introduction

SOLID EDGE
Solid Edge is a 3D CAD parametric feature solid modeling software. It runs on Microsoft Windows and provides solid modeling, assembly modelling and drafting functionality for mechanical engineers, designers and drafters. Through third party applications it has links to many otherProduct Lifecycle Management (PLM) technologies. Originally developed and released by Intergraph in 1996 using the ACIS geometric modeling kernel it later changed to using the Parasolid kernel. In 1998 it was purchased and further developed by UGS Corp (the purchase date corresponds to the kernel swap). In 2007, UGS was acquired by the Automation & Drives Division of Siemens AG. UGS company was renamed Siemens PLM Software on October 1, 2007. Since Sep 2006 Siemens also offers a free 2D version called Solid Edge 2D Drafting. Solid Edge is a direct competitor to SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor.

HISTORY
Solid Edge V1 was first released in 1995. In October 1997 the Sheet Metal environment was introduced with V3.5. UGS Corp switched from the ACIS modeling kernel to Parasolid kernel in 1998 with V5. Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology was launched in 2008. Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2 was launched in 2009. Solid Edge ST3 was released on October 13, 2010. The last version is Solid Edge ST4. 2012 is promised to be realized Solid Edge ST5.

APPLICation of software
Modeling

Ordered
The ordered modeling process begins with a base feature controlled by a 2D sketch, which is either a linear, revolved, lofted, or swept extrusion. Each subsequent feature is built on the previous feature. When editing, the model is "rolled back" to the point where the feature was created so that the user cannot try to apply constraints to geometry that does not yet exist. The drawback is that the user does not see how the edit will interact with the subsequent features. This is typically called "history" or "regeneration based" modeling. In both ordered and synchronous mode Solid Edge offers very powerful, easy yet stable modeling in hybrid surface/solid mode, where "Rapid Blue" technology helps the user to create complex shapes in an intuitive and easy way.

Direct
The Direct modeling features allows the user to change model geometry/topology without being hindered by a native model's existing - or an imported model's lack of - parametric and/or history data. This is particularly useful for working with imported models or complex native models. Direct modeling features are available in both Ordered and Synchronous mode. If used in the Ordered mode, the direct modeling edits are appended to the history tree at the point of current rollback just like any other ordered feature.

Synchronous
The software combines direct modeling with dimension driven design (features and synchronously solving parametrics) under the name "Synchronous Technology". Parametric relationships can be applied directly to the solid features without having to depend on 2D sketch geometry, and common parametric relationships are applied automatically. Unlike other direct modeling systems, it is not driven by the typical history-based modeling system, instead providing parametric dimension-driven modeling by synchronizing geometry, parameters and rules using a decision-making engine, allowing users to apply unpredicted changes. This object-driven editing model is known as the Object Action Interface, which emphasizes a User Interface that provides Direct Manipulation of objects (DMUI). The latest version, Synchronous Technology 2, adds support for sheet metal designing, and also recognizes bends, folds and other features of imported sheet metal parts.

Synchronous Technology has been integrated into Solid Edge and another Siemens commercial CAD software, NX, as an application layer built on the D-Cubed and Parasolid software components.

Assembly
An assembly is built from individual part documents connected by mating constraints, as well as assembly features. Solid Edge supports large assemblies (over 100,000 parts).

Solid Edge

Developer(s)

Siemens PLM Software

Stable release

Solid Edge ST4 / July 2011

Operating system

Windows XP/Vista/7

Type

CAD software

License

Proprietary

Website

www.siemens.com/solidedge

Examples of product

A draft file consists of the 3D model projected to one or more 2D views of a part or assembly file. Solid Edge integrates with Sharepoint and Teamcenter to provide product lifecycle management. Solid Edge also integrates with PLM products from third parties. Solid Edge provides support for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) starting with Solid Edge ST2 version released in 2009. This functionality is based onSiemens PLM's existing Femap and NX Nastran technologies.

CONCLUSION

References
www.siemens.com/solidedge

introduction
SOLID WORKS
SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD (computer-aided design) program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed byDassault Systmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systmes, S. A. (Vlizy, France). SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.87 million engineers and designers at more than 165,000 companies worldwide. FY2011 revenue for SolidWorks was 483 million dollars

HISTORY
SolidWorks Corporation was founded in December 1993 by Jon Hirschtick with headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
[3] [4]

, who recruited a team of engineers to build a company that

developed 3D CAD software that was easy-to-use, affordable and available on the Windows desktop, with its headquarters at Concord, Massachusetts, and released its first product, SolidWorks 95, in 1995. SolidWorks currently markets several versions of the SolidWorks CAD software in addition to eDrawings, a collaboration tool, and DraftSight, a 2D CAD product. In 1997 Dassault Systmes, best known for its CATIA CAD software, acquired the company and currently owns 100% of its shares. SolidWorks was headed by John McEleney from 2001 to July 2007 and Jeff Ray from 2007 to January 2011. The current CEO is Bertrand Sicot.

