3DSemantix will demonstrate its integrated 3DPartFinder geometry-based search engine for SolidWorks at the SolidWorks World 2010 exhibition to be held in Anaheim, California, January 31st to February 3rd.
Semantics is the study of meaning. In computer science, a “semantic gap” frequently occurs whenever ordinary human activities, observations, and tasks are transferred into a computational representation.
In a very similar way, engineers designing 3D models using CAD systems are facing a problem when searching for similar parts in a database and using alphanumeric-based search systems. This method is so unproductive that today, designers prefer to create a new part instead of using one that is already in inventory, for lack of being able to find it easily. The designer is facing a semantic gap; he search for SHAPE but has to provide ALPHANUMERIC characters to the search engine, hoping the model name will contain some and bring a few results. In order to find similar parts the designer has to become a database administrator.
3DSemantix has filled the gap and created semantics that allow one to search for similar parts using a 3D MODEL as input to the search engine, not alphanumeric characters. 3DSemantix is proudly introducing its first product using this new semantics: 3DPARTFINDER. 3DPartFinder for SolidWorks is a revolutionary shape search product that does for parts what Google does with text: It finds and displays parts similar to the initial inquiry. That initial inquiry can be done in various ways. One approach is to load an existing file of the target part and launch 3DPartFinder. Another approach is to sketch the 3D shape of the target part in SolidWorks, and then have the search engine find similar parts.
3DPartFinder is fully integrated into SolidWorks and give access to the user to all the functions of its CAD system. Launch 3DPartFinder from SolidWorks and suitable matches are displayed in a SolidWorks assembly. Parts are ranked according to their similarity to a reference. Users can rotate and compare any part in the assembly and access any detailed information or function available in SolidWorks as necessary. The user can easily launch another search using any file results returned by the first search.
The advanced geometry-based search capability of 3DPartFinder accurately identifies similar parts and duplicates. Its unique advanced geometry-based search capability enables part reuse. It also promotes knowledge re-use in core engineering while minimizing time and expenses associated with designing or purchasing duplicate parts.
“Part Re-use is one of the major issues which companies face to increase their productivity. 3DPartFinder for SolidWorks will now allow everyone to implement it so inexpensively,” explained Roland Maranzana, Chief Technology Officer of 3DSemantix, who has overseen the creation of the new program. “By integrating 3DPartFinder and adopting the look and feel of SolidWorks, designers can use the shape search engine effectively from the first day.”
At SolidWorks World, 3DSemantix will meet with leading international SolidWorks dealers to establish a strong distribution channel for its new product. Any SolidWorks representatives that are interested in reselling 3DSemantix’s new software are invited to visit the company on booth 135.
Please visit www.3dpartfinder.com for more information.
