools, the Auto Surfacing Module gives users a much faster surfacing option and improved interoperability with traditional CAD systems. And it saves many users from having to purchase an additional product to perform this function.
FreeForm v9.1 Highlights Include:
• Performance improvements of up to 85% for key functionality (over v9.0)
• Customizable STL-to-Clay conversions for greater flexibility and file size management when modeling and exporting
• Use projected high-res 2D images/textures as interactive modeling guides, while taking advantage of all the editing and masking tools in Adobe® PhotoShop®
• Add flowing, repetitive details/patterns to models very quickly
• Improved tools for faster preparation of models for manufacturing
• Many new and enhanced features and functionality for greater modeling productivity
• Additional options to customize the user interface for individual design environments and user preferences
• Auto Surfacing Module (FreeForm Modeling Plus only)
Availability
The 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the v9.1 software for FreeForm Modeling and Modeling Plus systems are currently shipping. Customers with active maintenance contracts will automatically receive the v9.1 upgrade at no charge.
The Auto Surfacing Module is available for FreeForm Modeling Plus systems only, and will ship within 30 days. FreeForm Modeling Plus customers with active maintenance contracts will automatically receive the v9.1 software that includes the Auto Surfacing Module.
For more information or to purchase the FreeForm systems, please contact SensAble by email at: info@sensable.com , or by phone at: +1-781-937-8315, or contact an authorized FreeForm Reseller.
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