Page 3 of 3
(continued...) New constraint types enable a sketch entity to be given a constraint such as tangent to a group of existing sketch elements and a cam mating relationship is available in assemblies to maintain contact to spherical, flat or cylindrical faces.
The re-use of standard parts is more intelligent.
A wizard can be used to create system library elements that not only contain parts and relevant constraints but also associated features that are needed on mating components.
This means that on placement into an assembly, material may be automatically added or removed from an number of other parts to form fixing holes or mounting bosses for example.
Drafting has not been overlooked in this release with expanded options for creating broken views with projections and break out sections to show internal details or components.
The parts to be sectioned can be specified and the section view placed on any sheet in the drawing file.
Phantom reference parts can be depicted in a user defined linestyle without appearing in the BOM.
Similarly, the already integrated data management tools have been developed in order to aid collaboration.
For dedicated Solid Edge sites, Insight.net built on Microsoft's SharePoint technology is available.
The Life Cycle Assistant uses predefined folders to organise file revision status, automatically moving files as status is changed and notifying subscribers such as approvers of any new contents.
Compliance with revision procedures is enforced as managed documents can only be modified using the Life Cycle Assistant.
The open file dialog has a Revision Rule option allowing links to be updated in a controlled way when opening managed files.
Using the Latest Released revision rule opens the assembly then searches for the latest released revision for the parts in the assembly structure.
The where used function has been expanded to deal with nested instances so that all documents affected by a change are identified.
Integration with the wider EDS product family is available with the option to upgrade Insight to Teamcentre engineering process management tool.
As EDS converge Unigraphics and I-DEAS into NX, Solid Edge offers compatibility via Parasolid and .PLMXML format containing BREP geometry, assembly product structure and a facetted representation.
V14 is a significant release for Solid Edge, adding flexible surface manipulation tools to rigorous solid modelling capabilities.
Clearly for the construction of complex forms, curve and surface creation and manipulation is required and it is fascinating to see how the design centric modellers are providing easy to use, solid modelling compatible tools without resorting to historically complex surface modelling techniques.
Recognition that management of multiple associative files is also commendable and the additions to Insight will further aid revision management.
Despite the never-ending adoption of marketing jargon for tool names and technologies, Solid Edge delivers significant modelling capabilities in an approachable, easy to use package.