UGS Corp. a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today launched Version 18 of Solid Edge® software; it’s industry-leading, value-based 3D computer-aided design (CAD) system that serves as a key component of the UGS Velocity Series the company announced yesterday.
Solid Edge is the CAD component of the new UGS Velocity Series, the industry’s first comprehensive, preconfigured portfolio of digital product design, analysis and data management software for the PLM mid-market. Version 18 delivers hundreds of customer-requested enhancements, along with new and innovative tools that help customers reduce costs, deliver products to market faster and enjoy an exceptional return on investment for a low total cost of ownership.
“With an impressive history of functionality enhancements and increased CAD market share, it’s no wonder Solid Edge celebrates 12 consecutive quarters of growth,” said Barry Bevis, Managing Director of Edge Software, “Version 18 continues the trend -- offering enhanced design process optimization that allows customers to transform their process of innovation as they evolve to 3D. By implementing the complete UGS Velocity Series, customers can take advantage of single-source support as they reap the benefits of a fully-integrated and managed design discipline.”
New Standard Set in CAD/PDM Integration
With its groundbreaking Insight technology, Solid Edge became the only mainstream mechanical system to merge design management capabilities with the CAD tools that designers use every day. Version 18 builds on the success of Insight to set a new standard in CAD/PDM Integration, letting customers choose from a range of easily scalable cPDM solutions. Solid Edge Insight continues to provide proven management capabilities for single-site, departmental teams with basic workflow needs. The new Solid Edge embedded client provides seamless and transparent connectivity between Solid Edge and Teamcenter, including the newly announced Teamcenter Express solution for multi-CAD, multi site implementations with more advanced workflow needs. This new level of CAD and cPDM connectivity ensures that all essential Solid Edge commands are encapsulated and makes sophisticated data management functions transparent to the Solid Edge user. Solid Edge-related data is easily captured for re-use in future projects without placing an additional burden on the CAD user, while full scalability means customers can grow their cPDM solution to meet growing business demands without starting from scratch.
Analysis Key to New Enhancements
Solid Edge Version 18 introduces two complementary methods for designs to be analyzed and validated much earlier in the design cycle. The first – Femap Express – is built into Solid Edge and provides preconfigured, best practice, process guidance for accurate analysis of solid and sheet metal parts. Second, Solid Edge integrates further and is associative with Femap, the leading CAD-independent finite element analysis (FEA) tool for advanced analysis to ensure quality and optimize materials within complete assemblies. Both solutions utilize well-proven Nastran solver technology for accurate and repeatable results.
“We have been using Solid Edge for two years and the benefits have significantly helped us design and manufacture 180,000 heating products a year,” said Pascal Pelloux-Preyer
design engineer, Heatcraft. “The built-in FEA technology, Femap Express, will help analyze the vibration of frame. We were particularly impressed that Femap Express will analyze sheet metal parts on the surface, which is the right way to do it.”
A new wire harness design application uses popular eCAD electrical circuit diagrams to automate wire harness designs. Electrical and mechanical design teams can now collaborate closely to create a complete digital mock-up that includes wires, cables and bundles with manufacturing information easily accessible.
UGS innovative Evolve to 3D program allows users to maintain 2D productivity while transitioning to a 3D environment. Version 18 diagramming continues this philosophy by enabling users to develop electrical, P&ID, and other diagrams by leveraging industry-standard 2D libraries. These strengthened 2D drawing capabilities removes the need for companies to maintain separate 2D and 3D CAD systems.
“CNB produces passenger boats, sailing boats and custom yachts,” said Wilfred Cadiou, CAD manager, CNB. “The new Blocks feature (symbols for diagramming) in Solid Edge has been well designed. We are pleased that the Solid Edge Development team has recognized this need for companies.”
