Drafting skill updation.

A Constraint-Based Representation Scheme is proposed to maintain the solid models in terms of geometric constraints, and to enable more intelligent support for designers than current parametric modelling systems. Assembly is a necessary and important part of any manufacturing process. The Virtual Assembly Design Environment (VADE) is a virtual reality (VR) based engineering application which allows production engineers to create an on-screen virtual manufacturing environment which graphically displays and simulates actual manufacturing processes. It also allows engineers to design, modify and plan the assembly of mechanical system and enable to improve the design and enhance the features of products at the conception and design stage itself. A method for providing a virtual environment for simulating the arrangement of a plurality of parts into an assembly, comprising: (a) creating a model in a design environment for each part, each model having a geometry that corresponds to a part; (b) translating each model into a virtual part in the virtual environment, the design environment being integrated with the virtual environment; and (c) enabling each virtual part to be positioned in an assembly within the virtual environment, wherein the positioning of each virtual part enables a simulation to be performed for the arrangement of the plurality of parts into the assembly.

This system focuses on utilizing an immersive virtual environment tightly coupled with commercial Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems. It can help identify some of the technical problems that can possibly be encountered in real life production and can effectively be used to guide the design process.

As a prototype, this system has a knowledge-based library of standard mechanical fastening parts, so a great deal of work is reduced during the product modeling stage. Besides, product models can be directly inserted or modified with a friendly user interface in the immersive VR environment. In order to reach the target of virtual design and integrate VR and computer aided design, the system adopts the variational design approach, so a product model has not only the geometric information, but also variation information and even assembly match information. Finally, the VDAS has the function of assembly planning, and several interactive manipulations, such as part modification, assembly plan verification and modification, have been realized.

Salient features of VADE include:

1) data integration (two-way) with a parametric CAD system

2) realistic interaction of the user with parts in the virtual environment

3) realistic assembly environment

4) creation of valued design information in the virtual environment

5) use of engineer’s assembly design intent in the virtual environment

6) parametric design modifications in the virtual environment

7) collision detection

inclusion of assembly tools

9) physically-based modeling

10) reverse data transfer of design information back to the CAD system

11) significant interactivity in the virtual environment; collision detection; and physically-based modeling

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Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computer technology to aid in the design of a product. CAD is not just a drafting tool; it’s a very accurate and robust design tool. A CAD system is a combination of hardware and software that enables engineers and architects to design everything like, airplane, building, roads, factory layouts, ships and cars to digital cameras, mobile phones, TVs, etc.

There are many types of CAD systems and brand names, but we can divide it into main two types, 2D and 3D.

2Dimensional almost like drawing on a drafting board, essentially a flat view usually dimensioned and detailed to some type of standard but is somewhat limited. 3Dimensional is very popular, and with the ability to manipulate 3D Models as if they were actual solid objects, very desirable. Each 3D model is an exact replica of an existing object or idea of an object but in digital format which can be up scaled or down scaled or modified to any specific tolerance. These digital objects are then ready for multiple views, or cross sections, dimensions and details, just like 2D drawings. But 3D models have much more to offer,.

CAD is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods of components.The use of CAD is not limited to design drawings only it can also be use for: Page layout, web graphics (when scaling and relationships are important to an image, making the image in CAD and exporting it as a bitmap for touchup and conversion can be very productive) Sign layout, laser-cutting patterns for garment factories, schematic design and printed-circuit board layout etc.ADVANTAGES CAD systems offers a number of advantages over traditional drafting methods that use rulers, squares, and compasses now a days designs can be created or altered without the use of this things.   For example, designs can be altered without erasing and redrawing and also Productivity is much improved by a CAD program that enabling us to easily draw polygons, ellipses, multiple parallel lines and multiple parallel curves and speed is also increased by the use of automatic fillets and chamfers. Many CAD programs include a macro or an add-on programming language that allow customizing our CAD program to suit our specific needs and implementing our ideas that can make our CAD system different from others. 

