HEXAGON OPENS NEXUS CLOUD PLATFORM TO ALL USERS

Nexus, the new open cloud platform from Hexagon, is looking to put an end to the data silos that hamper innovation by enabling real-time collaboration and feedback between Hexagon’s own products and third-party software.

Initially announced in June 2022, the platform is now open to all users, following beta testing by companies in Europe and North America. It launches with a modest offering that its developers claim will grow quickly with user needs.

Co-engineered with Microsoft, Nexus has been created to empower siloed teams so they can use data better in order to invent sustainable and optimised products in a more efficient and agile way, and then manufacture them to the required quality.

The platform will feature cloud apps, both from Hexagon and third parties, as well as the ability to connect up onpremises and legacy software, including that used to run shop floor equipment.

“It’s a workflow that hopefully makes it much easier to solve problems because it drives this collaboration across disciplines,” said Stephen Graham, executive vice president and general manager for Nexus at Hexagon.

“We often hear it from customers: disciplines tend to be quite siloed. They’re individuals who’ve built up engineering expertise in their specific area over the last 20 years or more and they’re specialists in that area. But it’s almost like they speak a totally different language.”

He gave the example of miscommunication between engineers trying to solve the manufacturability problems posed by a specific product, and that product’s designers, who may be less familiar with the manufacturing practicalities involved.

In this situation, according to Graham, Nexus can break down the communications barriers and get participants to start speaking the same language in order to get problems solved.

Nexus will also work across organisational boundaries, allowing for better collaboration between outsourced design and manufacturing services and bureaux, but enabling elements like AM build prep or post-processing to be handled in-house.

Key to all this is integration technology developed by Hexagon for linking apps and bringing into Nexus data generated from other systems and devices. www.hexagonmi.com

Glasses-free 3D viz tech launched by Sony

Sony has unveiled its secondgeneration spatial reality display, the ELF-SR2. This features a 27-inch screen (expanding on the first generation model’s 15.6-inch screen) and wider tool compatibility.

Available for just over £4,000, the ELF-SR2 targets designers and developers who want to see their projects in three dimensions without being encumbered by glasses or a VR headset. The expanded 4K screen can more accurately track viewers’ eyes for smoother 3D presentations.

Highlights of the new offering include an upgraded high-speed vision sensor, image quality enhancing technologies, and installation flexibility. Additionally, the ELF-SR2 promises to enable more robust functionality through its support of applications and development.

Round Up

Nexa3D has announced a deal to acquire all of the technology, distribution and service offerings of XYZprinting’s SLS 3D printer business. The USbased high-speed resin 3D printer manufacturer will add XYZ’s MfgPro230 xS and MfgPro236 xS printers to its product portfolio www.nexa3D.com

Siemens and Microsoft are to integrate Siemens’ Teamcenter PLM software with Microsoft Teams. The Teamcenter app for Microsoft Teams, due to launch later in 2023, will help design engineers and factory-floor workers close feedback loops faster and solve challenges together www.sw.siemens.com

Electrical connectors that were additively manufactured using a new photopolymer for enduse applications from 3D Systems have been awarded industry certification. The development marks another major milestone in the evolution of 3D printing for building electrical components www.3dsystems.com

Oqton has announced it has entered into a partnership with Farsoon Technologies, in order to enable a complete manufacturing workflow to be carried out within a single software solution. The aim here is to increase productivity and maximise innovation for industrial manufacturers www.oqton.com www.sony.com

Optimised for industrial design, surgical planning, AEC work and games development, among other activities, Sony offers ‘streamlined development’ through software development kits (SDKs). Users will be able to build VR/AR content on the display in real time later this year.

Beta CAE has announced the launch of v23.0.3, which comes with significant improvements to the company's Ansa, Epilysis and Meta integrated tools, and aims to improve user experience in daily tasks, in part by reducing the risk of incomplete translations occurring www.beta-cae.com