Application of software

Market
DS Solidworks Corp. has sold over 1.5 million licenses of SolidWorks worldwide.
[6] [5]

This

includes a large proportion of educational licenses. The Sheffield Telegraph comments that Solidworks is the world's most popular CAD software. Its user base ranges from individuals to large

corporations, and covers a very wide cross-section of manufacturing market segments. Commercial sales are made through an indirect channel, which includes dealers and partners throughout the world. In the United States, the first reseller of SolidWorks, in 1995, was Computer Aided Technology, Inc, headquartered in Chicago. The leading reseller in the UK is currently Solid Solutions Management, head-quartered in Leamington-Spa - who currently have over 3,500 SolidWorks customers in the UK. Directly competitive products to SolidWorks include Creo Elements/Pro, Solid Edge, and Autodesk Inventor. SolidWorks also partners with third party developers to add functionality in niche market applications like finite element analysis, circuit layout, tolerance checking, etc. SolidWorks has also licensed its 3D modeling capabilities to other CAD software vendors, notably ANVIL. [edit]
[7]

Modeling methodology

screen shot captured from a SolidWorks top-down design approach.

SolidWorks is a Parasolid-based solid modeler, and utilizes a parametric feature-based approach to create models and assemblies. Parameters refer to constraints whose values determine the shape or geometry of the model or assembly. Parameters can be either numeric parameters, such as line lengths or circle diameters, or geometric parameters, such as tangent, parallel, concentric, horizontal or vertical, etc. Numeric

parameters can be associated with each other through the use of relations, which allows them to capture design intent. Design intent is how the creator of the part wants it to respond to changes and updates. For example, you would want the hole at the top of a beverage can to stay at the top surface, regardless of the height or size of the can. SolidWorks allows you to specify that the hole is a feature on the top surface, and will then honor your design intent no matter what the height you later gave to the can. Features refer to the building blocks of the part. They are the shapes and operations that construct the part. Shape-based features typically begin with a 2D or 3D sketch of shapes such as bosses, holes, slots, etc. This shape is then extruded or cut to add or remove material from the part. Operation-based features are not sketch-based, and include features such as fillets, chamfers, shells, applying draft to the faces of a part, etc.

screen shot captured from a SolidWorks top-down design approach.

Building a model in SolidWorks usually starts with a 2D sketch (although 3D sketches are available for power users). The sketch consists of geometry such as points, lines, arcs, conics (except the hyperbola), and splines. Dimensions are added to the sketch to define the size and location of the geometry. Relations are used to define attributes such as tangency, parallelism, perpendicularity, and concentricity. The parametric nature of SolidWorks means that the dimensions and relations drive the geometry, not the other way around. The dimensions in the sketch can be controlled independently, or by relationships to other parameters inside or outside of the sketch. In an assembly, the analog to sketch relations are mates. Just as sketch relations define conditions such as tangency, parallelism, and concentricity with respect to sketch geometry, assembly mates define equivalent relations with respect to the individual parts or components, allowing the easy construction of assemblies. SolidWorks also includes additional advanced mating features such as gear and cam follower mates, which allow modeled gear assemblies to accurately reproduce the rotational movement of an actual gear train. Finally, drawings can be created either from parts or assemblies. Views are automatically generated from the solid model, and notes, dimensions and tolerances can then be easily added to the drawing

as needed. The drawing module includes most paper sizes and standards (ANSI, ISO, DIN, GOST,JIS, BSI and SAC).

SolidWorks

The SolidWorks interface, showing feature based history dependent modeling.

Developer(s)

Dassault Systmes SolidWorks Corp.

Stable release

SolidWorks 2012 SP4 / Jun 19, 2012[1]

Operating system

Microsoft Windows

Type

3D computer graphics

License

Proprietary

Website

www.SolidWorks.com

Release history
Name/Version SolidWorks 95 SolidWorks 96 SolidWorks 97 SolidWorks 97Plus SolidWorks 98 SolidWorks 98Plus SolidWorks 99 SolidWorks 2000 SolidWorks 2001 Version History Value 44 243 483 629 817 1008 1137 1500 1750 Release Date 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 July 1, 2007 January 28, 2008 December 9, 2009 June 17, 2010 Sept, 2011 Sept, 2012

SolidWorks 2001Plus 1950 SolidWorks 2003 SolidWorks 2004 SolidWorks 2005 SolidWorks 2006 SolidWorks 2007 SolidWorks 2008 SolidWorks 2009 SolidWorks 2010 SolidWorks 2011 SolidWorks 2012 SolidWorks 2013 2200 2500 2800 3100 3400 3800 4100 4400 4700 5000

