Then, when it comes time to program a part, rather than creating all the logic from start, you simply choose the template type and it generates the CNC code automatically! And this happens again and again and again -- it's now a optimized, repeatable operation in your business. REUSEABLE CNC CODING TEMPLATES |
| POWERED BY |  |
Many 2D-CAD users in mechanical design would like to transition to full 3D-CAD but are concerned about over-complexity and affordability.
Well, ZW3D LITE is built especially for you! Specifically, it:
In fact, I was reading another blog about how there are many users of 2D software that are contemplating the switch to 3D CAD solid modeling so I thought I should show how ZW3D handles this task.
Specifically, I put together a 3-minute video where I import a 2D drawing into 3D space then create the 3D model and verify with an assembly -- we conclude with a design for a computer mouse with its circuit board.
One of the neat features that I show in ZW3D is the "move" command. Every time I show people simple moving with vectors they allows say "Wow, that was easy!" When moving the 3 views together you want to stand up the group in that view, so what was pointing in the Y+ you really want pointing in Z+ -- it's easy to do with vectors.
The other feature I use when modeling is "insert component" so in the example I wanted to see if the 3D shape I was making would allow the circuit board assembly to be inserted and fit correctly.
If you are considering moving from 2D to 3D, check out the below video and let us know if we can help -- email me here for a hands-on demo.
Randy Biebel
LinkedIN
ZW3D Product Page
Well, ZW3D LITE is built especially for you! Specifically, it:
- Has all the 3D functionality that you need (ZW3D feature chart)
- Is easy to use for 2D users
- Provides a strong growth curve to high-end 3D if needed
- Is eminently affordable ($1300 list)
In fact, I was reading another blog about how there are many users of 2D software that are contemplating the switch to 3D CAD solid modeling so I thought I should show how ZW3D handles this task.
Specifically, I put together a 3-minute video where I import a 2D drawing into 3D space then create the 3D model and verify with an assembly -- we conclude with a design for a computer mouse with its circuit board.
One of the neat features that I show in ZW3D is the "move" command. Every time I show people simple moving with vectors they allows say "Wow, that was easy!" When moving the 3 views together you want to stand up the group in that view, so what was pointing in the Y+ you really want pointing in Z+ -- it's easy to do with vectors.
The other feature I use when modeling is "insert component" so in the example I wanted to see if the 3D shape I was making would allow the circuit board assembly to be inserted and fit correctly.
If you are considering moving from 2D to 3D, check out the below video and let us know if we can help -- email me here for a hands-on demo.
Randy Biebel
ZW3D Product Page
I enjoy saving time with ZW3D's unified modeling approach to creating parts.
It's fun designing new parts without the worries of which tool do I choose to get the job done. With ZW3D's "Overdrive Kernel" and its best-in-class CAD tools I know I can get the job done quickly and accurately.
While the list of related features is far too long to review here, I thought I'd share my favorite aspects in this design of a car side-mirror:
It's fun designing new parts without the worries of which tool do I choose to get the job done. With ZW3D's "Overdrive Kernel" and its best-in-class CAD tools I know I can get the job done quickly and accurately.
While the list of related features is far too long to review here, I thought I'd share my favorite aspects in this design of a car side-mirror:
- First of all, ZW3D has a powerful set of both surface and solid commands. But what's even more powerful is that the solid tools can operate directly on surfaces and vice versa -- this makes for new possibilities in shapes and productivity.
|  Click to Zoom |
|  Click to Zoom |
- (Although I didn't have time in this demo, I should also mention direct edit modeling and related tools -- they are invaluable, especially when re-engineering a part or healing for manufacturing.)
See all these at work in the below video.
And I encourage you to try ZW3D CAD for your 3D design tool -- you will be pleased with its ease, power, and flexibility for high end work.
-- Randy Biebel, Manufacturing Advisor, ZWDirect
"Before it became widely recognized that holding designs in your hand attracted people to 3D printing like a moth to a flame, a lot of engineers were unaware of its benefits. While you can’t hold running code, today’s Pick of the Week gives you the pleasant surprise of showing what a full-featured CAD/CAM system can do for you."
Read full article.
Read full article.
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| Manufacturing shops, do you often receive 3D part models from customers that need major fixing before you can build the mold or start machining? And are you forced to spend countless man-hours tediously touching-up untrimmed surfaces, missing surfaces, and open edges? If so, I invite you to try ZW3D -- the Overdrive modeler and healing tools inside this CAD/CAM solution make quick work of fixing these faults and giving you a fully useable model. |  "Show Open Edges" Guides Users Through All Faults |
Here are some top features and commands that I've featured in a recent video:
- On importing, you have the options of "Autosew", "Break Trim Edges", and "Delete Duplicate Surfaces" -- a great start to healing and prepping the model.
- Also useful tool is the "Move" command which lets you orient the model by vectors to make it as handy as possible to heal.
- Then you have the centerpiece "Show Open Edges" command which highlights and guides you through all unresolved problems step-by-step -- it's an amazing confidence builder and time saver.
- I often use "Concatenate Edges" to join surface edges by an angle deviation and automatically correct many problems.
- Then you have a powerful freeform editing toolset, highlighted by "Trim to All Curves" -- because you don't need to manually pick each curve, this tool alone saves hours. Also remember, because Overdrive is a unified modeler, you can trim edges to either surfaces or shapes.
