Dell Launches New Entry-Level and Rack-Mountable Workstations
“Workstation performance for about the price of a desktop” — That’s how Dell pitches its new entry-level workstation T1700.
The new unit is available in small form factor and mini-tower configurations. They’ll be powered by Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v3, based on Intel’s next-generation Haswell architecture. The chip maker is heavily promoting Haswell as the technology to increase power efficiency. GPU options for the T1700 includes AMD FirePro and NVIDIA Quadro cards. According to Dell, the T1700 is “industry’s smallest entry-level tower workstation.” Continue reading
Kubotek Releases KeyMarkUp with Optional Mold and Die Module
Kubotek‘s viewing and markup program, KeyView, has been selling in Europe for some time. This week, the company decided the time has come to roll it out in the U.S. So it is releasing the product under a new name, KeyMarkUp. (The name change is understandable, as some trademarked products already exist under the name KeyView in the U.S.) Continue reading
Autodesk Partners with NetSuite to Take On ERP/PLM Integration in the Cloud
It’s no secret that Autodesk has staked its bet on the cloud as a key differentiator for its PLM 360 offering. Now the company is touting a partnership with ERP cloud provider NetSuite Inc., making closed-loop integration with ERP another ace in its quest to build out a winning PLM hand.
Going with the Flow: Dassault Joins the Bid for Mold Simulation with Acquisition
Injection molding is fluid flow simulation of a different kind. It’s generally lumped together with computer-aided engineering (CAE), but it’s too specialized to fit into computational fluid dynamics (CFD). So tailor-made software like Moldflow, Moldex3D, and Simpoe emerged to fill the gap. (Come to think of it, mold simulation is the study of filling gaps with hot plastic liquid.)
Even though plastic parts are an integral part of contemporary products (that’s especially true in consumer goods), CAD, PLM, and FEA software makers aren’t particularly keen on developing their own mold-simulation packages. So they certified third-party mold packages compatible with their CAD packages or license such technologies for incorporation into their offerings. But in 2008, Autodesk decided the plastic market was important enough to warrant an in-house technology. The company paid $297 million to buy Moldflow, considered a leader of the pact. Moldflow is now tightly integrated with Autodesk’s flagship CAD package Inventor, but the software can also accommodates parts designed in other CAD packages, including those from Autodesk’s rivals.
Peter Rucinski, a senior product manager for Dassault Systemes, observed, “At least 80% of all plastic parts manufactured are produced by the injection molding process … And, the use of plastics continues to increase over time as new advances in material technology allow them to be used in higher temperature and strength applications.” Continue reading
Grabcad Workbench (Beta): Browser-Based Project Management and Collaboration App
Grabcad, cofounded by Hardi Meybaum, is best known as an online community, a popular destination for like-minded designers and engineers to share their models and collect feedback. With an emphasis on friendship and professional networking, Grabcad has so far been more social than commercial. But that’s about to change.
Grabcad’s new product Workbench (currently in Beta) is a cloud-hosted, browser-based project management and collaboration application. No installation, no download, no thin client. Once you’re logged in, you’ll find yourself in the project hub with a list of files managed in Workbench and the latest notifications. Continue reading
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