Creo Parametric Tips

Oct 1, 2024

Sep 20, 2024

Sep 17, 2024

“What Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man sees, symbols overlaid on the real world, giving him all sorts of information in colour while he’s flying around at speed, that’s the kind of thing that Striker II does” When a fighter pilot is flying a high-speed jet, every second counts. In futuristic TV and movies we’ve got used to seeing pilots reading displays right in front of their eyes, think Iron Man and Top Gun. Well real life is catching up with the revolutionary Striker II Digital Helmet-Mounted Display made by BAE Systems. BAE Systems is one the world’s leading aerospace innovators but their history goes back a long way at their site in Rochester, England. Once a plant that built aircraft during WW2, it’s now the birthplace of augmented reality in aviation, shaping the future of both military and commercial aviation. Nigel Kidd, has worked on the groundbreaking technology that powers Striker II since its inception, Alongside him Paul Harrison, manages the flight simulation facility at Rochester, where they simulate various flight scenarios, from fast jets to commercial aircraft. They explain how Striker II integrates advanced technologies to reduce pilot stress and enhance safety, including a digital night vision that replaces bulky goggles and a potential 3D Audio system for spatial sound recognition.

Dec 6, 2023

Do you work in the engineering department responsible for product design? We know that designers and engineers must address issues around cost, compliance, and product redesigns. In many cases, this requires pulling data from different systems. We have created a solution vision that we want your feedback on. Through this approach, we would collect data automatically and deliver it via Windchill (PLM) to help you make data-driven design decisions and speed up the process of collecting and analyzing this data. The call will be hosted remotely using MS Teams or Zoom, and last approximately 45 - 60 minutes. You will be rewarded with a $50 honorarium in the form of an e-gift card. Interested? Register here: https://www.userinterviews.com/projects/6g1pRnFf_A/apply

Jun 13, 2022

Sep 19, 2024

Oct 25, 2024

"Manufacturing is critical to our national security, our health and our ability to explore new worlds and advance the human condition… VulcanForms exists to move manufacturing forward and be a small piece, hopefully a very important piece, of that future.” VulcanForms is an MIT-born company that builds and operates advanced digital manufacturing infrastructure, founded in 2015. It’s named after Vulcan, the roman god of fire and metalworking. Why? Because the company has developed an innovative new way of manufacturing intricate metal parts on an industrial scale. They use metal additive manufacturing, a form of 3D printing to print engineered metal components that require precise designs and complex structures. This means they can have a production line that can at one time be making components for medical devices, then switch to making consumer electronics, and another week be making products for aviation, space exploration or the defence industry. What’s more this production line is quieter, cleaner and greener than ever more! Manufacturing components this way instead of the traditional method of forging them cuts down on costs and removes the need for a supply chain. In this episode, Co-Founder John Hart takes us around VulcanOne, VulcanForm’s Digital Design Lab in Massachusetts, to find out more We also hear from Brian Thompson at PTC, who tells us about how the 3D CAD software Creo helps the team at VulcanForms collaborate on their designs to perfect this alternative manufacturing process.

Dec 6, 2023

“The genesis of Xenith was basically: there’s gotta be a better way.” Athletes who play American Football regularly face high-impact tackles, the force of which can feel like being hit by a baby whale. As more research is being done into the potential effects of repeated head trauma on an athlete’s health, there is a renewed focus on safety measures in the sport being driven from the top down by the NFL. Xenith was founded in 2006 by Vin Ferrara, who had played college football as a quarterback and was interested in creating a new game-changing type of helmet. Xenith’s unique approach is to use adaptive technology which allows the helmet to move independently to the athlete’s head on impact, protecting them from the majority of the force. Now, Xenith’s helmets are used across the globe and the company makes various different types of protective equipment including helmets, shoulder pads and core guards from their headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. In this episode Chief Engineer Ron Jadischke takes us around their HQ to demonstrate some of the impact testing performed on their new helmets and explain the technology “under the hood” of certain models. We also hear from Brian Thompson, who head’s up PTC’s CAD division, to talk about how PTC’s CREO technology can help Xenith find new ways to improve athlete safety.

