D-Cubed’s 3D DCM and CDM Integrated into VMU, a New Virtual Prototyping Application from Landmark Technology

August 2002 – D-Cubed and Landmark Technology announce the integration of D-Cubed's 3D DCM and CDM components into the first release of the VMU mechatronic virtual prototyping application from Landmark Technology.

The 3D Dimensional Constraint Manager and the Collision Detection Manager are used in conjunction with each other to provide an environment for interactive assembly part positioning and kinematic simulation. Commonly used in the same application, the 3D DCM and CDM allow designers to interact with their assembly models with a heightened sense of realism and solidity, eliminating design errors caused by interpenetrating parts.

VMU accelerates the development of the control software, known as the firmware, that drives mechatronic (mechanical/electronic) devices as diverse as industrial robots, DVD players and digital cameras. Development costs are reduced by the early virtual prototyping of the operation of the mechatronic devices, before the later and more costly production of physical prototypes.

The virtual prototyping process begins with the import of a geometric representation of a mechatronic device into VMU from a variety of CAD systems. The 3D DCM is then used to specify the linkages between the moving components, such as robot joints, DVD trays and camera lens focussing systems. The CDM detects collisions on the moving parts, preventing components from being positioned in physically unrealistic interpenetrating configurations.

VMU's model of a mechatronic device is then used in VisualMech, a software development environment for the production of the firmware that drives the mechatronic device. The integration of VMU with VisualMech enables the operation of the firmware on the mechatronic model to be investigated and analysed. Modifications can be made and tested until the desired behaviour is achieved. VisualMech is developed by InterDesign Technologies, a partner of Landmark Technology.

VMU is based on Landmark View, a powerful CAD model visualisation system developed by Landmark Technology. Landmark View supports the review of parts and assemblies in shaded or hidden line mode. Motion can be simulated and animations of assembly and disassembly sequences created. Model measurements can be taken, cross-sections displayed and key areas of the model highlit for further design review. Landmark View is used in many situations, such as design presentations, design reviews and technical document production.

"We have used the 3D DCM and CDM to rapidly and cost effectively add sophisticated motion simulation functionality to VMU," says Takashi Majima, President of Landmark Technology. "The increased sense of realism that D-Cubed's technology brings to the virtual prototyping of mechatronic devices dramatically improves the productivity of our customers".

"Differing from the traditional mechanical CAD systems developed by most of our customers, VMU is a new type of application for D-Cubed's components," says John Owen, Managing Director of D-Cubed. "The functionality of CAD model visualization and virtual prototyping systems can be greatly enhanced through the addition of D-Cubed's sophisticated motion control and physical simulation technology. Landmark Technology are driving forward developments in this exciting new area."

About D-Cubed Ltd.

Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, England, D-Cubed provides software components and technical consulting services to the CAD/CAM/CAE application development industry in all areas of geometric, solid and variational/parametric modeling. Most of the world’s leading CAD vendors have adopted one or more of D-Cubed’s widely respected component technologies for integration into their end-user applications. We have never developed, and do not intend to develop, our own end-user applications. This focus avoids any competitive conflicts of interest with our customers.

www.d-cubed.co.uk 

About Landmark Technology

Founded in 1983 in Tokyo, Japan, Landmark Technology provides a range of advanced CAD model viewing applications for Personal Computers. Based on our established and successful Landmark View CAD model visualisation platform, VMU and LV Inspector are the first in a series of products for improving productivity in a wide spectrum of industries. VMU enables the development and debugging of the firmware that drives mechatronic devices at the earlier, and hence more cost effective, virtual prototyping stage of the hardware design process. LV Inspector reduces costs by identifying errors at an early stage in the mold design process. This is achieved by importing a 3D CAD model of a mold into LV Inspector which can then display the values and variations in wall thickness as a colour gradation, enabling the designer to easily identify any changes that may be required.

Please visit Landmark at www.landmark.co.jp and their firmware design partner InterDesign Technologies at www.interdesigntech.co.jp. Please note these are Japanese language web-sites - for questions and further information in English relating to this press release please send an email to [email protected].

 

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