SDRC Announces I-DEAS Artisan Series, Release 4
10 August 1999
SDRC Announces I-DEAS Artisan Series, Release 4
CINCINNATI--Aug. 10, 1999--I-DEAS Artisan Series 4 Software Provides Enhanced Collaboration for Easier Supply Chain Integration; Key to 156% Revenue Growth Rates
SDRC a leading global supplier of enterprise product development solutions and developer of I-DEAS(R) and Metaphase(R) Enterprise(TM) software, today announced I-DEAS(R) Artisan Series(TM), Release 4, with first customer shipments beginning immediately. I-DEAS Artisan Series is a scalable CAD/CAM software package that offers integrated, full functionality for product design and manufacturing requirements. At the same time, Artisan(TM) can support an individual user with stand-alone capabilities. With Release 4, customers will have greater ability to improve productivity and "right to market" goals by implementing the enhanced design collaboration and engineering features found in this newest version of Artisan.
Continuing to gain momentum in the market, I-DEAS Artisan Series posted 156% revenue growth rates comparing the first six months of 1999 with the same period in 1998 by successfully supporting its target audience. I-DEAS Artisan Series addresses the product design and manufacturing needs of its various users, including:
-- Suppliers to OEMs using I-DEAS(R) Master Series(TM) software --
true scalability is key with this audience. I-DEAS Artisan Series
supports the same data structure and has the same highly
productive user interface as I-DEAS Master Series -- facilitating
fully associative digital representation of products throughout
the extended enterprise.
-- Users migrating from 2D to 3D tools -- over 500 companies have
successfully migrated to the solids-based functionality of I-DEAS
through a structured two-step migration strategy supported by
SDRC.
-- CAM users attracted to the productivity gains offered by
solids-based machining -- over one-third of the industry's
largest stand-alone CAM customer base has already integrated to
the solids-based machining capabilities of I-DEAS Artisan Series.
-- Smaller companies and organizations who desire a fully functional
solid modeler for their product development initiatives many
small product development environments support individual users
who produce complex parts that require the full functionality of
a product such as I-DEAS Artisan Series. The extended VGX(TM)
capabilities in Release 4 will provide an opportunity for
dramatic improvements in individual user productivity.
Additionally, full credit is offered as these smaller development
units expand -- not only in size but also in their product
requirements needs -- and they make decisions to move to the
integrated I-DEAS Master Series suite.
"SDRC understands the needs of its customers whether it's a large manufacturer, a supplier, or a company operating in both a 2D and a 3D environment. Through I-DEAS Artisan Series and I-DEAS Master Series, SDRC offers a scalable I-DEAS solution that addresses the range of requirements in the market," commented Bill Carrelli, vice president of marketing, SDRC. "We believe that no other product in its price range facilitates the 2D to 3D migration as well as Artisan, including the process of moving to manufacturing."
"SDRC's strategy of offering its I-DEAS software in both the Artisan Series as well as the Master Series versions provides a solution that can scale to the various requirements of its user communities," said Bruce Jenkins, vice president, Daratech. "OEMs require the full functionality of collaborative enterprise solutions such as I-DEAS Master Series, while suppliers more often look for attractively priced, highly usable solution sets targeted to their specific disciplines, as is the case with I-DEAS Artisan Series. The associativity between these two products makes this especially attractive in this venue."
"We have found I-DEAS Artisan Series to be an excellent tool to enable our overall product and business objectives," said Russell Webb, director of engineering, Flex-O-Lators Division of Leggett and Platt Automotive Group. "Artisan allows us to create digital `master models' that take our products from design through production with measurable savings over our previous 2D system, particularly in the areas of rework and drawing time. The new capabilities in Artisan 4 will further enable our project team to increase individual user productivity, as well as facilitate a more cohesive team approach -- not only within our project team here at Flex-O-Lators, but also with the OEMs we support -- through the advanced collaboration tools."
