3D software introduced to Australia

With hundreds of enhancements, the new version delivers a cost effective design solution focused on innovation and collaboration for the entire global manufacturing value chain.

Solid Edge is a premier design-centric solution in the mid-range CAD industry, and a core component of the UGS Velocity Series portfolio. A summary of new capabilities and updates to the UGS Velocity Series, which addresses the PLM needs of the mid-market, was also announced today in a separate press release.

"UGS understands the rapid changes taking place in today's global manufacturing market," said Barry Bevis MD of Edge Software. "It is now common for small and mid-size companies to play a vital role in highly competitive supply chains. We realize collaboration is critical to successful product design, and with Solid Edge Version 19, OEMs and suppliers can seamlessly work together to improve and manage collaboration across design teams, regardless of location."

Hundreds of customer-driven enhancements

Solid Edge Version 19 includes a variety of enhanced capabilities for creating, sharing and managing design information. UGS has added hundreds of customer-requested enhancements that complement new tools for motion simulation, assembly and disassembly videos, 3D design annotation, as well as visual collaboration tools that leverage the open JT data format, the world's most widely used lightweight format for sharing 3D product data.

"Version 19 continues to strengthen Solid Edge's position as the most complete and open solution for 2D and 3D design and collaboration," said Scholes.

With Version 19, Solid Edge customers will realize the following features and their associated benefits:

* Full motion simulation - Version 19 offers capabilities to quickly and easily define relationships between different motion drivers, such as gears, pulleys, hydraulic cylinders, and motors. Users can provide suppliers and customers with accurate motion studies that demonstrate the visual appearance of a product as well as how it functions in real time.

* Animated and dynamic documentation - Enhanced tools for capturing, modifying and animating how parts are assembled and disassembled enable users to generate high-quality videos for clearer manufacturing instructions, technical manuals and training materials.

* JT file sharing - Solid Edge takes advantage of the JT standard file format for sharing parts and assemblies, enabling anyone in the supply chain to exchange intelligent 3D data regardless of the CAD system used to create the file.

* Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) - Version 19 delivers the functionality needed to produce 3D-annotated designs in compliance with world standards such as ASME Y14.41. Solid Edge models now serve as single digital representations capturing all product information - reducing or eliminating the need for drawings in design reviews or manufacturing.

* New suite of manufacturing solutions - Tightly integrated with UGS' new NX CAM Express software (announced today in a separate press release), Solid Edge now offers a full range of scalable manufacturing solutions that coordinate product design, tool design and NC programming so that these processes occur in parallel - significantly reducing production time.

* Improved Sheet Metal design - New features, such as corner stiffeners, cross breaks and hems, combined with continued enhancements to industry-leading workflows, enable users to extend their competitive advantage from product design through manufacturing.

* Enhanced workflow for AutoCAD data - Users moving from 2D AutoCAD to Solid Edge enjoy a smoother workflow and familiar look and feel to their drawings - shortening the learning curve, while ensuring consistency and data integrity.

* New 64-bit version - Solid Edge users create assemblies in excess of 100,000 parts, and the new 64-bit edition, introduced with Version 19, expedites the creation of massive assemblies and their associated drawings.

With these capabilities, organizations can implement a cost-effective collaborative design solution throughout their entire value chain - while enjoying the advantage of single-source support from a PLM industry leader.

Additionally, Solid Edge Version 19 further raises the bar on performance-enhancing tools for designers of mechanical machinery, electro-mechanical equipment, consumer products, jigs, fixtures and molds.

"We chose Solid Edge because it's easy to use," said Olivier Pellerin, project manager, SEB. "There are many functions, yet it's not complex. The Rendering and Animation features allow us to better communicate with other departments. With Version 19, we can show, not just tell, thus improving our productivity. We find it is easy to work with Solid Edge developers - they listen to their customers."