Front End I News
DesignSpark Mechanical brings advantages of 3D design capability to engineers
In a move that has been welcomed by design engineers, RS Components has launched DesignSpark Mechanical, a 3D solid modelling and assembly tool. Unveiled to European media at an event in Budapest last month, the tool is available free of charge and is being seen as a significant development in terms of the opportunities afforded engineers from using 3D design software. According to RS the software is 'easy- to-use' and should help to bring a number of benefits to design engineers, it is certainly a signifcant step forward in the evolution of the distributor's online resource - DesignSpark.
DesignSpark Mechanical looks to
overcome the prohibitive investment costs associated with 3D design solutions at present and which is holding back the technology's adoption. Not only is DesignSpark Mechanical free, it is simple to use which means that engineers and others involved in product development should be able to understand the software within minutes, rather than the weeks or months currently required to become skilled in traditional 3D CAD tools.
“The launch of DesignSpark Mechanical is the first time a 3D design tool with this level of sophistication has been made freely available and we believe engineers will enjoy using modelling software that is so intuitive and flexible,” said Glenn Jarrett, Global Head of Product Marketing at RS Components.
DesignSpark Mechanical has been designed to be used early in the design cycle so that it can help eliminate much of the time-consuming rework that is often associated with traditional product development processes. The company
provide access to millions of models from the online
tracepartsonline.net CAD portal in the DesignSpark Mechanical format.
It has been estimated that there are 20 million engineers globally who do not
Security news: Maxim Integrated has unveiled the DeepCover Secure Authenticator (DS28C22), a highly secure cryptographic solution for a host controller to authenticate peripherals or embedded designs, and offers encrypted communication as an added benefit. DeepCover has been designed to help embedded security solutions protect sensitive data with multiple layers of advanced physical security and provide highly secure storage of the authentication secret keys.
On the edge: Smartphone maker Blackberry has agreed in principle to be bought by a consortium led by Fairfax Financial for $4.7bn (£3bn), its largest shareholder with about 10% of the stock. Blackberry has said that it would continue to explore other options while negotiations with Fairfax continued. Blackberry recently announced 4,500 jobs cuts in a bid to stem losses which are expected to top $1bn after poor sales of its new handsets.
Appointment: Gerd Look has taken up his new position as President and CEO of Renesas Electronics Europe. Formerly General Manager of Renesas Electronics Europe’s Automotive Business Group, he replaced Robert Green, who resigned earlier this year to pursue a career opportunity outside of Renesas. Look had been General Manager of Renesas’ Automotive Business Group since the merger of Renesas and NEC Electronics in April 2010.
believes that it will help engineers bring innovative new products to the market more quickly. With access to more than 38,000 3D models in the DesignSpark online component library, DesignSpark Mechanical gives engineers the ability to undertake an end-to-end design with professional-grade modelling tools that are at zero cost. RS has collaborated with 3D content company TraceParts to
As advances in technology accelerate - why buy when you can hire?
With technology advancing at a remarkable pace customers are finding that the test equipment they use can become obsolete very quickly and with the increasing cost of equipment and the variety of tools needed to maintain or commission installations, it means that capital investment in equipment can prove very expensive.
One solution that is becoming more popular is the hiring of equipment. According to Inlec UK, a leading European Test Equipment specialist, hiring means that there’s no waiting for delivery from the manufacturer - you can try before you buy; you don’t have the worry about maintenance and calibration; hired equipment can come to your aid while your own capital equipment is being repaired, saving unnecessary downtime and finally, and importantly, by hiring you get the latest technology so avoiding an
4 October 2013
expensive obsolescence trap.
Leading companies like Inlec maintain an ongoing programme of investment in best-in-class test and measurement equipment and are able to maintain sufficient levels of stock to guarantee delivery almost immediately, and have a team of technicians in place to offer advice and support. Inlec offer calibration services
accredited to ISO 17025:2005 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the requirements of its ISO 9002 accreditation are also maintained throughout all processes including repair, as well as calibration, or when using associated companies.
Components in Electronics
currently use 3D CAD, and around 1.5 million who do. Those not using it could significantly benefit from a tool such as DesignSpark Mechanical. It will not only enable design engineers to be more creative, but will also be able to support a more efficient product development process, allowing the production of professional concepts right through to delivering highly detailed and dimensioned manufacturing blueprints.
The market is growing significantly and that can be demonstrated by the latest results from Microlease, another test equipment rental and asset management organisation. They recently announced international sales growth of more than 53% per annum over the past two years and with a global inventory of some 6,000 product lines, is able to offer around 30,000 instruments to customers in over 85 countries. The effective
management of test equipment assets to increase operational and financial control is a fast
growing need across industry and is adding real impetus to the rental and leasing
market. “While conditions across
our core markets remain tough, companies like Microlease are continuing to develop their range and reach,” explained George Acris, director of marketing at Microlease Europe.
“Renesas Electronics Europe – and the company as a whole – is well positioned to build on its strengths and further demonstrate its significant value to customers and shareholders,” said Look. “I’m very excited about my new position and the opportunities to drive growth and success for Renesas throughout Europe at the start of a new chapter for the company.”
Hacking shock: Hackers in Germany have claimed to have broken Apple's iPhone 5S Touch ID fingerprint recognition system just days after the phone was launched. The Chaos Computer Club is claiming that it "successfully bypassed the biometric security of Apple's Touch ID using easy everyday means".
According to the group by photographing a fingerprint left on a glass surface and creating a fake finger they were able to unlock the phone. Apple maintains that the Touch ID is secure arguing that there is just a one in 50,000 chance of two separate fingerprints being alike and that the technology provides a “very high level of security".
Acquisition: Molex Incorporated has completed the acquisition of FCT Electronics Group, based in Munich, Germany. FCT Electronics Group specialises in designing and manufacturing custom mixed-layout connectors and cable assemblies. This strategic acquisition is expected to expand the presence of Molex solutions in the global medical electronics, industrial, telecom and aerospace industries.
“FCT Electronics Group is a great fit for Molex because it builds on our ability to provide customised connector and cable assembly solutions to a broader range of customers,” said Tim Ruff, Molex senior vice president of business development and corporate strategy.
www.cieonline.co.uk
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