Siemens Rewrites History

Siemens Rewrites History

Over the years there have only been a few disruptive moments in the design software world.

  1. 2D CAD systems: 1974 mainstream (1957)
  2. Desktop computing using Windows NT: 1993 mainstream for CAD
  3. 3D solid modeling using NURBS: 1989
  4. Parametric modeling: 1987
  5. Synchronous technology: 2008 released inside Solid Edge ST1
  6. Cloud computing: 2000 mainstream 2006 (Amazon), 2008 (Google), 2010 (Microsoft Azure)

Designers and engineers of all ages have experienced at least one of these disrupters. Some might have experienced 3 out of 6. Fewer have experienced 5 out of the 6 and, still, fewer all 6. In the 5th spot is synchronous technology, one disrupter that readers might not have experienced. That’s too bad. All designers and engineers should experience synchronous technology to understand its effect on the design process.
Synchronous technology does more than rewrite history. It removes it!
No need to fear!

Synchronous technology is still parametric.

You still have:

  • Control of your design
  • Features known as procedural features
  • Geometric relationships
  • Dimension driven geometry - 3D geometry not the legacy 2D sketch elements

Synchronous technology removes the burdens of the past.

You don’t:

  • Require a linear history tree
  • Have to preplan your design
  • Continually repeat the rebuild cycles
  • Have the parent-child relationships that can limit your design ability on complex models
  • Rely on 2D sketch geometry to control your 3D geometry

Unexpected benefits of synchronous technology.

  • You have complete control of how your geometry updates (I.e. which direction you want a face to move. Think of a hole driving the side of plate. Not the side of the plate locating the hole.)
  • Apply parametrics directly to imported models without a need for a “feature recognition” utility that attempts to create a linear history-tree
  • Make changes directly to faces while other faces move according to your requirements
  • Easily create simplified models for analysis tools.
  • Reduces the risks associated with changing CAD systems.

Why is synchronous technology a disrupter?

A history tree is a limitation of hardware of the 1980s- both UNIX and PC-based hardware.

History trees were used to breakdown a 3D model into easily digestible “bytes” for CPUs to handle. In order to build 3D geometry, older systems required the 3D definition be driven by a 2D section/region known as “sketch.” This process builds a parent-child relationship that requires management.

In order to change your 3D geometry, you continually have to revert back “in time” to the 2D sketch element to make your changes. Those are legacy requirements of the original desktop computing hardware that truly have no place today. Why hold on to processes based on outdated requirements?

Synchronous technology allows designers and engineers of the 21st century to:

  • Accelerate design cycles for more time to innovate
  • Make faster revisions to designs for quicker time to market
  • Reduce overall engineering costs associated to product development

What makes up synchronous technology?

Today, Siemens provides the core technologies for a majority of the CAD systems on the market, but synchronous technology is exclusive to Siemens PL products like Solid Edge and NX. It is based on the same core tools like Parasolid™ and D-Cubed™ solvers, but synchronous technology includes multiple technology patents. There are currently 8 patents and 24 more patents pending that represent the heart of synchronous technology. Take a look at our videos on synchronous technology to see how design process can be streamlined and free of the 1980s design process. Rewrite your own history using synchronous technology.