Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, has announced the launch of Solid Edge software with Synchronous Technology 2.

This release is the second version of Solid Edge to incorporate Siemens PLM Software’s breakthrough synchronous technology, the first history-free, feature-based modeling capability that serves as a fundamental tool in helping customers react to the market faster.
“We were looking for something very flexible…but also something with the full power of 3D feature modeling for modifying machine components,” said Ben Fune, process engineering manager, American Renolit Corp. “We found the best of both worlds in Solid Edge with synchronous technology.”
Solid Edge is a core component of the Velocity Series portfolio and combines the speed and flexibility of direct modeling with the precise control of dimension-driven design. The latest release extends synchronous technology deeper in the product with improved part and assembly modeling as well as a new sheet metal application. With this release, Siemens PLM Software also announces a new built-in FEA tool and PDM integration leveraging the latest Microsoft SharePoint platforms.
“The Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2 release showcases the expansion of Siemens PLM Software’s groundbreaking synchronous technology into additional part and assembly modeling areas, including intelligent sheet metal design,” said Dr Ken Versprille, PLM Research Director, CPDA. “In our in-depth review done last year, we positioned synchronous technology as a major advance in solids modeling and predicted its positive impact on the industry. This latest release proves us correct based on the strength and robustness it demonstrates as a modeling approach. End user interviews attest to the benefits they have achieved in reducing their design cycle times. The modeling advancements found in Solid Edge, matched with the introduction of a new mid-range FEA application, Solid Edge Simulation, and continued implementation of Solid Edge’s Insight data management tool atop the latest in Microsoft’s SharePoint, offers a win-win scenario for both Solid Edge and its users.”

Synchronised part and assembly modeling
The new release of Solid Edge extends synchronous technology within core part and assembly modeling for complex feature creation and advanced sketch editing tools that reduce overall design time. To improve 2D to 3D data migration, Solid Edge turns 2D dimensions from imported drawings into 3D driving dimensions during model creation, so users can edit 3D designs based on the intent from 2D. In addition, Live Sections can be used to simplify 3D model changes by letting users edit 2D cross sections cut through any part of a 3D model, and update the 3D model in real-time.

New sheet metal design application
Solid Edge now applies synchronous technology to sheet metal design, creating a feature-based, history-free 3D design application for modeling straight brake sheet metal parts.
Sheet metal is the second application to leverage the power of synchronous technology (CAM Express leveraging synchronoyus echnology was first announced last December) and further validates its extensibility. Synchronous technology brings new levels of productivity to the sheet metal environment so users can create models with less pre-planning, make changes with unbounded flexibility, and reuse and edit supplier data more effectively.