MCADCafe Editorial 
Jeff Rowe
Jeffrey Rowe has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. On the publishing side, he has written over 1,000 articles for CAD, CAM, CAE, and other technical publications, as well as consulting in many capacities in the design … More » MCADCafe Weekly (10/4/2012): Autodesk Acquiring HSMWorks CAM TechnologyOctober 4th, 2012 by Jeff Rowe
Autodesk has acquired certain assets of HSMWorks Aps, a developer of computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software. Through the acquisition of the HSMWorks technology, Autodesk will add software to control machine tools and related machinery to its portfolio of software for manufacturing. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “The acquisition of the HSMWorks technology brings machining expertise and next-generation CAM technology to the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of manufacturing software,” said Buzz Kross, Autodesk senior vice president, design, simulation and lifecycle products. “Autodesk has a long history of making design and engineering technology more accessible, and we look forward to bringing HSMWorks’ CAM technology to a broader group of users.” Autodesk intends to integrate the HSMWorks technology with its industry leading software and cloud services for manufacturing, and will make current HSMWorks products available for purchase and HSMXpress available as a free download. Existing SolidWorks customers using HSMWorks will continue to receive support and product updates. HSMWorks Aps is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Commentary By Jeffrey Rowe, Editor Over the years I’ve seen CAD/CAM/CAE customers blindsided by vendors, but this acquisition may well take the cake. It was announced on October 1, but when I went to the HSMWorks website on October 3 to look for some background company information, the only information available was about Autodesk. That was quick. I talked briefly with Noah Cole, Autodesk Corporate PR, on the acquisition. I asked him about what Autodesk actually acquired when the press release says “certain assets.” Cole said that specifically what Autodesk acquired were the HSMWorks technology and development team. When asked who within Autodesk would head up HSMWorks going forward, Cole said that was still being decided and that no organizational structure had been announced yet. I think the biggest consequence of this acquisition is what happens to SolidWorks customers who have HSMWorks as an integral part of their businesses? After all, until a few days ago, HSMWorks was a SolidWorks Partner, and a Gold Partner at that, but no more. Keep in mind, though, DS SolidWorks is the “decider” when it comes to partner status. How about these sentences, though, from the HSMWorks website: “Autodesk HSMWorks is designed from the ground up to work inside SolidWorks, providing a logical extension of the parametric SolidWorks assembly environment into the CAM world. Experienced SolidWorks users will feel right at home working with Autodesk HSMWorks and will be able to create high-quality toolpaths within minutes.” Takes a little getting used to seeing Autodesk and SolidWorks in the same sentence. The HSMWorks website also includes something I thought I’d never see in the graphic below:
The question has to be asked, how long will Autodesk continue to support HSMWorks for SolidWorks once it is integrated into Inventor? I’m sure both SolidWorks and HSMWorks customers would love to know the answer to this question. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great acquisition for Autodesk, but you have to wonder, did Dassault Systemes SolidWorks have the opportunity to make the acquisition? With HSMWorks being a SolidWorks Gold Partner, DS had to have known that the company was in play. Did they choose not to act? And if so, why? The following is from Tom Mortenson, an HSMWorks insider on the “official” Autodesk HSMWorks forum: “What happens to HSMWorks? Aside from the obvious name change, nothing. The product will continue under the new name, Autodesk HSMWorks, but the technology remains the same. Will Autodesk HSMWorks continue to be developed and Will I Get Updates? Yes, and yes. Autodesk HSMWorks will continue to be developed and we will continue to release updates. Autodesk HSMWorks 2012 R5 is now available and supports SolidWorks 2013. Autodesk HSMWorks 2013 will be released in the near future. Will you be able to purchase new licenses? Yes. Autodesk HSMWorks represents the very best of integrated of CAM for SolidWorks and there are no intentions of