- Email: [email protected]
Westward automate
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Professional Palette The Palette drafting package is now available on Digital Equipment Corporation's Professional 350 personal computer. Developed by McLean Computer Consultants Pty Limited, Palette performs 2D drafting and 3D (wireframe) modelling and perspectives. The basic drawing functions include regular polygons, cubic spline interpolation, and smooth curves with independent end conditions. Up to t6 independent drawing layers are allowed in each drawing. Arbitrary portions of the drawing may be relocated.
Tektronix update Plot 50 Tektronix have introduced an updated version of their Plot 50 2D drafting software. Enhancements include spline capability, multi-user support (up to ten users), 512 kbytes memory and a variety of plotter drivers. Plot 50 is menu driven using a keyboard and tablet. Plotters catered for by the updated version include Hewlett-Packard, Benson and CIL machines. Plot 50 complies with the ANSI Y14 drafting standards. It may be used with Tektronix' other software including picture composition, interactive digitizing and document preparation packages. (Tektronix UK Limited, 36-38 Coldharbour Lane, Harpenden, Harts AL5 4UP, UK. Tel: (05827) 63141)
NC postprocessor Computervision have launched an advanced NC post processor software package for use with their CADDS NC system. The new package allows one post processor to be used for several types of NC controllers. Machine dependent functions are controlled by user-defined values held in a separate parameter file, created using an interactive editor. Machine tool controllers currently supported include Bosch, Fanuc, Siemens, General Electric, Konsberg, Philips and SMT. (Computervision Limited, Computervision Centre, Central House, New Street, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 IAA, UK. Tel: (0256) 58133. Tx: 858564)
minute Westward Micro Systems, manufacturers of graphics terminals, have opened a £1 million automated factory. Westward began selling their products
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direct to systems houses and end users in January 1982. Since then, they have taken orders worth over £3 million.
(Westward Micro Systems Limited, Alexandra Way, Ashchurch Industrial Estate, Tewkesbury, Glos GL20 8NB, UK. Tel: (0684) 298600. Tx: 437239)
GenRad link testing to CAE GenRad have announced a data transfer link for their computer-aided testing systems. The new product, called DataLink, is a hardware and software data transfer and emulation link which allows test data to be transferred to a multi-user host. The link may be made either by direct wire connection or via a modem. Features include an enhanced file server support for links to VAX/VMS and RSX-I IM systems, and usercustomization of program parameters.
(GenRad Limited, Norreys Drive, Maidenhead, Berks, UK. Tel: (06L)8) 39181. Tx: 848321)
Palette is sold in the USA jointly by McLean Computer Consultants and Structural Programming Incorporated. Its Australian name is Autodraft. The Professional 350 is the top of Digital's range of personal computers. Based on the PDP11/23 processor, it has a multi-tasking operating system. Dual mini-floppies and an optional 5 Mbyte Winchester are provided.
(Digital Equipment Corporation, Engineering Systems Group, MR03-1, 2 Iron Way, Marlboro, MA O1752, USA)
Colourgraphics processors Two colour graphics processors based on the NEC graphics chip PD7220/gdc have been launched by Vectrix Corporation. Both processors provide a resolution of 672 x 480 pixels, and hardware generation of lines and arcs. An Intel 8088 has been included to provide hardware multiply/divide and 3D manipulation. The less powerful of the two systems, the VX128, allows for eight simultaneous colours; the more powerful VX384 allows 512 simultaneous colours using 9 bit-planes. Both models also allow userdefinable characters and line and fill patterns. Bi-directional access to individual pixels and graphics RAM is featu red. The VX128 costs $1 995, and the VX384 costs $3 995. OEM discounts are available. (Vectrix Corporation,
700 Battleground A venue, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA. Tel: (919) 272 3479)
computer-aided design
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Professional Palette The Palette drafting package is now available on Digital Equipment Corporation's Professional 350 personal computer. Developed by McLean Computer Consultants Pty Limited, Palette performs 2D drafting and 3D (wireframe) modelling and perspectives. The basic drawing functions include regular polygons, cubic spline interpolation, and smooth curves with independent end conditions. Up to t6 independent drawing layers are allowed in each drawing. Arbitrary portions of the drawing may be relocated.
Tektronix update Plot 50 Tektronix have introduced an updated version of their Plot 50 2D drafting software. Enhancements include spline capability, multi-user support (up to ten users), 512 kbytes memory and a variety of plotter drivers. Plot 50 is menu driven using a keyboard and tablet. Plotters catered for by the updated version include Hewlett-Packard, Benson and CIL machines. Plot 50 complies with the ANSI Y14 drafting standards. It may be used with Tektronix' other software including picture composition, interactive digitizing and document preparation packages. (Tektronix UK Limited, 36-38 Coldharbour Lane, Harpenden, Harts AL5 4UP, UK. Tel: (05827) 63141)
NC postprocessor Computervision have launched an advanced NC post processor software package for use with their CADDS NC system. The new package allows one post processor to be used for several types of NC controllers. Machine dependent functions are controlled by user-defined values held in a separate parameter file, created using an interactive editor. Machine tool controllers currently supported include Bosch, Fanuc, Siemens, General Electric, Konsberg, Philips and SMT. (Computervision Limited, Computervision Centre, Central House, New Street, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 IAA, UK. Tel: (0256) 58133. Tx: 858564)
minute Westward Micro Systems, manufacturers of graphics terminals, have opened a £1 million automated factory. Westward began selling their products
I 12
direct to systems houses and end users in January 1982. Since then, they have taken orders worth over £3 million.
(Westward Micro Systems Limited, Alexandra Way, Ashchurch Industrial Estate, Tewkesbury, Glos GL20 8NB, UK. Tel: (0684) 298600. Tx: 437239)
GenRad link testing to CAE GenRad have announced a data transfer link for their computer-aided testing systems. The new product, called DataLink, is a hardware and software data transfer and emulation link which allows test data to be transferred to a multi-user host. The link may be made either by direct wire connection or via a modem. Features include an enhanced file server support for links to VAX/VMS and RSX-I IM systems, and usercustomization of program parameters.
(GenRad Limited, Norreys Drive, Maidenhead, Berks, UK. Tel: (06L)8) 39181. Tx: 848321)
Palette is sold in the USA jointly by McLean Computer Consultants and Structural Programming Incorporated. Its Australian name is Autodraft. The Professional 350 is the top of Digital's range of personal computers. Based on the PDP11/23 processor, it has a multi-tasking operating system. Dual mini-floppies and an optional 5 Mbyte Winchester are provided.
(Digital Equipment Corporation, Engineering Systems Group, MR03-1, 2 Iron Way, Marlboro, MA O1752, USA)
Colourgraphics processors Two colour graphics processors based on the NEC graphics chip PD7220/gdc have been launched by Vectrix Corporation. Both processors provide a resolution of 672 x 480 pixels, and hardware generation of lines and arcs. An Intel 8088 has been included to provide hardware multiply/divide and 3D manipulation. The less powerful of the two systems, the VX128, allows for eight simultaneous colours; the more powerful VX384 allows 512 simultaneous colours using 9 bit-planes. Both models also allow userdefinable characters and line and fill patterns. Bi-directional access to individual pixels and graphics RAM is featu red. The VX128 costs $1 995, and the VX384 costs $3 995. OEM discounts are available. (Vectrix Corporation,
700 Battleground A venue, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA. Tel: (919) 272 3479)
computer-aided design