Dec 5, 2023

Oct 7, 2024

Today, we're diving into the groundbreaking world of nano voxel, a company specializing in two photon polymerization, 3d printing technology, or in other words, 3d printing in miniature. They aim to transform micromanufacturing by replicating parts into silicon molds with unmatched precision. Our producer Aaron visited Nanovoxel's state of the art facilities to meet founder Domenico Foglia. Hear how their incredible feats of micromanufacturing can create a baby Yoda the size of a grain of sand, or an entire castle crafted on a pencil tip.

Sep 16, 2024

“They wanted to prototype technologies for telexistence… so it’s essentially where you have a remote operator… controlling a robotic autonomous system.” If you are injured in a disaster zone, it is critical that you receive medical care as urgently as possible. But what if the environment is not safe for medics to enter? Either because it is a war zone or because there are hazardous materials around. That’s where AMRC’s VR technology can help. The Advanced Medical Robotics Centre at the University of Sheffield, UK has created pioneering robotics technology to get medics into difficult-to-access areas to triage patients. Using medical telexistence (MediTel) technology, medics can operate a remote controlled robot to reach the patients, and wear a virtual reality headset which places them in that environment. The robots are equipped with medical devices which allow the medics to carry out checks including taking the patient's pulse, administering pain relief and palpitating their abdomen. Meanwhile the headset is so realistic that it feels like the user is there on the ground, with the view from the robot moving in real time as they move their heads. AMRC is hoping to use this technology in the next 1-2 years to save lives in dangerous environments. In this episode we head to Sheffield to visit AMRC’s Digital Design Lab to meet David King, who demonstrates how realistic their MediTel VR technology is.

Dec 6, 2023

“We’re giving the opportunity for people to do a lot of technical work, that generally doesn't happen too often in Kenya” If you’ve been to East Africa you may be familiar with “boda bodas.” If not, they’re small taxi bikes, commonly used by couriers or to transport people. There are 1.2 million of them in Kenya alone, that’s a lot of combustion engines on the roads, and removing them is the problem that Roam Electric are helping to solve Roam was founded in 2017. They started out making electric safari vehicles (no surprise being located right on the edge of the national park) but they now aim to create an electric future for Africa by producing easy-to-use, affordable electric vehicles. As well as developing innovative electric buses as the country’s newest and greenest mass transit solution, they also build an electric motorcycle called the Roam Air, primarily targeted at boda boda riders. In this episode we head to Nairobi to visit Roam’s HQ to meet Masa Kituyi and Dennis Wakaba who show us round the shop floor, take a spin on a Roam Air and hear how the technology and design behind these motorcycles is the future of mobility in Africa. The other fascinating aspect of this story is the positive impact that the company is having locally. The workforce is 39% female and they’re a success story in talent development in Kenya. We also hear from Jon Hirschtick at PTC, who tells us about how the Onshape software helps the whole team at Roam collaborate seamlessly in the design process and management of the whole manufacturing journey.

Dec 6, 2023

“How can we make this so it physically works, but also how can we make it so that it looks amazing as well?” From James Bond to Mission Impossible to The Great Escape, chances are you have probably seen a Triumph motorcycle on the silver screen. Triumph’s most famous bikes are probably their iconic 1960s Bonneville range, but they make a wide range of classic, urban and adventure bikes, and also supply engines for racing bikes, with some models having even broken land- speed records. The company was founded in 1902 and they currently sell around 100,000 bikes each year all around the world. The sleek design which made the 1960s models so famous is very important to the brand, but they also need to include all of the modern hardware that today’s consumers expect, from cruise control to infotainment. Our producer Helen visited Triumph’s headquarters in Hinckley to meet Chief Design Office Geoff Hurst. He showed her around their offices and the on-site Visitor Centre, and explained how clever design is required for their contemporary bikes to maintain all the style of their 1960s models, but include all of the technological advances of the 2020s. We also hear from Mark Lobo at PTC, who tells us about how the Windchill software is ideal for automotive and motorcycle manufacturing companies like Triumph who value quality and attention to detail.