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Engineering Services Outsourcing (ESO)

India, already playing a leading force in the IT outsourcing market, is now in a position to expand services in engineering sectors. For India, there is a great opportunity in the global market for offshored engineering services. It is not only a significant revenue generator, but will also place India on the global innovation map. Attaining, training and retaining talent will be a critical next step for India to maintain its current advantage, industry experts say. Globally, the highest portion of work in engineering industry comes from the countries like US, Germany, and Japan. 

“Companies in India have developed capabilities and skill sets, and have invested in technology platforms to leverage this opportunity,” Nasscom President Kiran Karnik said at a press conference in New Delhi.

Global spending for engineering services is currently estimated at $750 billion per year, an amount nearly equal to India’s entire gross domestic product By 2020, the worldwide spend on engineering services is expected to increase to more than $1 trillion. Of the $750 billion spent today, only $10-15 billion is currently being offshored—a tiny fraction of the total. India’s current share of the offshore engineering services market is about 12 percent. The total global offshore engineering spend will grow to $150 billion to $225 billion by the year 2020, India has the potential to control 20 to 25 percent of the global market for offshored engineering services by 2010. By 2020, that number could be 25 to 30 percent, or $50 billion of the expected $150 to $225 billion market.

Engineering services offshoring could facilitate creating 150,000 to 200,000 additional jobs, up to 1,000,000 with multiplier effect. India needs to invest now to yield the required number of engineers by 2020, the report said.

Of India’s total market share in offshored engineering services, High-Tech/Telecom will likely represent the largest segment, capitalizing on India’s existing relationships and expertise. Automotive will most likely be the second-largest sector. The engineering market is a fragmented one with high-tech/telecom occupying 30% of this space, followed by automotive (19%), aerospace (8%) and utilities (3%). India is targeting the high-tech/telecom and automotive sectors, where outsource vendors find themselves on a strong footing in terms of both infrastructure and expertise.

Indeed, a number of giant automotive and aerospace companies have some of their engineering services done by Indian technology companies. Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Boeing, Airbus, and virtually every semiconductor manufacturing company, electronic goods maker, mobile handset vendor, and more have some work outsourced to India.

Engineering services (ES) outsourcing will create $40 billion opportunity for the Indian IT industry by 2020, a Nasscom report said. Nasscom and management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton on Thursday released the key findings of a study “Globalisation of engineering services-the next frontier for India.”

Infosys recently decided to hire 100 U.S. graduates to encourage better mutual understanding of one another’s markets. While no other Indian company has hired this many foreigners at one time, others are employing interns from other countries who sometimes stay on longer.

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The Layer is the basic tool used in CAD. CAD layering standards are essential to seamlessly share visual information data throughout the CAD industry. By accommodating the reuse of information, layers reduce drawing time and improve project coordination. Implementation of layers in a CAD file enables to manage the visual aspects of graphic entities. Better know as the AIA layer guidelines, these standards are developed and maintained by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The most recent guidelines are the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, 3rd Edition. 

For those looking to develop and implement CAD standards and minimize the amount of work required to create layers, utilizing the AIA CAD Standards is recommended. 

Some CAD software vendors, such as Autodesk®, are utilizing the AIA layers along with other standards, within the latter of the Architectural Desktop series. 

Some firms prefer to use their own standards that specifically meet their needs, and that works great for them. Developing and maintaining office standards, is a time consuming process and many firms opt to utilize the AIA CAD Standards.

If you are interested in purchasing the AIA standards directly, visit the American Institute of Architects at aia.org for more information.

CAD layers are organized into major categories or groups. The major groups are further subdivided into minor groups. Each group represents a layer in the converted CAD file. Each layer is labeled using a consistent, easy-to-remember abbreviation. The major groups defined by the AIA include : 

Architectural
C Civil
E Electrical
F Fire protection
G General
H Hazardous materials
I Interiors
L Landscape
M Mechanical
P Plumbing
Q Equipment
R Resource
S Structural
T Telecommunications
X Other disciplines
Z Contractor/shop drawings 

National CAD Standards

Another option is to purchase the AIA layer guidelines within the broader content of the National CAD Standards (NCS), otherwise know as U.S. National CAD Standard Version 3.1.

