- Email: [email protected]
Software for building designs and costings
CAD in industry 3D design and drafting system A workstation-based 3D design and drafting system for design engineers has been announced by Intergraph. Called the Intergraph Drafting System (I/Draft), the system runs under Unix on Intergraph's Clipper reduced instruction set computer (RlSC)-based engineering workstations and, with an operator-transparent software interface, to Intergraph VAX-based systems. The system gives dedicated mechanical design and drafting capabilities for both standalone design and drafting requirements and within an integrated CADCAM system environment. Among the features are dimensioning and detailing capabilities. I/Draft's detailing system documents models for manufacturing and other requirements, and an associative dimensioning capability makes dimensional descriptions of the 3D model and ensures drawing data integrity. Other features include wireframe modelling, raster/vector editing of scanned drawings and parametric part creation for standard parts design. I/Draft is a subset of Intergraph's solids/surfaces geometric modeller Engineering Modelling System (I/EMS) and through its object-oriented nucleus software makes possible an integrated database where wireframe geometric
I/Draft design/drafting system
elements coexist with associated nongeometric descriptive data. I/Draft also uses the non-uniform rational B-spline mathematical formula as its fundamental geometric element description. I/Draft is available for around £6500.
(Intergraph (GB) Ltd, Delta Business Park, Great Western Way, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 7XP, UK, Tel: (0793) 619999. Tx: 444164 INT GB. Fax: (0793) 618508)
Master Designer PCB system A printed circuit board (PCB) system called Master Designer has been announced by Personal CAD Systems. The system runs on 386-based hardware and 286-based PCs and includes multilayer routing for higher completion rates. Features include an engineering change order (ECO) processing option that provides forward annotation of logic changes to the PCB layout and 'history independent' back annotation. It is possible to include large design databases that support up to 500 equivalent integrated circuits, 32 000 pins, and 2500 nets. Master Designer has a multilayer routing feature that routes all layers simultaneously and supports surface mount technology
volume 20 number 3 april 1988
with blind and buried v/as. Other features include programmable function keys, automatic naming of components and nets, top-end command macros, step-and-repeat (including pins) in copy command, polygon area cross-hatching, and cycle picking of components. Master Designer includes support for Novell/3-Com Ethernet networking, netlist comparison capability, engineering design rules checking, graphics support for over 25 different high resolution graphics adaptors, and printer support for 60 printers/plotters.
(P-CAD Systems, 13-15 Sheet Street, Windsor, Berkshire 5L4 1AS, UK. Tel: (0753) 841488. Tx: 849062. Fax: (0753) 841215)
Software for building designs and costings A suite of software packages has been announced by Astron Building Systems that, according to Astron, will allow clients to obtain design and cost data interactively. Astron is a European manufacturer of advanced one-storey steel structures for nonresidential use, such as retail premises, garages, industrial units and leisure buildings. In particular, Astron uses the welded portal frame concept. Astron designs in accordance with the standards and codes applicable to each country, but it has only been recently, following the publication of Part 5 of the UK Standard BS .5950, that the company has begun to make use of tapered section welded frames in the UK. The code developments mean that, after an initial phase of computerization, Astron can now move into a second phase. It will involve its builder-dealers in this phase, who will use Astron's software systems to present 3D construction solutions and costings in real-time in the presence of the clients. Astron adopts a franchise approach, whereby the customer deals with local builder-dealers (who have Astron's backing). The menu-driven software, called Cyprion, runs on IBM PCs and compatibles installed at the local builder-dealer, which are linked to host mainframes (Prime) at Astron's UK headquarters at Coventry and European headquarters in Luxembourg. The builder-dealer can recall files forl all Astron buildings and accessories, and as a result give a costing to the client onsite. The system currently provides 2D and 3D wireframe images, although there are other graphics capabilities (e.g. cars, trees and people) as well. The system uses Hewlett-Packard plotters or compatibles. Additional programs are available for insulation and heat loss calculation. Cyprion is available at a yearly fee, which is determined according to country.
(Astron Buildings Division, Commercial Hydraulics Keelavite Ltd, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9/t)(, UK. Tel: (0676) 23459. Tx: 31375 KEELA G. Fax: (0676) 23525) 165
I/Draft design/drafting system
elements coexist with associated nongeometric descriptive data. I/Draft also uses the non-uniform rational B-spline mathematical formula as its fundamental geometric element description. I/Draft is available for around £6500.
(Intergraph (GB) Ltd, Delta Business Park, Great Western Way, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 7XP, UK, Tel: (0793) 619999. Tx: 444164 INT GB. Fax: (0793) 618508)
Master Designer PCB system A printed circuit board (PCB) system called Master Designer has been announced by Personal CAD Systems. The system runs on 386-based hardware and 286-based PCs and includes multilayer routing for higher completion rates. Features include an engineering change order (ECO) processing option that provides forward annotation of logic changes to the PCB layout and 'history independent' back annotation. It is possible to include large design databases that support up to 500 equivalent integrated circuits, 32 000 pins, and 2500 nets. Master Designer has a multilayer routing feature that routes all layers simultaneously and supports surface mount technology
volume 20 number 3 april 1988
with blind and buried v/as. Other features include programmable function keys, automatic naming of components and nets, top-end command macros, step-and-repeat (including pins) in copy command, polygon area cross-hatching, and cycle picking of components. Master Designer includes support for Novell/3-Com Ethernet networking, netlist comparison capability, engineering design rules checking, graphics support for over 25 different high resolution graphics adaptors, and printer support for 60 printers/plotters.
(P-CAD Systems, 13-15 Sheet Street, Windsor, Berkshire 5L4 1AS, UK. Tel: (0753) 841488. Tx: 849062. Fax: (0753) 841215)
Software for building designs and costings A suite of software packages has been announced by Astron Building Systems that, according to Astron, will allow clients to obtain design and cost data interactively. Astron is a European manufacturer of advanced one-storey steel structures for nonresidential use, such as retail premises, garages, industrial units and leisure buildings. In particular, Astron uses the welded portal frame concept. Astron designs in accordance with the standards and codes applicable to each country, but it has only been recently, following the publication of Part 5 of the UK Standard BS .5950, that the company has begun to make use of tapered section welded frames in the UK. The code developments mean that, after an initial phase of computerization, Astron can now move into a second phase. It will involve its builder-dealers in this phase, who will use Astron's software systems to present 3D construction solutions and costings in real-time in the presence of the clients. Astron adopts a franchise approach, whereby the customer deals with local builder-dealers (who have Astron's backing). The menu-driven software, called Cyprion, runs on IBM PCs and compatibles installed at the local builder-dealer, which are linked to host mainframes (Prime) at Astron's UK headquarters at Coventry and European headquarters in Luxembourg. The builder-dealer can recall files forl all Astron buildings and accessories, and as a result give a costing to the client onsite. The system currently provides 2D and 3D wireframe images, although there are other graphics capabilities (e.g. cars, trees and people) as well. The system uses Hewlett-Packard plotters or compatibles. Additional programs are available for insulation and heat loss calculation. Cyprion is available at a yearly fee, which is determined according to country.
(Astron Buildings Division, Commercial Hydraulics Keelavite Ltd, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9/t)(, UK. Tel: (0676) 23459. Tx: 31375 KEELA G. Fax: (0676) 23525) 165