discontinuing the product. What about support? Support will continue through the existing channel of resellers, email (support@hsmworks.com), and the Autodesk HSMWorks forum (forum.hsmworks.com). What are Autodesk’s plans for the HSMWorks technology? Autodesk intends to integrate HSMWorks technology into the Autodesk portfolio of software, suites, and cloud services for manufacturing. Does this mean that HSMWorks technology will be integrated with Autodesk Inventor, similar to its current integration with SolidWorks? Autodesk is not providing specific details of future product plans at this time. The intention is to leverage the HSMWorks technology across their entire manufacturing portfolio.” However, all may not be lost. While they were rebranded with the Autodesk name, the company still sells and supports applications such as Moldflow, T-Splines, and Algor to users of CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, and SolidWorks, etc. Will that be the case with Autodesk HSMWorks? There’s no way of telling, but that might just end up being the case. I guess a more unsettling aspect of the acquisition is that reseller contracts with HSMWorks have been discontinued effective immediately that will provide product support only through October 31, 2012. What happens after that, especially with contracts that are still in force? Will this latest acquisition by a competitor be reason for some customers to jump ship to a completely new CAD platform? A few might, but I suspect relatively few. However, I suspect a larger number of current HSMWorks customers will be shopping for standalone CAM alternatives, but might include an associated CAD alternative, as well. So, the march of CAD/CAM acquisitions and market consolidation goes on. Is this necessarily a bad thing? That all depends which side of the fence you’re on. Could this be a good thing? That depends on how Autodesk decides to treat current HSMWorks users – continue to support SolidWorks users for a steady income stream or discontinue support and force the hand of current users to make major decisions about CAD and CAM software. That’s all in Autodesk’s hands now.
The Week’s Top 5At MCADCafé we track many things, including the stories that have attracted the most interest from our subscribers. Below are the five news items that were the most viewed during last week. MSC Software Acquires UCL Spin-off e-Xstream MSC Software has acquired e-Xstream engineering, a spin-off of the Division of Applied Mechanics at the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), renowned for multi-scale simulation. e-Xstream’s software platform, Digimat, is the reference solution for manufacturers and research scientists allowing them to design high performance composite materials more quickly and at lower cost by means of an accurate and reliable computational approach. The cplatform for modeling composite materials developed by e-Xstream offers advanced technology to materials suppliers, automotive and aerospace industries, and consumer product manufacturers as a way to innovate and reduce cost. Digimat multi-scale simulations can predict the physical behavior of a composite material from numerical simulations, the properties of its constituents, and the morphology of its microstructure. Rapidform XOV Adds New Probe-Based Measurement and Speeds Up Inspection INUS Technology released a new version of its inspection software, Rapidform XOV3. With this release, Rapidform XOV becomes a full-fledged contact inspection platform, with support for every major portable CMM device on the market. The completely new LiveInspect system, unique to Rapidform XOV, offers an automatic measurement guide that makes inspecting parts with a probe easy. After defining dimensions and tolerances on a nominal model, the software guides the operator how to measure a part and then generates a report automatically. Calculations are up to 10x faster than before, making the process of aligning, deviation analysis and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) faster. XOV is also the only native point cloud software with in-depth GD&T support for every callout in the ASME Y14.5 standard. Highlights of the 50+ enhancements include:
