New release offers robust enhancements for design, simulation and collaboration.

South African reseller Esteq introduced the newest version of Solid Edge – ST10 – at a function at the CSIR, revealing a handful of improvements, including the introduction of convergent modelling (the ability to mash up mesh and b-rep). The release also offers the ability to scale parts models and provides correct modelling of holes across bends in sheet metal.

Ethienne Botha and Anton Willemse, both of KSB Pumps and Valves with Rudolph Greyling of NECSA in the centre

The latest release of Siemens’ Solid Edge® software (Solid Edge ST10) brings every aspect of product development to the next level with new design technology, enhanced fluid flow and heat transfer analysis and cloud-based collaboration tools. Improved publishing tools enable the creation of interactive technical documents and the ability to share designs in the cloud. Solid Edge ST10 now makes it much easier to optimise parts for additive manufacturing (AM) and obtain quotes, material selection and delivery schedules from AM service providers. Newly integrated topology optimisation technology, combined with Siemens’ exclusive Convergent Modeling™ technology, enables designers to dramatically improve product design efficiency and streamlines the ability to work with imported geometry.

“We import many 3D models for components like lamps and cushions in a faceted format,” said Ricardo Espinosa, R&D Engineering Manager at Kimball International.

“The new Convergent Modelling technology that underlies Solid Edge ST10 will enable us to work faster and more flexibly with this data.”

Louis Joubert of Xtemp, Pieter du Plessis and Lislé Hansen, both of Esteq and Pieter du Plessis of Sngari

Expanding beyond traditional CAD capabilities, Solid Edge ST10 now offers a complete portfolio of tools to improve product development and design. New topology optimisation technology, a subset of automated generative design, quickly optimises the strength to weight ratio of individual part designs. Convergent Modelling greatly simplifies the ability to work with geometry consisting of a combination of facets, surfaces, and solids – such as those created by importing third-party CAD files or through topology optimisation. New simulation capabilities such as fully-integrated fluid flow analysis eliminate the need to transfer data between different applications, giving designers the ability to achieve accurate and fast fluid flow and heat transfer analysis directly in Solid Edge.

Enhancements to integrated computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) enables efficient programming of CNC machine tools, and the ability to define complex sheet metal components, optimised for manufacturing. New additive manufacturing tools enable users to 3D print parts in house or access a network of additive manufacturing services, optimising material selection and delivery.

De Wet Pienaar and Ivan le Roux, both of Gammatec with Buks Coetzer of Prototeq

Solid Edge ST10 also includes enriched publication features to quickly create detailed illustrations of designs. Publishing interactive digital documents can help communicate the correct manufacturing process and maintenance procedures for products. These documents are associative to the original design information, enabling rapid updates to the documentation when the design changes. New enhancements to built-in Solid Edge data management and improved integration with Siemens’ Teamcenter® software delivers scalable product data management to help companies of all sizes become digital enterprises. Component classification and off-line working are now supported for Solid Edge using the embedded Teamcenter integration.

Tim Frie of CAD Partner with Ryan Earle of Esteq

The Solid Edge portal will offer a cloud-based solution to collaborate with other users, suppliers and customers, simplifying communication in product development cycles. Offering a new way to work cooperatively, the portal allows users to upload and manage files in cloud-based folders, with multi-platform browser-based viewing of Solid Edge and many other popular CAD applications.

Erik Zimmermann of Zimtek Consulting with Marius Zwemstra of Novitek

“Digitalisation is leveling the playing field, providing unlimited opportunities for small-to medium-sized businesses to disrupt industry,” said John Miller, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Siemens PLM Software.”

“The release of Solid Edge ST10 provides a portfolio of next generation product development tools that will enable our manufacturing customers to fully collaborate in the digital economy.”

For further details contact Esteq on TEL: 012 809 9500 or visit www.esteq.co.za