Looking for a reliable platform to perform complex calculations and solve problems with the utmost precision and transparency? Meet your perfect workflow companion. With PTC Mathcad Prime 9, engineers can seamlessly integrate calculations into their workflow, capturing crucial assumptions and decisions every step of the way. Because making it easier to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders ensures complete transparency for better designs.
PTC Mathcad Prime 9 delivers numerous productivity and functionality enhancements. As with the previous release of Mathcad Prime 8, PTC continues to invest in the math engineering notebook software. PTC showcased some of the new functionality as part of the 2022 Mathcad Virtual Conference. Of note were demos of text styles coming to Mathcad Prime 9, but the new features don’t stop there.
In case you missed it, PTC hosted a webinar on April 4, 2023. In the webinar replay, Andy McGough, PTC’s Mathcad Product Manager, provided demos and commentary on the new functionalities, an update on the PTC Mathcad Prime development roadmap, and answered questions.
The software has been improved with new features such as enhanced geometry processing capabilities and new support for 3D modeling tools such as sketching, drawing, assembly design, and drafting (including 2D drawings).
In addition, PTC Mathcad Prime 9 offers an expanded library of functions for solving specific problems in mechanical engineering applications such as Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Analysis.
Mathcad Prime 9 New Features
The user interface has been redesigned. Now, engineers without any programming experience can create their own custom applications using PTC Mathcad Prime 9’s visual programming environment, also known as PTC Creo Elements/Pro.
Text Styles
Use text styles for all elements of the document, including equations and cell comments. This feature makes it easier to apply formatting consistently throughout documents.
Mathcad Prime 9 Internal Hyperlinks
As of the new release, you can create internal hyperlinks between cells or equations within Mathcad Prime documents by typing in the link text followed by an exclamation mark (!). When you hover over these links with your cursor, they will turn into live links that automatically open when clicked. For example: “!Cell 1”.
Internal Links are a game-changer when it comes to document navigation. They allow users to easily connect notes and calculations across worksheets. Reference important information with minimal effort. Say goodbye to tedious scrolling and searching!
Go-to Page
With the new Go-to Page feature, finding a specific page within a lengthy document has never been easier. Jump directly to a desired page, saving valuable time and effort. No more endlessly clicking through pages!
Current Page Tooltip
The Current Page Tooltip provides an easy tool for instant reference. It displays the current page number as you scroll through the document, allowing you to keep track of your progress effortlessly. Stay organized and never lose your place again!
Enhanced Color Selection Menus
Color selection menus have been enhanced in PTC Mathcad Prime 9. Now, you can select from a wide range of pre-set colors, as well as utilize a custom color picker. Whether you want to highlight specific sections, make equations or plots stand out, or simply add visual appeal, this feature allows you to choose the perfect color for the job.
Quick Text
Mathcad Prime 9 introduces a convenient feature that allows users to convert a new region from the default math region to a textbox by simply pressing the spacebar and eliminates the need to manually click on a text box to input text into a worksheet. This enhancement provides a more seamless and efficient way to incorporate text into your calculations and explanations. By utilizing this keyboard shortcut, users can save time and streamline their workflow. No more wasted time on numerous mouse clicks!
With these new enhancements, PTC Mathcad Prime 9 offers improved document navigation and customization options. You can now easily find what you’re looking for.
IMPROVED MATHCAD FUNCTIONS
PTC Mathcad Prime 9 has a new Symbolic Engine that delivers improved performance and new functions. This includes faster symbolic calculations, new functions such as trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, and more operators available to work with expressions. New logarithmic integral functions and elliptic integral functions have also been added.
Mathcad Prime 9’s Solve Block
PTC updated the Solve Block, which now expands the range of solvable problems. The pdesolve function is now available in the Solve Block. The function makes it easy to resolve equations and inequalities with multiple variables. You can also use this new feature to find solutions for single-variable problems by setting all other variables equal to zero. This allows you to solve for any variable that is not explicitly given as a constraint or independent variable.
Additionally, inside a Solve Block, users can now use the find function to symbolically solve a system of equations.
Symbolic Calculations, Functions & Solutions
Calculus operators, such as derivatives, limits, integrals, and summations, have been enhanced for symbolic calculations and can be applied to a wider range of scenarios.
The functionality and utility of various symbolic keywords and functions have been expanded. For instance, the assume keyword enables users to specify assumptions about the result of a function.
Symbolic solutions for Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) are now supported, allowing users to solve first-order ODEs and higher-order ODEs that can be reduced to first-order systems.
The Gradient Operator calculates the gradient of a Scalar Function by providing both numerical and symbolic solutions.
