In the first major product news since its acquisition by ANSYS, SpaceClaim has launched the latest version of the next generation 3D modelling tool, ANSYS SpaceClaim 2015. With a bunch of new features and improvements to the 3D modelling process, the tool is set to open the doors for more engineers into the realm of 3D.
“It really helps engineers and designers engage with 3D,” explained Justin Hendrickson, Director of product management at SpaceClaim. “It is for people who are typically left behind by CAD because it’s either too difficult or takes too much time and training.”
SpaceClaim has traditionally focused on three areas; concept modelling, model preparation for analysis and model preparation for manufacturing. In the 2015 version, these focuses are improved with the ability to manipulate product geometries, compress product development cycle times and more importantly allow fast and flexible 3D printing.
This results in projects that can take over a week to carry out being tackled in a matter of minutes.
With new tools like RELIEF file preparation, repairing, analysing and editing tools such as Pull and Move, models can be put together much faster for 3D printing.
SpaceClaim’s customer base reinforces the fact that the two key areas where 3D printing has shown the most value is in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Regularise triangles to evenly position across surface.
“Definitely the two biggest industries I have seen have been aerospace and automotive,” Justin commented. “Mostly because mass considerations are very important there and one of the best things about 3D printing is that it lets you create complex shapes very easily.”
SpaceClaim cites Tyko Electronics and Toyota as two high-profile adopters of its software. In search of a solution for their engineering needs, both companies realised that by deploying SpaceClaim across their organisations, they were able to minimise the volume of software training and encourage engineers to work actively in 3D design which for SpaceClaim, is really the goal.
SpaceClaim certainly does simplify the process by allowing designers more freedom to build products and manipulate them to an optimum level. As Justin commented: “3D is traditionally hard and we’re trying to make it faster and easier.”
Unlike standard STL files which would usually be considered a closed format, designs made in SpaceClaim can be altered along the way making the transfer of information on the production line much more transparent.
For 3D printing, the process has been made much clearer by giving users the ability to work with faceted data to analyse their designs, check usability and find areas that might need more attention or support before sending a file for print.
These cutting edge advancements are the first key improvements to come out of SpaceClaim since its acquisition earlier this year. The integration with ANSYS resources like ANSYS Workbench mean that engineers will be able to work faster and realise their designs with an enhanced toolpath.
Justin added: “ANSYS is a big supporter of the mission we have been pursuing for eight years to bring 3D to a larger number of engineers and thanks to being able to work with them now and their skills with software design and connection with a larger group of users, we hope that will be able to grow even faster.”
