Product category:
Rendering, visualisation and styling software
News Release from: ICEM | Subject: Surf
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 15 September 2004
Software smooths mobile phone
development
Spanish product design and development group Maier used ICEM Surf to design the exterior surfaces of a new range of mobile telephones.
The ICEM Surf software suite was recently selected by Maier, the Spanish product design and development group, as its preferred software tool for the design of the exterior surfaces of a new range of mobile telephones Alvaro Paramo, Head of the Styling Department at Maier stated: "The benefits of using ICEM Surf on a project like the design of a mobile phone are that not only does it enable us to have complete control over the design surfaces, especially when it comes to the very small dimensions involved in a mobile phone but that we are also able to use ICEM Surf's ability to exchange design data directly with our Catia engineering CAD/CAM system"
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 3 Apr 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Viewer shares 3D models on the net
ICEM has developed new software for viewing 3D surface models and digital mock-up visualisations created with its ICEM Surf surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software suite.
Software speeds GT racer to the show
The Icem Surf surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software enabled designers at Seat to complete the design of the body for the new Cupra GT racer in just two months.
"On this project it ensured that the design development of the phone's exterior components and of its internal electronic and mechanical components and assemblies moved forward together smoothly and without any undue delays".
For this range of mobile phones, Maier's designers first imported the original 2D styling sketches, along with the internal components' space envelopes, into the ICEM Surf environment as a visual reference.
They then used the software's surface modelling tools to create the initial digital surface models of the outer skins, including the front and back covers, battery covers, camera trims, front windows and keypads.
Further reading
Software cuts out prototypes for Lotus
The ICEM Surf software suite enabled Lotus Engineering to achieve a "first" during the development of its Elise II sports car.
Roomy roadster races to show
Skoda's revolutionary Roomster concept car was developed in record time through the extensive use of the ICEM Surf suite of surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software.
These digital models enabled Maier's designers and engineers to carry out early feasibility studies on the design.
Photorealistic renderings of a variety of design options were also created with ICEM Surf and sent to the client for a decision on the final design approach.
ICEM Surf was then used to develop the final surface models, with surface quality, in terms of flatness and the transitions between surfaces being analysed using the software's advanced surface checking and shape diagnosis tools.
The final surface models were then exported via ICEM's direct translator to Catia, for incorporation into the engineering design model.
Any required modifications, due to component interferences or manufacturing requirements, were dealt with by re-exporting the surfaces to ICEM Surf, where the necessary changes were made, before the modified surface models were imported back into Catia for use in the final tooling development process.
"The ability to modify complex surfaces and to simultaneously analyse the quality of those surfaces with ICEM Surf - and to see the results immediately - is a major benefit to us and certainly helped on this project", commented Paramo.
• ICEM: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