Upgrade to Mathcad Prime 9
PTC Mathcad Prime 9 allows you to perform mathematical calculations faster and easier than ever while retaining the flexibility needed to handle complex models.
The latest updates bring a wide range of enhancements to the platform’s productivity and functionality. As a result, Mathcad Prime 9 continues to empower users to solve, analyze, document, and share all their engineering calculations quickly and accurately.
Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or a novice, these new features ensure seamless and efficient workflows. As a result, companies can boost engineering productivity and create more innovative products.
Ready to upgrade to PTC Mathcad Prime 9 and experience these features for yourself? Talk to an EAC expert to continue the conversation or schedule a demo to learn more.
Attention engineers! There’s an easier way to conduct Tolerance Analysis for your CAD designs.
Transforming CAD designs into real and tangible parts is not only rewarding on a personal level but also professionally fulfilling. It combines creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on experience, all culminating in the sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something real from an abstract concept.
However, as you already know, physical parts deviate from the idealized representation (the design model) due to many different challenges and manufacturing constraints. Tolerance analysis involves assessing the impact of variations in dimensions, geometries, and other parameters on the final product’s performance and functionality. By utilizing Tolerance Analysis, designers ensure proper fit and alignment of the product components.
Improve Quality & Design Innovation
If the goal is to improve quality and design innovation, enable your engineers to perform comprehensive tolerance stack-up analysis. Traditionally this process is a massive pain i.e. repetitive trial-and-error tasks and tedious testing. This part of the design process can be frustrating and often slows down design teams. However, it doesn’t have to be this way!
The PTC Creo EZ Tolerance Analysis Extension is a dynamic computer-aided engineering (CAE) tool powered by leading Sigmetrix technology. This extension helps designers by creating a faster, more intuitive workflow to assess the impact of dimensional specifications on your product designs before prototypes or production.
The software provides algorithms to help engineers identify the optimal tolerance values that meet the design objectives while considering various constraints. This aids in making informed decisions and reducing the time spent on manual analysis and evaluations.
By considering these variations even earlier in the design process, engineers can make more informed decisions to ensure that the final product will perform as intended. Cheers to reinforcing Closed Loop Manufacturing!
The Positive Business Outcomes of Using EZ Tolerance Analysis
Below is a high-level overview of the positive business outcomes this PTC solution proves to provide for manufacturing companies:
- Speed time to market
- Mitigate risk
- Improve productivity
- Reduce costs by reducing rework and scrap
How EZ Tolerance Analysis Makes Your Workflow Less Stressful
Intuitive User Interface
Achieve your goals efficiently with minimal frustration. The EZ Tolerance Analysis extension’s user-friendly UI enables you to maintain a flow and continue work without disruptions as it is integrated into the familiar Creo environment. This mitigates any steep learning curve and helps with productivity to get new users up and running quickly and confidently. If you need help getting set up with the technology, give us a shout. We can help maximize your workforce capabilities and your technology investment.
Complexity Management
The EZ Tolerance Analysis software provides tools and features to manage complex designs efficiently. It offers intuitive interfaces and workflows that simplify processes regarding defining tolerance features. The extension extracts relevant information directly from your CAD models, reducing manual effort and potential errors. Visual dashboards: say goodbye to tedious spreadsheets.
Problem Identification and Resolution
No more flying blind, EZ Tolerance Analysis provides visualizations and statistical outputs that enable engineers to identify potential issues and bottlenecks in the assembly or system. After pinpointing problematic areas, engineers can devise effective solutions – such as adjusting tolerances, redesigning components, or modifying manufacturing processes.
Quick Iterative Design Refinement
Perform your “what-if” scenarios quickly and accurately. Using Sigmetrix technology, get immediate feedback on the effects of tolerance adjustments and trade-off analysis. Engineers can quickly refine and optimize tolerances based on the analysis results, reducing the time required for iterations.
Improved Collaboration
The software facilitates collaboration among multidisciplinary teams involved in the design and manufacturing process. Easily share tolerance analysis data, models, and reports via HTML reports to ensure everyone comprehensively understands design intent and can make informed decisions. Visual and data-backed reports can be shared with the shop floor, suppliers, or other stakeholders, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. Providing clear documentation helps to minimize misunderstandings and costly mistakes, saving time and effort in the design and manufacturing process.
Standards and Specifications Compliance
Ensure compliance with built-in libraries of industry standards and specifications. Engineers can access these libraries to ensure that defined tolerances comply with the relevant standards. Ensure compliance with ASME and ISO standards for your designs and create products that align precisely with customer requirements while operating within acceptable tolerances. This feature helps streamline the process of defining tolerance features by providing pre-defined templates and guidelines that match industry requirements.
