Concept Modeling
SpaceClaim enables engineers to easily visualize, communicate, and evaluate designs in 3D in order to achieve new levels of product innovation. The SpaceClaim user interface allows both non-CAD experts and seasoned CAD professionals to refine and optimize concepts before locking down the design in a traditional CAD package. Traditional CAD is ideal for your downstream CAD detailing and and documentation, while using SpaceClaim is a much better tool for concept work.
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Challenge
Traditional history-based CAD software was designed to constrain models
for manufacturing documentation and is not appropriate for the concept
phase of product development. Using a CAD specialist to support concept
modeling can be slow and expensive. Also, use of traditional CAD early
in the design process can stifle innovation. Often, engineers make the
mistake of modeling in traditional CAD too early, locking down the
design before it is optimized across departments.
Solution
SpaceClaim enables an expanded use of 3D in the concept modeling phase.
SpaceClaim’s unique user interface enables engineers to work in 3D but,
it is not a lifestyle tool. Engineers don’t need to use SpaceClaim daily
to remain proficient, and engineers who aren’t CAD specialists -- and
don’t want to be -- can learn SpaceClaim in hours instead of weeks.
- Create
new concept models quickly and easily that you can share with your
customers, R&D engineers, CAE analysts, manufacturing and the CAD
team
- Merge data from various CAD formats, supplier components, and in-house CAD data in one environment
- Pinpoint product cost early and increase profitability
- Eliminate surprises late in the design process and last-minute ECO's
- Copy and paste from old models into new ones, regardless of origin
- Collaborate in real-time with your design team in 3D
- Create photorealistic renderings before committing to detailed design in CAD
Advantages
- Rapidly produce sophisticated 3D models
- Quickly converge on the right engineering solutions
- Learn 3D in hours instead of days or weeks
- Easily open and edit all popular CAD formats
- All necessary stakeholders can contribute to the concept
Benefits
- Decrease time-to-market by 30% or more
- Lower total cost of ownership, saving thousands in training
- Reduce ECO’s late in the process where they are most expensive
- Improve final design
- Increase iterations by four to five times in the same time period during concept phase
Features
- Use four simple tools for most modeling operations: Pull, Move, Fill, and Combine
- History-free (feature-free) design environment supports multiple design scenarios and evolving ideas during design reviews
- Create stylized geometry with Tweak Face tool
- Turn parts into assemblies or assemblies into parts using the Combine tool
- Use standard Microsoft office tools like Cut, Copy, and Paste to work on geometry for fast ideation from existing designs
- Work with 3D or 2D cross-section geometry easily
- Import or export of most data formats with unrivaled interoperability
- Import images and trace over them with the Sketch tool to begin modeling in 3D
- Import video files and play them on the model to bring the concept to life
- Speed system packaging and configuration with constraint-free assembly tools
- Enable 2D and 3D communication and collaboration with 3D Markup, Notations, Dimensions, and Drawing tools
- Evaluate different material design scenarios with Material, Library, and Mass Properties tools
- Create a BOM to evaluate weights and lengths for cost calculations
- Use KeyShot for fast photo-realistic customer images
- Integrate with leading CAE packages to help drive simulation-driven product development
Customer Quotes
"We've been using SpaceClaim for about 17 months and have more than recouped our investment in time saved, error reduction, and faster time-to-market. SpaceClaim is extremely easy to learn. Even our intern, without training, can be productive in just two weeks. You can't beat that."
Michael Lieblich
FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER)
AeroNautique
"SpaceClaim lets me bring designs to fruition four to five times faster than previous methods."
Paul Gateau
Founder
SYNGAS
"From the conceptual side, SpaceClaim is a must-have tool. My clients' jaws drop when I make edits in real time, online, or in person."
Dan Falvey
CEO and Founder
Tools4Design
"SpaceClaim was the right solution for this project as it included a
lot of conceptual work, so I would not have been able to use a
history-based system. The flexibility of direct modeling was a
significant advantage as I designed the Volkswagen Electric Bike with
SpaceClaim. All the engineering was done in SpaceClaim. Most of the
surface work was done elsewhere, and then everything was joined and
modified in SpaceClaim and passed on to CAM and to production." Watch a
Discovery Channel clip showcasing the development of this electric bike in SpaceClaim.
Martin Koppolow
Volke Kommunications Design GmbH