iPhone-Controlled Robots Could be the Future of Manufacturing Industry As Quantum International works to deliver robotics innovations to customers, the market is trending toward smaller, more user-friendly robots designed to work alongside humans—not replace them. “Small manufacturers are the future for industrial robotics,” said Quantum CEO Robert Federowicz. “We’re exploring the development of smaller, safer assembly line robots that you won’t need a hard hat to get near. Smartphones and tablets like the Apple iPad could provide the ideal interface for these new machines.” This more affordable, more flexible generation of robots could help bring more manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., eliminating the need to outsource complex, repetitive tasks in the manufacture of electronics such as smartphones and laptops to countries with low wages. “The next generation of industrial robots will be closer to iRobot’s Roomba than the one-armed giants welding cars together today,” Federowicz said. PTC Completes Acquisition of Servigistics PTC has completed its previously-announced acquisition of Servigistics, developer of a suite of service lifecycle management (SLM) software solutions. The combination of the two companies firmly establishes PTC’s market presence in SLM by positioning PTC with the most comprehensive “system for service” in the industry. By adding Servigistics, PTC is now fully able to help global manufacturers service those same products. From a technology perspective, PTC’s SLM solution portfolio is now covers technical information, service knowledge management, service parts management, warranty and contract management, field service management, and service logistics. With its comprehensive SLM capabilities, PTC is now positioned to help discrete manufacturers transform their service strategies and operations into a true source of sustainable competitive edge – what PTC describes as “service advantage.” Stratasys and Objet Provide Update on Merger Closing Stratasys and Objet Ltd. announced that the closing of their pending merger will not occur during the third quarter as previously announced, as the process under the Defense Production Act of 1950 is not yet complete. The statutory period for completion of the process under the Act has extended beyond the end of the third quarter. Stratasys and Objet expect a conclusion in the fourth quarter. Since the parties did not close the merger by the end of the third quarter, Stratasys and Objet have agreed to amend their merger agreement to extend the end date under the merger agreement to October 19, 2012. Under the merger agreement as amended, either party can terminate the merger agreement if the merger is not completed on or before that date. As announced on April 16, 2012, Stratasys and Objet entered into a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined equity value of approximately $1.4 billion, based upon the closing price of Stratasys’ common stock on April 13, 2012. The transaction has received HSR approval and also been approved by Stratasys stockholders. Jeffrey Rowe is the editor of MCADCafé and MCAD Weekly Review. He can be reached at jeff@ibsystems.com or 719.221.1867. This WeekLead StoryAutodesk Acquires HSMWorks Technology Product and Company NewsCIMdata Publishes “CAD Selection Considerations: Complex Geometry” Hardware Review: BOXX Technologies GoBOXX G1840 Industrial Espionage and PLM Security (The PLM Insider Blog) Autodesk and Jitterbit Partner to Increase Access to Vital Product Lifecycle Management Data ThinkDesign Product Suite Built with HOOPS Exchange and HOOPS Publish SpaceClaim and First Trace Announce Integration of SpaceClaim Engineer and Kinnosa The Foundry and Luxology Join Forces CT Core Technologie offers free 3D visualization tool Comet Solutions Expands Its Presence in China CAD Automation App Reduces Quoting Time by 30% MSC Software Acquires Composite Material Simulation Leader e-Xstream GPI Prototype Announces Addition of Third Direct Metal Laser Sintering Machine Acacia Subsidiary Acquires Patents for Product Lifecycle Management Technology CIMdata Publishes “Beyond Simulation Data Management” Siemens Introduces Environmental Impact Calculator GstarCAD MC PRO Officially Released, Directly Transmit and Convert Drawings between Mobile Devices Delcam adds more milling options for FeatureCAM QUAN: Cutting-edge Robotics Allow Users to Be in 2 Places at Once ANSYS Listed On Software 500 Index For Sixth Consecutive Year Rapid Sheet Metal Inc Boosts Sales Coverage for Prototype Services Speakers Announced for Aberdeen Group 2012 Manufacturing Industry Summit Alphacam Keeps Amorini Production Shining NASA Selects Contract For Aerospace Modeling And Simulation CDS Catalog and CAD Download Solution Selected by UC Components TransMagic Releases MagicCheck for 3D Geometry Comparison Canvas 14 CAD Software Released Vero Strengthens Online Presence Lantek increases its turnover by 8.3% in the first