IBM and Dassault Systemes launch CATIA Version 5 For Windows NT and UNIX environments

Citation

(1999), "IBM and Dassault Systemes launch CATIA Version 5 For Windows NT and UNIX environments", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771bab.001

IBM and Dassault Systemes launch CATIA Version 5 For Windows NT and UNIX environments

IBM and Dassault Systemes launch CATIA Version 5 For Windows NT and UNIX environments

Keywords CAD/CAM, CATIA, Software

IBM and Dassault Systèmes announce CATIA Version 5, a re-engineered, next generation computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering solution for both native Microsoft Windows NT and UNIX platforms.

With CATIA Version 5, customers get a platform independent solution that addresses the needs of any size company and across the extended enterprise. With the same data, functions, delivery, environment and support across all supported hardware platforms, Version 5 helps ensure maximum collaboration among all participants in the design and engineering process.

CATIA Version 5 claims to deliver breakthrough applications, which are scalable to all levels of design complexity and CAD/CAM experience. Occasional users, with limited training, will find the Windows interface helps make them rapidly productive. Dedicated and sophisticated users can use highly optimised knowledge and process-based applications. With CATIA Version 5, customers can start at any level and grow as their business requires. Customers will reportedly find CATIA Version 5 easy to install and learn and as fun and natural to use as if the shapes and models were physically in their hands.

Customers can capture and re-use engineering knowledge and leverage it to implement generative, rule-based product development processes. As a result, CATIA Version 5 acts as an expert advisor, guiding customers through product development tasks and warning of possible mistakes or conflicts.

Its innovative applications are built using leading-edge standards, methodologies and capabilities, such as C + +, Java, CORBA object oriented programming, STEP and direct visualisations. Its native OLE and Internet/intranet Web compliance facilitates e-business digital integration within the office and throughout the extended enterprise.

Existing CATIA Version 4 customers benefit from compatibility with CATIA Version 5 allowing both systems to work together. This highly flexible approach provides a natural progression for existing customers, allowing them to plan their implementation to suit business needs. CATIA Version 5 product portfolio will be introduced over time, like Version 4 whose phased introduction was highly successful. Meanwhile, CATIA Version 4 will continue to be sold, supported and enhanced to provide significant increases in capability to maintain it as the best CAD/CAM/CAE solution for the UNIX environment until surpassed by CATIA Version 5.

"Together with CATIA Solutions Version 4, CATIA on the Web and the ENOVIA Product Development Management (PDMII) product lines, CATIA Version 5 is positioned as the leading 'process-centric' system to support customers' end-to-end needs", explained Bernard Charles, president of Dassault Systèmes.

He continued: "CATIA Version 5 is a milestone in the continuing evolution of our vision for the digital enterprise to deliver e-business solutions where all aspects of the product development process can be simulated and communicated digitally through engineering and non-engineering populations within the enterprise, including suppliers."

The Michelin Tyre Company has chosen CATIA Solutions Version 5 as a strategic solution to design, simulate and manufacture its tyres. A spokesperson for the Michelin Tyre Company said: "We plan to use the CATIA technological platform to renovate our current CAD/CAM/CAE applications in-depth, based on a heterogeneous set of programs and specific applications developed in-house. We are depending on CATIA's functions and on the openness of its architecture and the ongoing relationship with Dassault Systèmes and IBM to provide the tyre design/simulation/manufacturing process with state-of-the-art tools using all the power of parametrization and associativity. This will enable us to progress towards virtual prototyping and simultaneous engineering".

Ulrich Sendler, a European CAD/CAM industry analyst, adds: "CATIA Version 5 implements new generation technologies that most competing companies are still evaluating."

IBM and Dassault Systèmes are making CATIA Version 5 available to a selected number of customers around the world in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and machinery. This advanced programme will ensure the first set of customers can implement these new applications efficiently with the required level of support.

Following successful implementation, IBM and Dassault Systèmes will announce general availability ordering information, terms and conditions and prices.

"The real issue customers face is operating in a world where NT and UNIX are used by different companies in the product development pipeline. They need to integrate product data from different environments, plus office and other applications. The advanced programme will help ensure this integration is efficient", said Frank Lerchenmueller, vice president of IBM's worldwide Engineering Solutions unit. "The launch of CATIA Version 5 with its platform independence means IBM is the only vendor that offers CAD/CAM/CAE customers a full choice of e-business solutions, service and support and a proven track-record to put it together and make customers more competitive."

The first release of CATIA Version 5 delivers intuitive part and assembly modeling. Generative Drafting automatically creates associative drawings from 3D mechanical designs and assemblies. The Real-time Rendering application produces photo-realistic images through the use of technological material textures. The Knowledge Advisor combines the power of explicit rules, which define product behavior, with interactive capture of design intent as the design is being built. It assists in making correct decisions and reaching optimum, error-free designs in less time.

CATIA Version 5 also provides easy-to-use, designer-oriented part stress and model analysis for early part pre-validation. Generative Part Structural Analysis brings to the designer the power of finite element analysis pre-validation. With the advanced Smart Shape Designer tools, designers can quickly create innovative, free-form shape design deformation. Advanced function extends the shape and surface modeling functions to morphing complex, multi-surface shapes.

Other innovative functions in the CATIA Version 5 Navigation application lets reviewers "fly through" 3D digital mock-ups for thorough inspection. Regardless of the mockup design size, Space Analysis can accomplish high-speed interference checking computations, measurement and real-time section viewing. The Fitting Simulation application simulates mounting and dismounting operations for prevalidation during design of assembly and maintenance procedures.

Further details can be obtained from IBM Europe. Tel: +44 (0) 1179 295 983; E-mail: smitm13@uk.ibm.com