Surface modelling tool is more intelligent

An ICEM product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 8, 2004

ICEM Ltd is launching ICEM Surf 4.4, the latest release of its leading Class A surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software suite.

ICEM Ltd is launching ICEM Surf 4.4, the latest release of its leading Class A surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software suite.

ICEM Surf 4.4 supports a new parametric, object-oriented database architecture that will underlie all future ICEM software products.

The new database architecture is compatible with previous versions of ICEM Surf, ensuring that customers' existing investments in design data are protected.

In addition, to the new database architecture, ICEM Surf 4.4 has many new capabilities, such as feature recognition, the creation of feature libraries and the exchange of intelligent features among different ICEM Surf users.

Other additions include enhanced bi-directional geometric data exchange, in particular with Catia V5 from IBM/Dassault.

There are also enhanced safety analysis tools, extended functionality in the visualization tools and additional surface modelling and model manipulation facilities.

ICEM Surf already supports geometric data exchange with a wide range of other CAD systems via industry-standard neutral interfaces such as IGES, VDA, STL and SET and via direct interfaces for Catia V4 and V5, Unigraphics/NX, I-deas, Pro/E and CADDS5.

With ICEM Surf 4.4 this data exchange capability is expanded.

It now includes the transfer of associativity between ICEM Surf and solid based-based CAD systems, such as Catia V5 and Unigraphics.

The enhanced surface checker facility helps to ensure that the highest quality of surface data is maintained when files are exchanged between ICEM Surf and CAD/CAM systems from other vendors.

These expanded data exchange capabilities will enable an enhanced workflow within the different phases of the product development process with bi-directional associativity with other CAD systems.

This will result in reduced design cycle times through improvements in the way design changes can be considered and applied in downstream processes.

ICEM Surf 4.4 introduces several new and expanded capabilities in surface modelling and visualisation facilities, along with new model interaction methods.

In the modelling environment, the ability to model fillet flanges and tubing has been added.

Feature recognition capabilities for fillets, fillet flanges, tubing and addenda surfaces etc have also been added.

Other enhancements in the modelling environment have been made to curve matching, fillet, corner fillet, flange and surface of revolution.

In addition, enhanced surface quality analysis is provided through a range of additional options in the surface checker.

An enhanced 'flat spot' analysis capability pinpoints potential problems, such as 'drumming' or vibration caused by body panels being 'too flat.' This enables the surface engineers to make early corrections, thereby avoiding later modifications that require costly re-tooling.

Further functionality has also been added in the graphics environment.

This includes individual tessellation for improved display performance and the addition to ICEM Surf's existing visualisation facilities of light colour and intensity as well as radiosity.

This enables the simulation of sunrise and sunset and more realistic shadows and shadow fade.

Cubic texture mapping has also been added to the existing texture mapping facilities, enabling texture maps to be 'warped' to the surfaces to which they are assigned for greater realism.

For example, photo-realistic visualisations of vehicle interiors can be produced.

ICEM Surf 4.4 also sees the introduction of support in the Microsoft Windows environment for 3Dconnexion's SpaceBall and SpaceMouse motion controllers.

ICEM is introducing enhanced safety analysis facilities with ICEM Surf 4.4 in response to new European laws due to come into effect in October, 2005.

The upcoming laws will be designed to better protect pedestrians and cyclists involved in road traffic accidents, ICEM Surf already provides optional add-on facilities for analysing surface models.

This feature automatically detects and graphically displays edges and corners of models that fall outside pre-defined, industry-standard fillet radii and tolerances.

The enhanced safety analysis facilities introduced with ICEM Surf 4.4 are expected to be particularly attractive to automotive OEMs and their interior components suppliers, as they strive to keep within the new European vehicle safety laws.