Although a more expensive option through the NCS, there are additional CAD publications included.

In addition to the AIA layering guidelines included, you also have access to the Uniform Drawing System (from the Construction Specification Institute, or, CSI) and the Tri-Service Plotting Guidelines (by the United States Department of Defense). There are also other important CAD standards documentation included.

There are three price categories for purchasing the National CAD Standards. For AIA or CSI members, the price is $250. Non-members pay $350 and students pay $175.

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Google has introduced a new version of SketchUp - Google Sketchup Pro 6 in just few months after launching sketchup 6. It includes many new features based on user suggestions.  According to the user guide, the new features include:

• Photo match
• Sketchy edges
• Watermarks
• Styles
• Fog
• Text and dimension improvements
• 3D text tool
• Speed
• Component, materials and styles browser
• Force inference directions
• Intersect tool
• Two-point perspective
• Paste in place
• Native support for Google Earth and 3D warehouse
• Better modifier keys

 Google SketchUp Pro 6 is software that you can use to create, share and present 3D models. SketchUp Pro 6 lets you create 3D models from photographs, match existing models to background photos, render sketchy effects and fog and mark your models with 3D text, logos and watermarks.

The Pro version of SketchUp provides extra functionality for people who need to export their work into CAD, rendering and other professional software applications.

“And now Google With the new Styles palette, you have easy access to a collection of display settings, which you can save and share. You also have greater control, with new features like enhanced modifier keys that let you perform operations like “copy” while you move, rotate or push/pull.

If you use Google Earth, Google SketchUp allows you to place your models using real-world coordinates and share them with the world using the 3D Warehouse.

The new recommended feature for this version is the LayOut (beta). It is a brand-new tool for creating and sharing presentations—paper and digital— made from your SketchUp models.With LayOut (beta) you can:

• Create compelling multi-page design documents and presentations.
• Arrange and annotate multiple scaled images on a single-page.
• Create customized elements and symbols for your presentations using 2D Vector graphics toolsets.
• Create, document and present your designs using a single software package.

These are all in one, save time for doing photo touch-up and presentation panel.

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One can develop highly complicated shapes directly modeled in 3D animation. Today several companies have started developing their industrial ideas in 3d.  There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size.

3D modeling is applicable where it is necessary to convey your company’s original image and boost any advertising campaign through vivacious and smart graphics solutions. Mechanical engineers, boat designs (designers), etc. are using 3D Modeling & Animation for  Industrial Plants, Chemical Plants, Manufacturing Plants, 3D Engineering modeling India. Model any shape you can imagine.  

Presently the computer become a part & parcel of industrial industry. This has led to the use of computers in machineries being operated.  Investors are very much conscious when they know a new machine is being introduced until they know for sure it will work, which is impossible to tell until the prototype is made and tested.   

With 3d technology one can almost make a machine and show how it works without ever a piece of machine being assembled in real life.  It will help you to save a lot of money and resources that might go into developing a failure prototype or design.  With the help of  3d technology one can develop any industrial machinery that is still in designing mode.  One can even develop as the design is being developed in order for you to get a better perspective of the usage of the machine.  It will give your presentation of the machine a real life and improve your chances of success.

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Toolkit Max 2008 from DRC Auto provides an impressive set of productivity enhancements for the AutoCAD software suite including AutoCAD 2008. Toolkit Max supports ObjectARX, Fast-Load AutoLISP, ObjectDBX and AutoLISP, and Visual LISP Executable files. Toolkit Max 2008 features tools like easy layer control routines, fast object snapping and quick viewpoint routines. Additional commands of the Toolkit Max 2008 allow for easy configuration of the cursor control and function keys, allowing many common functions to be automated.

The LT3D from DRC Auto provides all the benefits of 3D modelling technology to AutoCAD LT 2000 and above. LT3D provides AutoCAD LT 2000 with a variety of tools to cater to all types of 3D modelling. Toolkit 2008 from DRC Auto provides a number of productivity enhancements for the AutoCAD software suite like easy layer control routines, fast object snapping and quick viewpoint routines. In addition to this Toolkit 2008 provides the ability to load and run LISP files.

