Released March 2008
Siemens PLM Software announces the latest release of the D-Cubed Collision Detection Manager (CDM), a software component that accurately and rapidly detects collisions and computes clearances. New enhancements specific to version 38.0 are listed below. See the full product description.
The CDM can be instructed to compute various levels of detail regarding the collisions (interferences) in an assembly, depending on what is required by the host application. For example, for maximum performance, it can be instructed to stop its computations once the first collision is found, or for maximum information, to continue its computations until all collisions have been found. When computing all collisions the CDM can return all parts that have collided, which parts collided with which parts, and all faces that collided. However, in previous releases the CDM did not determine which faces are colliding with which faces. This new capability has been added to the latest release. The benefits include, for example, being able to select a face and to more efficiently display the other faces with which it is colliding.
Collisions occur when one part passes through the surface of another, and when one part contains another part. Containment occurs when one part lies wholly within another part, with no intersections between the surfaces of the parts. The CDM can identify those parts which contain parts. The latest release extends the containment functionality by also identifying those parts which are contained within parts, distinguishing them from intersecting parts.
The D-Cubed Components are integrated into a wide range of applications using a variety of development environments running on numerous computer platforms. It is important to component customers that their preferred environments are supported as their requirements evolve. This release sees the extension of the supported application development environments and platforms to include Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Apple Mac OS X Leopard.
First released in 1999, the CDM enables end-users to interact with their models with much improved realism and solidity, greatly reducing errors caused by interpenetrating parts. Operating in assembly, mechanism, machining and measuring simulation environments, it offers a range of novel algorithms to interactively detect collisions and compute clearances, even on large, complex assemblies. Performance is particularly excellent for repeated computations on models that are in motion. The CDM is compatible with any application as it is independent of any particular modeler or model format, operating on exact, faceted, solid or surface representations.
PLM Components are software tools that can help increase the profitability of software applications in the CAD, CAM, CAE and PLM marketplace by raising their value and lowering their costs. This is achieved by supporting innovation and interoperability with standard tools that ensure quality and reduce time to market. Siemens PLM Software develops these components, uses them throughout its own applications and licenses them to independent software vendors and end-user organizations. Flexible licensing arrangements and a simple, proven integration process enable any organisation, large or small, to bring innovative capabilities to their applications quickly and economically. Part of the PLM Components family of products, the Parasolid and D-Cubed components provide 3D part and assembly modeling, editing and interoperability, 2D/3D parametric sketching, motion simulation, collision detection, clearance measurement and visualization. Applications include mechanical CAD, CAM, CAE, mold design, sheet metal, AEC, GIS, structural, plant and ship design, CMM, reverse engineering and sales configuration. For more information, please visit www.ugs.com/en_us/products/open/
Neil Howarth
Siemens PLM Software (D-Cubed Components)
Tel: +44-1223-722618
5800 Granite Parkway
Suite 600
Plano, TX
75024
(v): +1 800 498 5351