MCAD Tech News (#178)

Digital analysis of the manufacturing process isn't simple, but it offers big dividends

One of the most significant trends in mechanical CAD over the past few years has been the increasing presence and acceptance of digital simulation and analysis. Once relegated to the later stages of design, simulation and analysis now are often employed relatively early in the in the product development cycle -- and that's a good thing. Also, simulation and analysis products are now usable by a great many designers, not just those who have advanced math degrees. So, simulation and analysis are becoming ingrained in product development, but what about their use in the manufacturing process?

In the manufacturing context, simulation and analysis are used to digitally define and test production processes. The main purpose of manufacturing simulation is to increase productivity by determining throughputs, minimizing process and material bottlenecks and making better use of plant and personnel resources -- in other words, workflow optimization. Simulation and analysis for manufacturing have been available for a while, but have not gained nearly the popularity of their counterparts in design. As a matter of fact, manufacturing simulation is hardly new; it's been around nearly as long as mechanical CAD. Read more>>

by Mike Hudspeth, IDSA

More people are using design analysis than ever before, which is a good thing. If you haven't started yet, you should consider it seriously. Why? Well, you care about the products you make, don't you? You want them to behave in predictable ways. You want to know what to expect. You want the assurance that you've done everything you can to design and verify that your product meets its highest quality standards. Design analysis can give you that.
Read more >>

Mark Your Calendar: MCAD Events

For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here >>

RoboBusiness 2006
June 20-21, 2006
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Robotics Trends’ RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition focuses on the business development and technical issues involved with the commercial application of mobile robotics and intelligent systems technology. Read more

Women in Technology International: Taking the Lead in the Digital Age
July 9-11, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada
This conference from Women in Technology International is designed for professionals who want to connect with others, update business and technical skills, and expand their professional network. Read more

ISEIT Americas 2006 Technology Conference
October 23-24, 2006
Clear Lake, Texas
ISEIT focuses on the business and technical challenges of building and maintaining engineering assets. Read more

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