cadalyst
Manufacturing

MCAD Tech News #211

6 Jun, 2007 By: Jeffrey Rowe


The RP&M Report and RepRap

It may sound like science fiction, but the self-replicating machine is evolving as you read this.

A couple of weeks ago I attended the RAPID 2007 conference sponsored by SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers). As usual, I came away with several noteworthy items in the world of RP&M (rapid prototyping and manufacturing), including Wohlers Report 2007 and an update on the RepRap Project, both of which I consider important to the future of manufacturing technologies and their implications.

Over the course of a year I get asked to review a lot of engineering and technical books. I decline many because they're either too academic and theory-oriented or they cover topics that are marginal to mechanical design and engineering. However, several books are published that are informative and insightful. The past few years, I've come to know what is considered by many to be the bible of RP&M -- Wohlers Report 2007: State of the Industry, Annual Worldwide Progress Report. I know the author, Terry Wohlers, and can attest that he knows his stuff. Read more>>


PLM Strategies -- The Innovation Question

By Kenneth Wong

It seems, in the broad strokes of the marketing geniuses' pens, PLM (product lifecycle management) and innovation have become almost synonymous. "Slow to Market? Innovate Now with IBM's PLM Solutions," beckons the IBM PLM home page.

January 22, 2007, was PLM Innovation Day, sponsored by several vendors and analysts. The press has joined the chorus, too. "SMB PLM: Innovation Driver?" ask the editors at Intelligent Enterprise. Manufacturing Business Technology's cover story for March 2006 was "Innovation Accelerated: PLM Tools Prove Out Concepts, Speed Collaboration." Caught up like the rest, I fear that I, too, may have expressed similar sentiments in my own writings in the past, so I won't profess to be blameless. Read more>>


Mark Your Calendar: MCAD Events

CAD Triple Play -- An Afternoon of Baseball and CAD
June 20, 2007
Schaumburg, Illinois
Graphics Systems will sponsor the first annual CAD Triple Play Event. Held at Alexian Field, the event will offer free seminars on SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks and DriveWorks. Following the seminars, attendees are invited to a free tailgate party and picnic, and then to attend the baseball game between the Schaumburg Flyers and the Joliet Jackhammers. Read more

Dassault Systemes DEVCON Conference
June 26-27, 2007
Paris, France
"Reach New Frontiers" is the theme of this year's DEVCON, the Dassault Systemes Developer Conference. Participants will learn about DS's latest key technology advancements and breakthroughs and receive PLM implementation and methodology tips to accompany PLM Business Transformation and deployments. Read more

Material World New York
September 25-27, 2007
New York, New York
This official event of the American Apparel & Footwear Association marks the third edition of Material World New York. Eco-Friendly, Performance, Product Lifecycle Management and Design Technology categories will be emphasized with dedicated educational programming, special promotions and new product resources. Read more

DELMIA 2007 Customer Conference
October 3-4, 2007
Dearborn, Michigan
"Manufacturing in Motion" is the theme of Dassault Systemes' 2007 DELMIA Worldwide Customer Conferences. These annual conferences provide a forum for representatives of various industries to exchange ideas and information about the impact of digital manufacturing in product creation. The conference will also be held October 16-17, 2007, in Stuttgart, Germany, and November 7-8, 2007, in Yokohama, Japan. Read more

COMSOL Conference 2007
October 4-6, 2007
Newton, Massachusetts
At the third annual conference on multiphysics simulations, organized by COMSOL, scientists and engineers learn how multiphysics technology is being adopted for a wide span of applications in industry and academia. Keynote addresses and more than 70 user presentations will be presented by leaders in the field. Read more

Autodesk University
November 27-30, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Autodesk University offers more than 500 learning opportunities including advanced classes, hands-on labs, business-management solutions and strategies, and more. An Exhibit Hall features cutting-edge tools and services from leading application developers and strategic partners; briefings by Autodesk executives and product managers on key business trends, product futures, and company direction; and social events. Read more

COFES 2008
April 10-13, 2008
Scottsdale, Arizona
Sponsored by Cyon Research, the 9th Annual Congress on the Future of Engineering Software brings together the community of engineering software vendors, developers, resellers, analysts and users for private and public discussion in a relaxed and informal but intense atmosphere. Read more

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