Overall, EZ Tolerance Analysis empowers engineers to make data-driven decisions, reduce uncertainty, and enhance the efficiency and quality of the design and manufacturing process. It aids in achieving design objectives, meeting customer requirements, and delivering reliable and cost-effective products.
Back-Up Your cad Designs with Stack-Up Analysis
The technology performs comprehensive tolerance stack-up analysis by applying two methods for increased accuracy and precision- worst-case analysis and statistical analysis.
Worst-Case Analysis: Worst-case analysis, commonly employed for critical components, examines the scenario where each component in the stack-up attains its maximum acceptable measurement.
Statistical Analysis: On the other hand, statistical analysis utilizes statistical distribution models to represent the variation of each component. These distributions are then combined to predict the overall distribution of the assembly measurement.
Related Technologies To Use With Tolerance Analysis
Combine Tolerance Analysis with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure your designs comply with ASME and ISO standards. Or take your designs even further to contain all the data needed to define the product with model-based definition (MBD). With MBD, your model becomes the source authority across the enterprise. The outcome is shorter product development cycles, reduced costs, and enhanced product quality.
PTC continues its investments in enhancing simulation-driven design and generative design with the new Creo 10. Some new features include Rotational Symmetry, Mass Point Constraints, and Remote Loads. Additionally, Creo Simulation Live now includes Contact Simulation options and improved options for fluid and structural results. Creo Flow Analysis and Creo Simulation now have better animation and multibody support.
For more Simulation and Analysis, we also recommend PTC’s Creo Simulation Advanced powered by Ansys technology. The brand-new Creo Ansys Simulation Advanced analyzes nonlinear contact and materials, with combined thermal and structural analysis. For more information about the latest release of Creo 10 check out the blog here.
PTC’s LiveWorx 2023 was a huge success. EAC is proud to have been a Premier Sponsor for the leading technology trade show in Boston, MA that ran from May 15-18. LiveWorx brought over 10,000 attendees from all over the world to the Boston Exhibition Center (BCEC) to learn and share insights about today’s digital transformation for the manufacturing industry.
The exhibition hall was buzzing with energy as EAC’s booth was filled with great discussions and technical demos revolving around navigating the digital thread. As the #1 PTC Reseller and Solution Provider in North America, it was great to be back with PTC leaders and innovators under one roof while connecting with our customers and network, sharing how we help manufacturers in various industries.
Event Highlights
With groundbreaking intelligence from PTC at the Global Partner Summit, to country star Dierks Bentley (wearing an EAC company ball cap), to hosting PTC’s CEO Jim Heppelmann at our EAC x Fishbowl Solutions Happy Hour, plus exciting guest speakers such as celebrity mountaineer Alex Honnold- LiveWorx 2023 was one for the (digital) books.
Navigating The Digital Thread with EAC
EAC Product Development Solutions is at the forefront of providing and implementing digital thread solutions for companies seeking to transform how they design, manufacture, connect to, and service their products. EAC’s advanced industry knowledge helps resolve pain points companies face from multiple facets throughout the product development lifecycle. Our experts at LiveWorx had seven successful IgniteTalx and Breakout Sessions that covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Creo Illustrate for AR Developers
- Minimum Windchill Implementation to Achieve Significant ROI
- Augmented Reality and Expert Capture
- Model-Based Definition
- Assessing Your Business Practices to Find Optimization Opportunities
- Rapid Prototyping Made Simple with Creo Additive Manufacturing
- Simulation-Driven Design with Creo Simulation Live
Special Thanks
Thank you to everyone who attended our presentations and visited our booth at LiveWorx. We enjoyed meeting with you and learning about your manufacturing challenges, wins, and visions for the near future. We look forward to continuing the conversation and helping you improve your operations throughout the product development lifecycle. Thank you to PTC and our customers who joined us for LiveWorx 2023.
If you missed LiveWorx 2023, you can still get access to our presentation slides or book a technical demo by sending us a note here. Our experts can answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more.
See you in Boston next year!
LiveWorx 2023 Photo Recap:
The dynamic duo, Bonnie and Clyde, the perfect pair: Formlabs 3D printers and PTC Creo. Combining these two technology leaders advance businesses to their full potential. When you combine Formlabs 3D printers with PTC Creo, you get an unbeatable combination for creating designs, prototypes and final products.
What is PTC Creo?
PTC Creo is a cutting-edge CAD software with an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to design and optimize your 3D models.