AccuRender V4 from DRC Auto creates stunning images from 3-D models inside AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT. AccuRender V4 uses raytracing and radiosity technologies to create quality still, panorama, photorealistic and animation image files.

Smart Architect LT PRO 2006 from DRC Auto is designed to cater to a wide range of project groups like commercial, residential, institutional and industrial and offers an exciting range of cost minimising and time saving, features to improve the performance of AutoCAD LT.

SolidWorks is powerful enough for advanced engineering, but easy enough for middle-schoolers.

SolidWorks Corp. has solemnly pledged to make its 3D CAD software as easy to use as possible. One way to measure progress is to look at who’s using the software. SolidWorks 3D CAD software, which has helped the world’s most accomplished engineers produce designs like artificial hearts, the arm for the Mars “Spirit” Rover, and cars at the famed Skip Barber Racing School, is now easy enough to make the world’s youngest product designers productive from day one, according to teachers.

Starting in sixth grade, for example, technology education students at Brookside Middle School in Sarasota, Fla., and Sun Prairie (Wis.) Area School District use SolidWorks Education Edition software to design racing cars, airplanes, boats, and, soon, solar vehicles. “Even the 11-year-olds are quite capable using SolidWorks to design basic, fully functional products from start to finish,” said Brookside technology education instructor Patrick Haley.

If a student changes a dimension — wheel size, engine placement, etc. — the design automatically adjusts without forcing a redesign of the axle, chassis and motor mounts. SolidWorks software’s belt and pulley capabilities display the results in live motion, adjusting the belt size automatically. When students design sheet metal engine brackets in SolidWorks, the software creates a flat pattern that students lay on their work tables and consult as they snip, bend and punch. “SolidWorks drives home basic math and physics principles students have learned in other classes,” said Haley. “Mastering the design gets them excited to move on to the building phase.”

Haley is now developing a curriculum in which students will design model cars with fully active solar panels. Students will use SolidWorks software to explore the effects of different panel angles on power, drag and part interference. “Whatever we’re doing in SolidWorks, they can’t wait to get to class,” he said. “We have to chase them out in the end.”

“Students keep exceeding what I ask them to do,” said Andrea Krull, technology and engineering education instructor. “I have sixth-graders accomplishing eighth-grade objectives, forcing the district to review curricula to accommodate student progress. Students clamor for free drawing periods in which some have actually reverse-engineered their iPods — from memory. We’re growing engineers here.”

Although sixth grade sounds early for engineering education, it’s actually right on time, according to Al Gomez, engineering instructor and career/technical education coordinator at Sun Prairie. For developmental and other reasons, students’ minds are particularly open at sixth-grade — more so than in the latter years of high school. “This is the best time to get students — particularly girls — confident in their abilities,” Gomez said. “As a nation, we’re losing engineers in general and females in particular. Early success can help us set a new course.”

McLaren Software announces the general availability of Enterprise Engineer for Assets software, bridging the gap between engineering and maintenance teams

This new application has been specifically designed in collaboration with key customers from the McLaren Customer Advisory Board to help owner operators assure the integrity of their asset documentation At the core of the new software is a controlled repository of officially sanctioned asset documentation including engineering documents and drawings called the asset information vault (AIV)

Within the AIV, vital asset-related information such as standard operating procedures, as-built drawings and plant documents are controlled in a centralized manner with automated processes to manage change across multiple engineering projects.

Through the McLaren Rapid Success Programme, key customers such as Petro-Canada and Sacramento Municipal Utility District are in the final stages of implementing the new application in order to standardise key engineering processes, increase operational efficiency, and reduce cycle times, while lowering non-compliance risks.

Quennon Coleman, Sr Project Manager at Sacramento Municipal Utility District says, “The EE for Assets solution should provide us the ability to control the change of our asset documentation, reduce risk and improve overall efficiency with our design change process”.

Enterprise Engineer for Assets provides key processes to move asset documentation into and out of the AIV.

By managing the relationship between as built versions and project revisions, customers can now easily manage multiple concurrent projects and maintain the quality of their documentation.

