Astroid Covers the Entire CAD World

New spatial controller device released.

Sydney, Australia - 18 Oct 2005 -- Using Australia as a test market, Spatial Freedom Pty. Ltd has proven its next generation spatial controller - astroid� 6000 - will gain international markets with all major CAD software brands.

Already, more than 100 specialist CAD operators in Australia have committed to the product through advance orders, so Spatial Freedom has increased stocks by 900 units as an initial supply to the world market.

Developed by Spaceball inventor, Mr John Hilton, astroid enters the market at about 60% beneath the cost of similar technology on the global market, and partnership agreements have been made with all major CAD operators.

"We are now software partners with Solid Edge, Dassault's CADIA and Solid Works, NX, Cymatron (Italy), and are finalising arrangements with AutoDesk and the creator of Pro/Engineer, Panametrics Technologies Corporation," said Mr Hilton.

"We have all the main CAD operators covered with product stocks and a global order and supply system."

Spatial controllers provide natural spatial control of 3D images and objects by sensing a light fingertip push and twist applied to a sprung ball sensor. The 3D image or object moves and spins as though gently pushed around by the fingers.

Typically used in the left hand, this natural control improves the user interface. It frees CAD engineers from the need to think about how to move their design and allows them to focus on other design tasks.

The astroid also introduces a new feature called a scroll hat. It acts like a wheel on a computer mouse but adds left/right scrolling. Gently pushing the hat in any 2D direction scrolls the image accordingly. Pushing harder produces faster scrolling. The scroll hat is useful in any application, including office applications, where smooth scrolling is supported.

Mr Dennis Colusso, Director of Product Lifecycle Management (Australasia) plm - a distributor in Australia of Unigraphics NX and Solid Edge CAD software- says the development of the Astroid 6000 has global implications for CAD.

"There are at least 250,000 spatial controllers used by CAD engineers around the world, at such a low price point it makes motion controllers now accessible to many more uses in Product Development process and throughout the whole Product Lifecycle, so the market for this product is immense", said Mr Colusso.

"Designed in Australia, the Astroid 6000 is a world class product that is a significant evolution of the well respected Spaceball series of products and technologies.

Current users of spatial controllers include aerospace and automotive companies such as Airbus, Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Ford and General Motors to name a few.

Living up to its name, the Spaceball was used by Jet Propulsion Labs as the first interplanetary controller when it was used to direct the Mars Rovers.

Spatial Freedom is a leading developer and manufacturer of spatial controllers. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

plm markets, sells, implements and supports software technologies and related services that improve its customers' 'product development' and product lifecycle management capabilities.

It is the only company in Australia and New Zealand capable of providing the complete set of PLM solutions needed to turn your product lifecycle processes into a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage.

www.spatialfreedom.com

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