Software aids 3D data exchange

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 7, 2007

ITI TranscenData's CADfix tackles the ever present problems of 3D model data exchange and re-use between different engineering software applications.

ITI TranscenData has released the latest version of its data interoperability tool, CADfix.

With a host of enhancements and new functionality, CADfix 7.1 further strengthens CADfix tackles the ever present problems of 3D model data exchange and re-use between different engineering software applications.

It offers a range of features designed to allow users to import CAD data and then to repair and manipulate it to the optimum form for use in the downstream application.

The main objective is eliminating expensive downstream CAD model repair and rework.

Andy Chinn, Business Development Manager for TranscenData Europe, comments: "When talking to organisations about their interoperability requirements, it is alarming to learn just how much unproductive effort is consistently wasted on CAD data rework and model preparation for different engineering applications".

"This inevitably puts added pressure on delivery timescales, means less time for product innovation and impacts profitability for many businesses".

"We have also seen situations where interoperability issues and the inability of a supplier to efficiently import and assess customer data has led to the failure to win contracts".

"CADfix is specifically designed to address these issues and help streamline the whole interoperability process".

The release of CADfix 7.1 sees many new developments and consolidates the incremental service pack functionality that has been released over the last year.

Some of the many enhancements include: updated feature and fillet deletion to handle more complex cases; an improved planar splitter with the ability to do partial model splits; a new join bodies tool for overlapping and adjacent parts; the ability to browse and select assembly components for import; and the ability to edit imported assembly structures and create new assemblies.

The software also offers updated interface support for Catia V5/R17, Unigraphics NX4, Pro/E Wildfire 3, SolidWorks 2006, Inventor 11, Parasolid 17.1 and ACIS R16; and updates to specialist exports for SC03, Flite3D, Centaur and Xpatch.

As well as updated import and export interfaces to support the latest CAD system versions, CADfix 7.1 offers new import filters for geometry from the Centaur and Flite3D CFD systems, and STL export has a new advanced option for intelligent control of the triangulation in complex regions.

CADfix is frequently used for the simplification and conditioning of CAD models for downstream CAE analysis applications.

CADfix 7.1 dramatically improves this process, providing an order of magnitude speed-up for face-joining, and introducing new tools for automatically removing unwanted sliver faces and smoothing badly defined surfaces.

"Many of the enhancements within this latest release of CADfix reflect the need for more accurate engineering data", explains Mark Gammon, CADfix Product Manager at ITI TranscenData.

"With 3D CAD systems becoming easier to use and more widespread, there is a tendency for less highly trained engineers to take for granted the advanced 3D modelling at their fingertips".

"This can lead to data inaccuracies, which become problematic when it comes to data exchange and using the data in downstream applications such as prototyping and CFD or FEA analysis".

"Here poor data quality and incompatibilities between the different systems can lead to costly delays and wasted effort".

"CADfix is designed to detect, highlight and repair data anomalies automatically, with the objective of eliminating expensive downstream CAD model repair and rework".

"This latest version will help to further automate this process, creating a fast, reliable and accurate solution to the problem of data exchange between the different CAD/CAM/CAE applications that can exist across the engineering supply chain".