This capability is paramount, as during their lifespan assets are renovated, reconfigured, extended and finally decommissioned to meet everything from changing business demands to external regulatory requirements.

According to Paul Muir, CEO of McLaren Software, “this business challenge further validates an urgent need for a new class of application to automate processes that help manage the creation and use of unstructured content.

The result is the formation of enterprise content management (ECM) strategies that require a combination of process automation, document management, and industry best practice.

At McLaren Software, we refer to our solutions as intellectual work management applications which is very similar to what many industry analysts are now referring to as content-centric applications”.

“Content-centric applications usually comprise more than document management technology; they are horizontal or vertical business applications that rely heavily on collaboration, document management, workflow, and business process management software,” adds Kyle McNabb, Forrester analyst: “Enterprise architects and information management professionals should strive to evaluate and deploy content-centric applications that put documents to use within the business context”: (”How to Drive Document Management Adoption”, Forrester Research, September 2006).

Enterprise Engineer for Assets is the only content-centric application of its kind that ensures there is a single trusted source for asset documentation that can scale across the enterprise.

This reduces rework, minimises project delays and allows for more accurate decision-making based on roles and assignments by using built-in processes that allow for officially sanctioned document updates.

These updates can then be communicated in a controlled manner across all end users.

Paul Muir, CEO of McLaren Software points out, “Enterprise Engineer for Assets centrally aggregates and manages all of the documentation associated with these ever-changing facilities, providing engineering professionals and the extended organization with reliable, secure access to crucial asset documentation anytime, anywhere”.

Enterprise Engineer for Assets works with the McLaren Software flagship application suite, Enterprise Engineer.

Enterprise Engineer supports the engineering process by providing a single point of control to manage the production and use of project content, including drawings, correspondence, procedures and specifications.

It is suggested that structural engineers use this method to evaluate the aesthetic qualities of their own structural detailing. This process may lead to a greater appreciation of architect’s attitudes to detailing, and deepen the level of design collaboration between architects and engineers. A steel detailer using computer-aided methods creates his drawings on a computer, using software specifically designed for the purpose, and printing out his drawings on paper only when they are complete. Many detailers would add another classification for those using 3-D Modeling applications specifically designed for steel detailing, as the process for the production of drawings using these applications is markedly different from a 2-D drafting approach.Structural steel detailing requires skills in drafting, mathematics (including geometry and trigonometry), logic, reasoning, spatial visualization, and communication. A basic knowledge of general engineering principles and the methods of structural and miscellaneous steel fabrication, however acquired, is essential to the practice of this discipline. A computer-aided detailer also requires skills in using computers and an understanding of the specific CAD software he is to use. 

Structural Steel Detailing Service include :

Connection Design, Steel Fabrication Drawings, Steel Shop Drawings, Steel Erection Drawings, Bill of Materials, CNC Output & Gather sheets 

Software used : AutoCad, X-Steel, Strucad, Microsation  

Process :-

A detailer’s drawings generally go through several phases.

• A quote request is received from clients.
• The information sent by client is reviewed by estimator and a quote is generated.
• A contract is signed between client & the service provider.
• On receipt detailers will generate erection approval drawings. Client may also request shop drawings to be created at this time.
• Following creation of the drawing, the detailer must usually submit a copy of the drawing to the architect and engineer for review. Copies of the drawing may be sent to other recipients at this time as well, such as the general contractor, for informational purposes only.
• The drawing must also be checked for accuracy and completeness by another detailer (called, for this purpose, the checker).
• Checked drawings are coordinated; comments and concerns are fixed and verified. Comments arising from designer review and corrections made during checking must be resolved, and the original drawing must be updated accordingly.
• Approval drawings are issued to client.
• The approval drawings are returned with markup. All comments will be incorporated into the drawings. Shop drawings are generated from the newly coordinated erection drawings.
• All drawings are again sent to our checker for review. Checked drawings are re-coordinated to fix all issues noted by the checker.
• Final erection drawings and shop drawings are then re-issued to the client.
• After this, the drawing may be released to the fabricator and/or erector for use in construction.

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