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| The world's number one metrology company will use the open-source 3D modeling components and Open CASCADE services for the continued development of its CMM software for off-line programming |
Paris, December 14, 2001 – Open CASCADE is the software of choice for the next development phase of Cadpak Win, marketed by Mitutoyo as an optional software for the off-line programming of mechanical part inspection. Mitutoyo has ordered development services and maintenance from Open CASCADE for a total of nearly 300,000 Euros, with delivery of the new version scheduled for March 2002. In addition to turnkey development of the Cadpak Win application, Mitutoyo has requested three years of technical support.
Cadpak Win was developed for Mitutoyo's extensive range of Co-ordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) and is currently promoted and distributed by the company in France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the U.K. The great advantage of off-line programming with Cadpak Win is that it optimizes use of expensive machine tool time. While the machine tool functions uninterruptedly in-line, Cadpak Win can be used to enter the co-ordinates of a part which will serve as the model for quality control, using either the same or an independent PC that displays the CAD model.
In the United Kingdom, Open CASCADE collaborates with EADS Matra Datavision Ltd. in a common effort to ensure customer satisfaction for all specific application developments. EADS Matra Datavision is responsible for helpdesk support, technical assistance and training.
Open CASCADE brings added value to Cadpak Win
With its advanced data exchange functionality, Open CASCADE is the ideal tool for enabling Cadpak Win to read data from a number of CAD systems in IGES, VDA, DXF or CATIA formats. Open CASCADE functions also improve measuring quality by filtering the imported geometric entities to improve their accuracy, by encouraging optimal positioning of the probe head, and by automatically adapting to the many default parameters of the program.
Ken Edmett, senior technical manager for Mitutoyo U.K., expressed continued satisfaction with the services provided by the Open CASCADE company, which has also developed previous versions of the software: "We have been impressed all along by the efficiency and quality of the development team's work." A major benefit of Open CASCADE, which follows the philosophy of the open-source approach to development, is the encouragement of information transfer on the Cadpak Win project. "We can follow the project through an extranet site created by the Open CASCADE development team, and work in progress is completely transparent," says Edmett.
After improving functionality in earlier versions, Open CASCADE developers now aim to create a series of commands that will automate and accelerate the inspection process even more. They also have as a goal the creation of an easy-to-use interface that resembles the interface of Geopak Win, Mitutoyo's built-in software for in-line CMM programming. This will enable a user who is familiar with Geopak Win to adapt rapidly to Cadpak Win.
About Mitutoyo
Founded in 1934 and headquarted at Kanagawa, Japan, Mitutoyo Corporation is number one worldwide in the field of precision measuring instruments. By fusing five basic technologies -- mechanical technology, electronics technology, optical technology, and computer technology with control technology (servo technology) -- Mitutoyo delivers leading-edge products at the forefront of the world's precision measuring equipment. Since it was founded, Mitutoyo has been a global corporation that has always competed in the world market. In 1963 Mitutoyo’s first local corporation was established in the United States of America, and, as of March 2000, the company has research and development, production, and sales bases in 20 foreign countries. Thanks to this global network, Mitutoyo exports more than 50% of its products. Mitutoyo counts 2,249 employees, with 1,862 of these outside Japan. As of June 2001, consolidated sales were 85,997 million yen. For further information, see: http://www.mitutoyo.co.jp/eng/. |
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