With PTC Creo, you can create high-quality 3D models with powerful features for analysis, visualization, and manufacturing. You can also import existing data from other applications or use the built-in tools to convert 2D drawings into 3D models.
This 3D CAD software solution also has options for live simulation tests to minimize prototyping. You can make sure the parts you are printing have been tested for durability before they even reach the physical world.
What are Formlabs 3D Printers?
Outside of the outcome being a cool physical representation of your design, 3D printing is a fast and cost-effective way to prototype your product.
Formlabs printers use stereolithography technology (SLA) to produce high-quality parts with smooth surfaces, sharp details and no visible layers or seams – all while being fast enough for production-level throughputs. And because they’re so precise, they’re ideal for creating prototypes that look just like what customers expect from final products!
By using 3D printing, you can create prototypes that look like the final product and test them before mass production. This allows you to make changes based on user feedback before investing in tooling for manufacturing. This hardware can save you time and money on low-waste prototypes and production and improve product quality.
Combining Formlabs 3D Printing with PTC Creo
PTC Creo is an industry-leading CAD software that allows you to model, design and simulate your products. Formlabs 3D printers are the best way to bring these digital designs into physical form. When you combine PTC Creo with Formlabs 3D printing, you can:
Reduce time-to-market by enabling designers and engineers to iterate more quickly on their designs before committing them to tooling or manufacturing processes.
Improve product quality by being able to prototype complex geometries that would otherwise be difficult or impossible using traditional manufacturing methods.
Increase design accuracy by allowing for greater flexibility in prototyping new concepts without the constraints imposed by traditional manufacturing processes.
Using Formlabs 3D Printers with PTC Creo
Using Formlabs 3D printers have many benefits. It’s an inexpensive and quick way to produce prototypes, which can be used to test or validate your design before investing in expensive tooling.
Some benefits that you will see form Formlabs printers:
You can also use 3D printed parts as production-quality end products to save time and money on manufacturing while maintaining quality control throughout the process.
If you’re already using PTC Creo for your CAD/CAM needs, then combining it with Formlabs 3D printers is a smart move because they both offer powerful toolsets that have easy collaboration.
EAC has partnered with Formlabs since 2016 and we now have almost 50 customers using both Creo software and Formlabs printers.
So if you use either of those products today (or plan on doing so soon), this article will show how easy it is for them to work together!
All-in-one in house design and printing creates a smooth-running production process that will save your business money.
Here are some of the benefits of using Formlabs 3D printers with PTC Creo:
1. Faster Prototyping
When combined with PTC Creo, 3D printing with Formlabs printers is fast and efficient – you can quickly iterate on designs and convert your files to create high-quality prototypes. This means you can get your product to market faster and stay ahead of the competition.
Formlabs printers are faster print times with no visible layering and fewer supports needed to clean off.
Also, Converting PTC Creo files to files that are readable on Formlabs printers takes a few minutes on a free Formlabs converter called Freeform. It’s easy to upload a Creo design file into Freeform to convert it to an STL file and then send it directly to your Formlabs printer. Your prints will be ready to go in no time.
2. Improved Design Accuracy and Customization
Formlabs 3D printers offer high resolution and accurate prints, which means you can create prototypes that look and feel like the final product. This allows you to test your designs more accurately and make changes before committing to manufacturing.
Customization and small-scale production runs, which are great for creating unique products or limited edition runs, are made possible with Formlabs 3D Printers. PTC Creo can help you design and optimize these products to meet your exact specifications with the versatility of tools that it provides.
3. Cost Savings
By using Formlabs 3D printing for prototyping, you can save money on tooling and manufacturing costs. This is especially true with Formlabs printers, which offer high-quality prints at a lower cost than traditional manufacturing methods.
While there are some printers that have direct integrations from PTC Creo, you could be spending $50k-$80k more on printers. Converting PTC Creo files to files that are readable on Formlabs printers takes a few minutes and costs you nothing.
4. Increased Productivity
By combining PTC Creo and Formlabs 3D printers, you can work more efficiently and get more done in less time. PTC Creo’s powerful design tools and Formlabs’ fast printing speeds allow you to create high-quality prototypes and final products quickly and easily.
Conclusion
Taking advantage of the power of PTC Creo 3D CAD software for product design and creation and advanced Formlabs 3D printers for physical production, you get an unbeatable combination for creating prototypes and final products.
In conclusion, combining Formlabs 3D printers with PTC Creo offers numerous benefits that can help you create high-quality prototypes and final products faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost. So, if you’re looking to innovate your product design process, consider using Formlabs printers with PTC Creo.
Reach out to one of our experts to find out which solution would benefit your production process.
