Delcam adds Parasolid kernel to PowerSHAPE CAD software

The implementation of this technology within PowerSHAPE will give both faster creation of the initial design and much quicker regeneration of the complete design following any modifications. The new release of PowerSHAPE will also provide an extremely flexible method for translating data from other software into the Parasolid format that can be read directly into programs including SolidWorks, Solid Edge and Siemens NX. The new version will offer significant benefits both to designers that undertake conceptual design with PowerSHAPE and to toolmakers that use the software for data translation and tooling design. Solid modelling really comes into its own when moving from creating the core and cavity into building the rest of the tool. The combination of the two technologies is especially important for designers of plastic products and housings. These frequently need surface modelling to create an attractive external shape but require solid modelling to generate the more geometric internal features, such as reinforcing ribs and bosses for fixing. Most of these other components are made up from simpler prismatic shapes and the Parasolid kernel is the acknowledged leader for this type of design work, says Delcam. Full details, including video demonstrations of the new functionality, are available at www.delcam.tv/powershape2010.