Examples of product
3D mechanical design applications

SolidWorks Standard SolidWorks Professional SolidWorks Premium - provides a suite of product development tools mechanical design, design verification, data management, and communication tools. SolidWorks Premium includes all of the capabilities of SolidWorks Professional as well as routing and analysis tools, including SolidWorks Routing, SolidWorks Simulation, and SolidWorks Motion. 'SolidWorks Education Edition - Provides the same design functionality but is configured and packaged for engineering and industrial design students.
Design validation tools

SolidWorks Simulation - is a design validation tool that shows engineers how their designs will behave as physical objects. SolidWorks Motion -is a virtual prototyping tool that provides motion simulation capabilities to ensure designs function properly. SolidWorks Flow Simulation - is a tool that tests internal and external fluid-flow simulation and thermal analysis so designers can conduct tests on virtual prototypes. SolidWorks Simulation Premium - is a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) design validation tool that can handle some multiphysics simulations as well as nonlinear materials. SolidWorks Sustainability - is a product that measures the environmental impact of designs while they are modeled in SolidWorks.
Product data management tools

SolidWorks Workgroup PDM - is a PDM tool that allows SolidWorks users operating in teams of 10 members or less to work on designs concurrently. With SolidWorks PDM Workgroup, designers can

search, revise, and vault CAD data while maintaining an accurate design history. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM - is a PDM tool that allows SolidWorks users operating in teams at various separate facilities to work on designs concurrently. With SolidWorks Enterprise PDM , designers can search, revise, and vault CAD data while maintaining an accurate design history. Enterprise PDM maintains an audit trail, is compatible with a variety of CAE packages (AutoDesk, Siemens, PTC, Catia, etc.) to maintain interfile relations, and will manage the revisions of any document saved in the vault. Enterprise PDM also uses a workflow diagram to automatically notify team members when a project moves from one stage to the next, as well as tracking comments. Enterprise PDM is capable of interfacing with various MRP/ERP systems and can be used online to interface with customers and the supply chain. 'SolidWorks n!Fuze' - is a cloud-based PDM tool that allows users operating in different locations to collaborate while providing many of the features of SolidWorks Enterprise PDM with less IT infrastructure in-house.
Design communication and collaboration tools

eDrawings Professional - An e-mail-enabled communication tool for reviewing 2D and 3D product design data across the extended product development team. eDrawings generates accurate representations of DWGgateway is a free data translation tool that enables any AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG file, regardless of the version of AutoCAD it was made in. SolidWorks Viewer - is a free plug-in for viewing SolidWorks parts, assemblies, and drawings. '3DVIA Composer' - is a technical communications software that allows 3D views of models to be integrated into the document, whether that is manuals, advertisements, or web applications. The 3D views are updated automatically when the design updates, reducing the workload of the employee creating the technical document, as editing for changes is not as severe.

CAD productivity tools

SolidWorks Toolbox - is a library of parts that uses "Smart Part" Technology to automatically select fasteners and assemble them in the desired sequence. SolidWorks Utilities - is software that lets designers find differences between two versions of the same part, or locate, modify, and suppress features within a model. FeatureWorks - is feature recognition software that lets designers make changes to static geometric data, increasing the value of translated files. With FeatureWorks, designers can preserve or introduce new design intent when bringing 3D models created in other software into the SolidWorks environment.
Specialty design tools

SolidWorks Routing MoldflowXpress - is a mold design validation tool that was built into a solid modeling environment. It enables mold designers to quickly and easily validate whether a plastic injection-molded part can be filled. SolidWorks MoldBase - is a catalog of standard mold base assemblies and components. The package enables designers to generate a completely assembled mold base. Print3D - is a 3D printing feature that allows users to convert their 3D CAD model to an .STL file and then have it sent to specialty manufacturers for quote. The .STL files can be used to generate an instant binding quoted using the Quickquote technology. DriveWorks Xpress - DriveWorksXpress is rules-based design automation tool for engineers. Create multiple variations of parts, assemblies and drawings quickly and accurately.

conclusion

References

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

^ "Technical Alerts & News". SolidWorks. Aug 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-28. ^ SolidWorks Fact Sheet, July 30, 2012 ^ Solidworks Company History. Solidworks Official Website ^ Solidworks Company Information. Solidworks Official Website ^ "Thanks for helping us reach our millionth license!". SolidWorks. April 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-12. ^ "Solid finds solution in business park switch". The Sheffield Telegraph. December 10, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-15. 7. ^ [http://www.anvilmcs.com/pages/sm.htm ""ANVIL EXPRESS SolidWorks Connectivity""]. MCS ANVIL. September 2009. Retrieved 2011-04-15.