half of 2012 Digital Manufacturing Software Market in the APAC Region 2011-2015 Applied Instrument Technologies Deploys SofTech’s ProductCenter PLM CDS Catalog and CAD Download Solution Launched by Brennan Industries ZWCAD+ Launch: New Core. New Possibilities. Computer-aided Engineering Software Market in China 2011-2015 Hexagon Metrology Releases High Precision Scanning Probe Head PLMIG issues the PLM-ERP 10-Year Challenge Research and Markets: Computer-aided Engineering Software Market in India 2011-2015 CMTC Adds New Position to Stimulate Manufacturing Growth Edison Nation and Stratasys Partner for Ninth Annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge Paragon Medical adopts NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS to drive machining simulation process Day2Night Uses SolidWorks Software to Bring Convertible Heels to Market (FISHER/UNITECH) All Formtek Software Products Now Available for the Alfresco 4 ECM Platform Solutions for Repairing Defective STL Files ITRI And SoftInWay Collaborated To Develop A Next Generation ORC Turbine Autodesk Product Design Suite Helps Position Turkish Auto Company for Global Success Handling complex CAD assemblies with filtering tools of Kisters 3DViewStation V11.3 Latest Javelin Targets Time-Saving and Efficiency (Vero Software) Hydrocontrol SpA of Italy Implements Aras PLM Solution Suite Computer Aided Design Market in China 2011-2015 Research and Markets: Up and Running with AutoCAD 2012: Edition No. 2 Hawk Ridge Systems Adds CAMWorks to CAD/CAM Portfolio Computer-aided Engineering Software Market in India 2011-2015 EOS and IMDS Join Forces to Create Breakthrough Medical Products Hand-Tied to Profitability – Conducting CFD During Product Development in a Tough Economy Related MCAD NewsFrost & Sullivan: Sourcing Collaboration in the Cloud Automotive Manufacturing – Top 5 Emerging Markets Industry Guide Ball Aerospace Ships First James Webb Space Telescope Mirrors to NASA Aerospace Composites Market Worth $10.3 Billion in 2012 Mazor Robotics Announces Humble Surgical Hospital Acquires Renaissance System Corporate MovesStephen Bodnar Joins Kenesto as Vice President, Products and Marketing Roland DGA Announces Two New Appointments and a Promotion Visteon Corporation Names Timothy D. Leuliette CEO and President aPriori Appoints Eric Sockol as New Chief Financial Officer Industry EventsMCADCafe Awards an Amazon Kindle to Lucky IMTS Attendee Talk to Truman Du, CEO of ZWSOFT IMTS 2012 Video Interview: Kubotek’s KeyCreator 2012 Delivers a Complete CAD, FEA, and CAM Solution See a ‘Sneak Peak’ of SolidCAM’s all new 3D iMachining! Mcor to Demonstrate Matrix Technology and More at Tct Live 2012 Delcam celebrates record visitor numbers at IMTS IMTS 2012 Video Interview: Delcam celebrates record visitor numbers at IMTS OPEN MIND Debuted hyperMILL 2012 at IMTS Geometric showcases the futuristic CAMWorks(r) 2013 at IMTS 2012 ZW3D Webinars Enlightened Users Successful 1st semester results for Missler Software On Demand Webinar: Engineering Simulation for Designing Better Products Faster (ANSYS) SoftInWay to Exhibit at Turbomachinery Symposium BobCAD-CAM Demonstrates Ground Breaking Milling Software Advancements at IMTS 2012 Video Interview: BobCAD-CAM Demonstrates Ground Breaking Milling Software Advancements at IMTS 2012 Video Press Release: Geometric showcases the futuristic CAMWorks 2013 at IMTS 2012 PLM-ERP Atlanta Workshop will formalise American best practice GibbsCAM 2012+ on show at BI-MU, Italy Lantek brings its most powerful sheet metal software solutions to EuroBLECH 2012 Camstar Launches Global Manufacturing Workshop and Plant Tour Series SCHOTT SYSTEME GmbH Witness Increased Demand for CAD/CAM at AMB CimatronE 11 to be Previewed at BI-MU, Italy Webinar: Live 3D iMachining – A Sneak Peek of SolidCAM’s all new 3D iMachining (Oct. 10, 2012) ASCON Presents KOMPAS-3D V13 at AMB 2012 in Germany Successfully Engineering Simulation for Designing Better Products Faster (ANSYS Webinar – 9/26/12) SoftInWay Hosts a Free Webinar called Green energy – Turbomachinery for ORC Webinar: Flexibly Milling with 2D Geometry (ZW3D) Delcam to show integrated electrode solution at Euromold Radan to Highlight WebQuoting and Bending at EuroBLECH 3D3 Solutions Introduces the HDI Blitz 3D Scanner at TCT Live 2012 Delcam to show new DentMILL dental milling software at Dentech China Dassault Systèmes Announces New Capabilities for Five Key GEOVIA Mining Applications at MINExpo 2012 Corporate NewslettersHawk Ridge Systems Newsletter – September 2012 |
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