In FAB

HSMXpress. First Fully-Integrated and Free SolidWorks CAM Solution

3 Mins Read

How do you really upset a machinist? Show them an fully-integrated SolidWorks CAM solution that puts their 2D toolpath pickin’ to SHAME. That’s one angry CNC programmer. That is, until they realize how much time you’ve saved them. HSMWorks, creators of the product by the same name, is releasing the first free CAM solution for SolidWorks. HSMXpress is a fully-functional 2D and 2-1/2D CNC programming systems you can use to lay out and visualize toolpaths for basic CNC operations like drilling, contouring and pocketing.

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In 3D CAD TECH

My Robot Nation. Your Very Own 3D Printed Robots [Promocode!]

2 Mins Read

Robots! And they’re sooooo adorable! Wait, that one looks like… yes! THE FUTURE. Boys and girls, what you’re about to see IS the future. A glimpse at custom-fab-to-hand ingenuity in the shape of a wee, 3D print of eventual human devouring goodness. Now, customized fab tech isn’t new, but My Robot Nation is making it look good and poised to start a toy manufacturing revolution with a web UI that allows you to create, share and gift robot designs of varying shape and attribute. Best of all, SolidSmack readers get a sweet holiday discount till the end of the year. Hit it!

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In 3D CAD TECH

3DConnexion SpaceMouse Pro. More Rock for Your Bloody Nubs.

2 Mins Read

I tore the tender gristle from my wrist joint last week and sent my loose appendage into the Exhibition hall of Autodesk University 2011, straight down to the 3DConnexion booth. Before the blood completely drained, I (or rather, my hand) was able to twitch uncontrollably on top of the new product from 3DConnexion, the SpaceMouse Pro. A big thanks to Mark, Kristen and Mei for not freaking out and booting it into a seminar on data management. Here’s what I found out…

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In DESIGN

Springy Soft, Steel-Wheeled Bike is Ready to Roll

2 Mins Read

Thinking of getting rid of those boring old rubber wheels on your ride? You bet. And what better way to do it than pinning strips of sheet steel together, for an ever so subtle springy wheel effect. Ron Arad is a product designer and architect with just the approach to make that happen and the results of his first go at it are quite impressive.

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In 3D CAD TECH

Dassault Introduces a New 3D Sketch Tool for ID, Hides it in the Corner.

2 Mins Read

Dassault Systemes sure isn’t afraid to launch a cool, new product… then hide in the back corner next to the prosthetic leg design for their cat. Thing is, it may not actually be ready for prime-time, even though it is part of the currently available CATIA V6R2012 release. CATIA Natural Sketch was announced at ECF2011, allowing 3D sketching, with your hand, directly on your 2D screen. Here’s a quick look at the screen-slanting joy of CATIA Natural Sketch and all the gritty details we were able to dig up.

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