 Click for Bi-Rail Loft |
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But the best news is that all this healing is simple and fast -- what used to takes hours now takes minutes.
Feel free to have a deeper look at the video below.
-- Randy Biebel, Manufacturing Advisor, ZWDirect
Feel free to have a deeper look at the video below.
-- Randy Biebel, Manufacturing Advisor, ZWDirect
Given the upcoming change in the CAD market, we've been experiencing a surge in new membership -- so I thought I'd post an invitation here.
If you are a provider, feel free to post all new product and vendor materials in the promotions area and please do provide industry perspectives/counsel in discussions -- users and buyers certainly want to learn from you.
If you are a user or buyer, feel free to post your experiences, questions, or needs in the discussions area -- all others certainly want to help and learn from you. My overall perspective on this market is that you should and can be very demanding -- there are several very capable alternative/affordable CAD solutions in the market today.
My own recommendations for top criteria in seeking an affordable solution are: 1. Must provide 100% of the functionality that you need (and perhaps more), 2. Must scale to meet your design complexity/size requirements, 3. Must provide complete compatibility with AutoCAD/DWG, 4. Has made hundreds/thousands of customers like you successful, and 5. Is an organization that you trust for ongoing innovation and support for the future.
Again, I believe many strong solutions/vendors exists today and this group is committed to helping you find that match. We look forward to your thoughts!
You can join here.
If you are a provider, feel free to post all new product and vendor materials in the promotions area and please do provide industry perspectives/counsel in discussions -- users and buyers certainly want to learn from you.
If you are a user or buyer, feel free to post your experiences, questions, or needs in the discussions area -- all others certainly want to help and learn from you. My overall perspective on this market is that you should and can be very demanding -- there are several very capable alternative/affordable CAD solutions in the market today.
My own recommendations for top criteria in seeking an affordable solution are: 1. Must provide 100% of the functionality that you need (and perhaps more), 2. Must scale to meet your design complexity/size requirements, 3. Must provide complete compatibility with AutoCAD/DWG, 4. Has made hundreds/thousands of customers like you successful, and 5. Is an organization that you trust for ongoing innovation and support for the future.
Again, I believe many strong solutions/vendors exists today and this group is committed to helping you find that match. We look forward to your thoughts!
You can join here.
Top 5 Reasons Behind ZWCAD's Growing Popularity Among U.S. Manufacturers of Steel Structures
3/26/2015
ZWCAD is emerging as an increasing popular CAD solution for U.S. manufacturers of steel structures. More and more, it's being used by industry leaders to spec, design, detail, communicate, and install mezzanine systems, machinery platforms, towers, catwalks, handling and storage equipment, lifts, loading docks, protective guards, and more.
We connected with these players to report on the top reasons behind these decisions:
- ZWCAD Meets Key CAD Requirements: Whether discrete or process, in order for manufactures to produce world-class products, their steel structures for manufacturing must also be world-class, and, in turn, their CAD for designing those structures must be world-class. ZWCAD provides all 2D/3D design/detailing capabilities to meet these exacting engineering requirements.
- Pricing and Licensing to Fully Enable the Company: For best client results, the entire delivery team is equipped with CAD to spec, design, detail, communicate, and install a structural solution. At 1/5 the price of traditional CAD, ZWCAD+ allows for modern CAD in the hands of sales, engineers, drafters, and distributors. Also, with traditional CAD now limited to a rent-only option, these manufacturers typically prefer the ROI and flexibility of owning ZWCAD.
- Interfaces with Full Environment: Structural manufacturers often use BIM for preliminary design of their structures, analysis tools like STAAD to confirm the design, and then feed the tested design into CAD for further detailing and communications. ZWCAD, because it's 100% DWG compatible, fits seamlessly into these engineering and business systems.
- Customizable: A key asset of any manufacturer is specific know-how in their design and manufacturing process. With ZWCAD, organizations are able to program and automatically reuse much of this knowledge via customized interfaces, workflows, and libraries.
- Practical, Affordable Path to Upgrade to 2015 CAD: Many manufacturers, simply eager to upgrade to the latest CAD file versions and features, have turned to ZWCAD to get modern quickly and affordably.
For more on ZWCAD and how it can advance your manufacturing of steel structures and modernize your CAD, please visit the product page or call 617-701-7028.
| 1. 2015 Concept Vehicles Explore the Future -- This year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit featured fewer concept vehicles than past shows, and most of them were variations—some mild, some wild—of the standard sedan. 2. Robots on BMW's Assembly Line -- Richard Morris, vice president of assembly and logistics at BMW Manufacturing Co., discusses BMW’s strategy to use robots on the assembly line, including final door assembly. | 
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| 3. Apple Could be Building its Own Car -- With Google and Uber already having made clear intentions toward developing automated/driverless cars, rumors are brewing that Apple is getting into the game as well. | 
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| 4. Connected Cars Can Be Easily Hacked -- Virtually all "connected cars" on the road are vulnerable to hackers who could steal data or gain control of the vehicle, a report from a U.S. senator said Monday. | 
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| 5. Tesla Comes Up Short in Earnings and Deliveries -- Tesla reported fourth-quarter numbers, coming in well below estimates for both earnings and revenue. | 
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