Vero Software, a leading provider of CAD/CAM/CAE solutions for the tooling industry, are pleased to announce the latest release of its flagship product VISI 17. The latest developments see further emphasis on end-user productivity in all areas of the product.

The system graphics have been dramatically improved after major development collaboration with both AMD and Nvidia. The use of VBO's (vertex buffer objects) on the ATI FirePro and Nvidia GeForce graphics boards have returned exceptional software gains. In benchmark testing, results have shown the frame-per-second (FPS) rate jump from 5.5 > 146.2 for a 70MB dataset and 9.9 > 238.1 for a 118MB dataset.

CAD enhancements include model thickness analysis which allows the user to quickly identify the thickest and thinnest areas of the model and help validate the model integrity, highlighting any potential areas that may cause internal voids, surface sink marks, unpredictable shrink rates and ultimately, longer cycle times.

Further developments include intelligent body/face mating, improved annotation, updated printing and numerous improvements to the management of drawing files. One of the more significant is the ability to import pages from other work files and re-build the link between the solid geometry. This allows multiple users to share the same 3D design with each designer creating their own drawing pages - adding views, sections, annotations, balloons etc on separate workstations. When the pages have been completed, they can be loaded back into the master file and all links to the original 3D data are reconnected.

CAM developments include enhancements to geometry feature recognition with the ability to recognise complex and simple holes on both solid & surface models. The feature recognition has also been extended to recognise features from a predefined direction and find features within a localised user-defined region.

The separation of passes & linking will dramatically increase productivity and reduce calculation time. The user will now be able to inspect the toolpath quality before building the HSM linking movements. Continued development on the CAM engine have produced time saving results of over 80% reduction in calculation time for combined waterline, 30% reduction for rest machining and over 15% reduction for raster clearance. Incremental stock, automatic toolpath tilting and further improvements to multi axis machining guarantees another step forward for Vero's innovative CAM solution.

VISI Flow has been further developed with the emphasis placed on the continued integration of plastic flow technology into a real CAD environment. VISI Flow uses a patented hexahedral hybrid mesh technology to provide accurate results with analyses run directly from the CAD model. Benefits include limited or no model preparation and the inclusion of feeding and cooling channels to the calculation. Importantly, the channel definition includes both geometrical and thermal proprieties. Along with gas-assist, sequential, and co-injection moulding simulations, VISI Flow also offers simulation for over-moulding and cross-linking polymers including liquid silicone rubbers.

VISI Mould also benefits from the VISI Flow integration with the inclusion of a combined material database containing over 7,000 materials. Model shrinkage, based on material and other flow properties are automatically attached to the model ready for filling simulation. A new tool for the design of runners and gates provides the user with an interactive method to construct the injection circuit. The designer can select the type of gate from a parametric library and trace the channel sequence back to the sprue bush or hot runner with the result automatically validated for plastic flow analysis.

VISI Progress, a dedicated solution for the metal stamping industry has been updated with focussed development on complex multi-step forming for deep drawing components - based on both analytic and FEA solvers. 3D strip construction has also been improved with the ability to parametrically modify the strip layout parameters (step, strip width), so that the system will automatically update the previously constructed punch geometry and rebuild the strip. This additional functionality provides the user with the freedom to simulate and understand live changes to the strip layout.

A new collaboration with CADENAS, the largest external library of 3D standard components will benefit both VISI Progress and VISI Mould users. CADENAS PARTsolutions has over 500 library suppliers, covering thousands of components for multiple market sectors. The integration of CADENAS PARTsolutions into VISI17 will enable tool makers to shorten design times by providing access to readily available standard components for their mould or die assemblies.

About Vero
Headquartered in England, Vero Software designs, develops, and supplies CAD/CAM/CAE software that radically enhances the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes. It is a leading supplier within key sectors of the CAD/CAM/CAE industry such as plastic injection moulds and progressive dies, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market. Vero is represented in over 40 countries by more than 80 distributors. In addition to its extensive dealer network, it has its own direct sales operations in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, China, and Japan. The company has more than 24,000 seats installed worldwide.

Issued by Vero UK Limited
E-mail: marc@vero.co.uk
www.vero-software.com