frank@zen.co.uk (Frank Wales) (02/10/89)
[I tried mailing directly and it got bounced, so...] In comp.software-eng, mic@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu writes: >I have been given the task of putting together a CAD system. At first (the >first 6 to 9 months) it will be mainly used for drafting. After that >I would like to be able to begin using the system to perform finite element >analysis. In the future I would also like to be able to add features such >as tool path generation an NC/CNC programing to this system. It is also >important that I can easily generate several distinct but similar drawings >from one model drawing (I beleive a common term for this is parametric design, >but I haven't a clue to why it is called parametric design). > >I would like to start out with one or two workstations, and then be able >to add more (2 to 5) within the next year and a half. > >I have an curently am looking at several mini and micro based systems, and >I would appreciate any comments on any system (software and or hardware) >that is availible. > >If you do have any information on the aprox. prices of the system you >comment on I would apreciate that also. Here at Zengrange, we have been using Hewlett-Packard workstations and HP proprietory drawing software (ME-10) for about two years now, and we are very happy with all aspects of the product and its support. The software is easy to use and reliable, the hardware is very reliable (current uptimes on the drawing machines are almost 100 days), and HP's support of both software and hardware has been very good, with no outstanding problems. We are currently in the process of upgrading to ME-30, a 3D modelling package of which ME-10 is a complete subset -- this can make use of special solid rendering hardware to allow manipulation of shaded images of finished parts at interactive or near-interactive speeds. Although we currently do not perform FE analysis, I believe an ME-FE package is available as an extension of the product. We have successfully interchanged data with other makers' CAD/CAM products via an IGES translator (optional extra), and we are considering whether NC tooling would be of use to us in the future (I am not sure of HP's offerings here). ME-10 is a fully customisable package (you can reorganise the screen, menu and tablet layouts, and add commands via a macro facility with a language similar to BASIC). In addition, a major new release, due to be shipped mid-March, provides a number of new facilities, including rubber-band dimensioning information for when you enter this on your drawings (it's really cute ;-)), variation modelling (which is HP's buzzphrase for parametric design -- this is already supported via macro-writing, but HP have automated the process in the new release), and the ME-Data Management System, which interfaces the ME- products to an SQL database for drawing storage and retrieval, and integrates revision control, authorisation and archiving of drawings and drawing-related information with a simple, menu-driven interface within the drawing products themselves. It's a very impressive set of new features, and it will be worth your time speaking to HP about them. ME-10 already runs discless across LAN, and X-window support and readonly viewing of drawing information (for a production engineer to obtain dimensions, for example) will also be in the new products. Pricing of ME-10 is about $5000 (I think), with series 300 workstations starting at about $4000 up to superworkstations at $.* . ME-10 will also run on high-end PCs ('386 based under DOS) within a month or so. ME-30 upgrade from ME-10 is about $7000. ME-DBS adds about $8000 if you have no database already, less if you do (only guaranteed to work with HP Allbase so far, but Oracle and Informix compatibility is in the plans). The "abouts" are because I'm in the U.K., and don't know dollar prices. Summing up, I can recommend HP design office products without reservation, and I would encourage you to look at them closely. [I don't work for HP -- I just use their kit a lot.] -- Frank Wales, Systems Manager, [frank@zen.co.uk<->mcvax!zen.co.uk!frank] Zengrange Ltd., Greenfield Rd., Leeds, ENGLAND, LS9 8DB. (+44) 532 489048 x217