A key enhancement to I-DEAS Artisan Series is the addition of collaboration capabilities -- which build on SDRC's I-DEAS(R) Team Data Manager(TM) software. I-DEAS Team Data Manager allows for dynamic data sharing among small groups of users. Additionally, as in previous releases of I-DEAS, data may be shared associatively and bi-directionally between I-DEAS Artisan Series and I-DEAS Master Series. This type of collaborative framework is essential in facilitating an environment where OEMs, suppliers, partners, and customers are active participants in the product design process.
Increased functionality is available with this release in the extensions to the geometry creation features. Additionally, Artisan 4 presents several integrated advanced engineering options in the areas of manufacturing and industry specific applications, including a new toolpath engine for manufacturing, enhanced surfacing functionality, and VGX for Moldbase Design.
New toolpath engine for manufacturing --
With this release, I-DEAS(R) Generative Machining(TM) software has been greatly enhanced through a new toolpath engine that is significantly faster for surface finishing operations. It also provides greater control over toolpath creation. Functional improvements have been incorporated for all surface-based milling operations -- copymill, flowline, projection, volume clear, and profile. Developed to take full advantage of the solid model, this release is of particular importance to companies with three-axis milling requirements, common in the tool, die and mold market, and also provides innovative tools for multi-axis holemaking. This release of I-DEAS Artisan Series represents another step in SDRC's strategy of accelerating its on-going delivery schedule for I-DEAS manufacturing applications.
To address industry-specific, process-related design steps, SDRC introduces new I-DEAS functionality in the areas of surfacing extensions and moldbase design -- areas that are critical in addressing OEM to supplier integration and in furthering the access of solids-based operations to the manufacturing environment.
VGX(TM) surfacing extensions --
I-DEAS Artisan Series 4 offers extended capabilities in automated flanging -- a requirement for the automotive industry with leveraged benefits for the aerospace, electronics, and industrial industries. These capabilities enable complex, 3-D associations to be developed between industrial design, or styled class 1 surfaces, and the supporting structural geometry (often referred to as class 2 surfaces). Additional functionality is available for support of deep drawn sheet metal components. These capabilities are particularly beneficial to companies that develop complex surfaced parts.
VGX(TM) for Moldbase Design --
I-DEAS VGX Moldbase automates the design of fully assembled molds starting with standard moldbases and components. Through a set of streamlined commands, a user can easily create a complete moldbase assembly. Additionally, dimension-driven intelligent mold features can be added to the assembly using a unique 3D dynamic drag and drop preview capability to adjust size and position. I-DEAS VGX Moldbase will allow a user to greatly reduce the time required to develop complete moldbase assemblies. Faster change operations will also be facilitated through associative component definition capabilities. In addition, the I-DEAS Mold Design Course is bundled with the I-DEAS VGX Moldbase package. This Web-based training takes users through the I-DEAS toolset and helps them become proficient in molded part creation, core/cavity development, and moldbase assembly configuration in a short period of time.
Availability and Pricing --
I-DEAS Artisan Series software is compatible with Intel-based PC's and workstations running Windows NT and will be available in eight languages worldwide: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. For local and international pricing, contact SDRC's worldwide network of local distributors and representatives, or call SDRC directly at 800/848-7372 (513/576-2400).
About SDRC
SDRC (Structural Dynamics Research Corporation) is one of the world's leading providers of enterprise product development solutions with its suite of mechanical design automation software and product data management software. The Company's products, coupled with engineering and consulting services, help manufacturers optimize product development early in the design process, enabling them to reduce cost and cycle time while significantly improving quality and time to market. SDRC provides the award-winning I-DEAS(R) product suite of integrated CAD/CAM/CAE software, and the market-leading PDM software, Metaphase Enterprise, which is developed, marketed and supported by SDRC's Metaphase(R) Technology(TM) Division. SDRC employs more than 2,500 people worldwide, with 77 offices in 18 countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific.
http://www.sdrc.com/
Note to Editors: SDRC, I-DEAS, and Metaphase are registered trademarks, and I-DEAS Artisan Series, I-DEAS Master Series, I-DEAS Team Data Manager, Artisan, I-DEAS Generative Machining, VGX, and Metaphase Enterprise are trademarks of Structural Dynamics Research Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.