DUCT SIZER
Capability: The HVAC Duct Sizer application for the iPhone or iPod Touch allows users to quickly size one or more runs of HVAC duct using the constant friction method and ASHRAE-based calculations. The application allows users to size new duct systems by inputting air flow, aspect ratio, and either velocity or friction loss. It also allows users to size existing systems by inputting duct dimensions and either air flow or air velocity. Users can specify additional parameters such as the duct shape, duct material type, and air temperature and pressure. It calculates in both American customary and metric units.
Hardware: iPhone or iPod Touch.
Developer: Carmel Software Corp., 1050 Northgate Drive, Suite 195, San Rafael, CA 94903; (800) 339-6030; www.carmelsoft.com.
Cost: $6.99 downloaded from the Appstore on iPhone and iPod Touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
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SHARE CAD
Capability: The online service ShareCAD.org gives engineers quick access to CAD drawings from any personal computer or Web-enabled device connected to the Internet. The sender and the recipient do not need to have the same CAD software. Users upload files to ShareCAD.org, and the recipient receives a link to the file, copies it into a browser, and the drawing opens in the browser window. The application supports the keyboard and mouse operations, typical for the stand-alone CAD applications, including the ability to zoom the image by rolling the mouse wheel. Frequent operations are available through the context menu, toolbar, and common keyboard shortcuts.
Hardware: PC with Internet access.
Developer: CadSoftTools, Malye Gonchary 14, Tula 300057, Russia; (7-4872) 34-82-95; fax (7-4872) 34-87-65; www.sharecad.org.
Cost: Free.
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CFD COMPARISONS
Capability: CFdesign 2010 tool allows evaluation of fluid-flow performance with single and multiple scenario design capabilities. Users can compare different designs to assess product performance. Design feedback is expressed in standard engineering terms, so an engineer doesn’t have to be a CFD expert to make use of the software or dig through quantities of CFD outputs. A design study bar acts as a digital prototyping control panel to let users create, add, change, and manage multi-scenario design studies.
Hardware: PC running Windows XP or Vista.
Developer: Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc., 650 Peter Jefferson Place, Suite 250, Charlottesville, VA 22911; (434) 977-2764; www.cfdesign.com.
Cost: $19,000, starting.
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MATH IN E-MAIL
Capability: MathType creates textbook-quality equations that can be inserted into papers, presentations, and e-mail, allowing engineers to use math notations in a variety of applications and Web sites. With the upgrade to version 6.6, MathType now supports the Windows 7 handwriting recognition feature. The upgrade also extends to more than 350 the number of applications supported in areas such as education, e-learning, calculation, word processing, and presentations. An accompanying Web application gives instructions on how best to use MathType with each product.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, NT, XP, or 7.
Developer: Design Science Inc., 140 Pine Avenue, 4th floor, Long Beach, CA 90802; (562) 432-2920; fax (562) 432-2857; www.dessci.com/en/.
Cost: $97; $57 academic.
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CAM WITH CAD
Capability: Alibre CAM 2.0 is a parametric machining solution integrated with Alibre Design CAD software. It includes 2.5-, 3-, 4-, and indexed 5-axis tool path creation, and g-code output to more than 160 CNC machine brands. The upgrade includes a new user interface, streamlined workflows, and new machining operations as compared to past versions.
Hardware: PC running Alibre Design.
Developer: Alibre Inc., 2350 Campbell Creek Blvd, Suite 100, Richardson, TX 75082; (972) 671-8492; fax (972) 671-8493; www.alibre.com.
Cost: less than $4,000.
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