Massachusetts based software company PTC has released the latest version of its CAD modeling software, Creo 5.0. PTC has added a number of new features and extensions which the company says “enables users to go from concept to manufacturing in one design environment.”
Extensions realise Creo’s concept to manufacturing vision
Creo 5.0 introduces the Creo Additive Manufacturing Plus Extension for Materialise, announced in February. The extension allows the printing of metal parts within Creo from 3D printers connected to Materialise’s Build Processor. Materialise’s online template library of print drivers and profiles has also been integrated with Creo.
Other extensions enhancing Creo’s feature set include:
- The Mold Machining extension which allows for high-speed 3-axis and 3+2 positioning machining, for dies, molds, electrodes and prototypes.
- The Topology Optimization Extension which uses user inputted objectives and constraints to automatically create optimized designs.
- The Collaboration Extension for Autodesk Inventor enabling the swapping of parts and assemblies with Autodesk Inventor, allowing users of both platforms to more easily collaborate.
- Support for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) enabling fluid flow simulation within Creo. The ability to work on CAD and CFD in the same software should allow users to place analysis earlier in the workflow, potentially preempting design issues later in a project.
Other improvements include improvements to surfacing, sheet metal design, geometry creation with sketch regions and an improved user interface.
Capabilities, like additive manufacturing, set Creo apart
The improvements are all aimed at making Creo better able to support projects “from the earliest phases of design to a smart connected project.” “Improved functionality and new capabilities, like additive manufacturing, set Creo apart, and give companies a true competitive edge all the way from concept to manufacturing” said Brian Thompson, senior vice president of PTC’s CAD segment.
With the Additive Manufacturing Plus extension and integration of Materialise’s template library, Creo users will gain access to the growing 3D printing eco-system. Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace, launched at last month’s SOLIDWORKS World 2018, connects 50 digital manufacturers with customers requiring objects made on demand. Last year, Siemens NX software integrated Materialise’s Magics 3D Print technology, bridging the gap between systems for product design and 3D printing.
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Featured image shows the improved UI in Creo 5.0. Image via PTC.
