Search

Discusses the value of computer-aided design program in house remodeling in the United States. Acceleration of the design process; Boost in sale of the remodeling project; Collaboration among suppliers, subcontractors and architects.

Reports on how a state-of-the-art computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided engineering (CAE) simulation system is helping control the costs of producing the NSSN, the Navy's new attack submarine. Shift in the focus of the design process from the development of paper deliverables to the development of a design database that completely describes a more producible ship.

The article discusses the importance of electronic document management function of the computer system among engineers in the U.S. According to Mandar Rege, senior director of Alvarez & Marsal LLC in New York, electronic tools are essential in retaining archival information. It mentions several software utilized by engineers in electronic management of documents including file-sharing system, three-dimensional design and the computer-aided design (CAD) documents. It also emphasizes the significance of workflow management and version control of computer systems.

Describes how the United States is seizing back the global lead in manufacturing as software rather than traditional, noncomputerized hardware begins to dominate the factory. Details of the new `digital' American factory; Soft manufacturing's effect on employment; Examples of soft manufacturing at companies like Hewlett-Packard, General Electric, Caterpillar and others. INSET: The biggest breakthrough since the lathe.

The article focuses on the U.S. company Mentor Graphics Corp. Mentor was founded by eight computer specialists, including Thomas Bruggere and Gerald Langeler. The company is a leading seller of computer-aided engineering (CAE) workstations and holds 25 percent of the computer-aided-design market compared to Hewlett-Packard Ltd. (H-P). Mentor identified the companies Daisy System and Valid Logic System as their major competitors.

The article discusses the usage by U.S. companies of desktop manufacturing systems, which enable equipment to convert a computerized design into a real-life model that managers can touch and hold. Key issues discussed include the key features and benefits of desktop manufacturing systems and how it significantly reduces the time it usually takes to craft a model.

The article discusses the collaboration of electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) and mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) in the manufacturing industry in the U.S. It emphasizes the advent of intermediate data format (IDF) which facilitated the integration of ECAD and MCAD. It highlights the business partnership of Parametric Technology Corp. and Mentor Graphics Corp. to support the collaboration.

The article reports on the Section VIII, Division 2, modernize pressure vessel code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in the U.S. It notes that the new pressure vessel code is to be mandate on July 1, 2009 that is the model for standard developments in the future. Beforehand, potential users in the petrochemical and manufacturing industries are asked by ASME on the code who calls for the code to be user-friendly. It infers that in the added understanding on failure mechanism, advances in materials science, nondestructive testing, computer-aided design makes new approach becomes unnecessary.

A directory of computer-aided design products in the U.S. in 2005 is presented.

The article evaluates several industrial equipment from the U.S. including the 200S Digital Readout System from ACU-RITE Companies Inc., the Esprit CAM software from DP Technology Corp. and the RoboVent WeldPro air filtration system from Great Lakes Air Systems.

Reports on the use of computer-based mapping, metering and modeling by the city of Beverly Hills, California, for its Sanitary Sewer Collection System Master Plan. Identification of areas of the system that suffered from inflow and infiltration; Use of a sewer atlas; Consistency of geo-referencing with other municipalities.