Dec 6, 2023

“We believe that Africa shouldn’t be trailing behind the developing world in green initiatives, but that actually Africa is primed to lead the drive to green initiatives.” Around the world, over 3 billion people don’t have access to motorised transport. This means that farmers in emerging economies can struggle to get their produce to market. They might have to carry heavy loads long distances, or pay to rent a bike which isn’t suited to dangerous roads, all because they can’t afford to buy a truck. OxDelivers is working to change all this by allowing farmers to rent space in their electric OxTrucks. As the farmers are only paying for the space they need, the system remains affordable and allows them to take more goods to market and make more profit. The OxDelivers system is currently operating in Rwanda, but they aim to expand to other emerging markets. The OxTrucks have been designed to be durable enough to negotiate the hilly Rwandan roads, and fully electric to keep costs down and to be less polluting. Our producer Helen visited their HQ in Leamington Spa in the UK to find out more about how OxDelivers are constantly innovating and improving their trucks to give the best possible service to their customers. We also hear from Jon Hirschtick at PTC, who tells us about how OnShape’s cloud-based system can suit a small start-up like OxDelivers and help their engineers to work collaboratively with their office in Rwanda.

Dec 6, 2023

“The project has definitely made me more curious about all the kinds of subjects I had to delve into for the project… also resilience, I think, is a big part of it.“ Education is vital for inspiring the engineers of tomorrow. In this special episode of the podcast we ask: are we encouraging enough young people to go into engineering to meet the demand for innovation? We speak to Jordan Cox from PTC’s Education segment about the importance of inspiring the next generation to study STEM subjects, and how the company is supporting academia in creating the engineers of the future. We also head to Germany to meet Steve Sandhoop, a high school student at the Gymnasium in den Filder Benden, who is living proof that giving students access to technology to get involved in engineering can yield great results. Steve created a robot arm designed to carry out knee surgery as part of his final project at school. Not content with just building the robot, he also created an accurate life-size model of a human knee for it to operate on. He 3D printed all parts of his robot arm and the model knee in the school “fab lab” (short for fabrication lab) and consulted with a surgeon to make the model anatomically correct. Steve designed the robotic arm in PTC’s Onshape CAD software. We hear about how the project has ignited an interest in engineering and software for Steve and how vital it was for him to have the tools and support provided for him by his school.

Dec 5, 2023

Technology has become integrated into every aspect of the way we work, especially for people who spend a big chunk of time sitting at a desk for their job. But whether you’re updating a document on your iPad, or dialling into Zoom from your laptop, this tech is not hands free. So frontline workers like paramedics, engineers, mechanics - people who have their hands tied doing their job - often miss out on the edge and convenience of computers. And that’s where Assisted Reality and RealWear’s incredible suite of hands-free, voice-enabled head wearables comes in. To find out about this tech, and in particular their flagship product the Navigator 520, our reporter Joel Shupack visited RealWear’s HQ in Vancouver, Washington, to meet chairman and CEO Andrew Crosstowski (Chrostowski).

Dec 5, 2023

“We’ve seen a drastic change in the medical landscape. We see that people have a switch in their relationship with their healthcare professionals.” Walking down the street, you’ll notice many people have switched their classic Casio for something a little bit… Smarter. Interest in smart devices and wearable tech has grown rapidly since the pandemic, as our relationship with our health has changed and evolved. Withings is a company developing some of the most technically advanced health trackers on the market. But it’s not all about smartwatches and fitness straps - Withings’ smart scales are state- of-the-art, and their pioneering urine monitor is one-of-a-kind. In this episode we find out about all three of Withings’ flagship products, visiting their HQ just outside Paris to meet mechanical team leader Manon Navellou and PR manager Thi Nguyen. We also hear from Jon Hirschtick who explains why Withings has chosen to use PTC’s cloud- based computer aided design platform Onshape.

Dec 4, 2023

“We’re extremely well positioned to make charging your car as easy as charging your laptop.” It wasn’t always easy owning an electric car, with the constant fear of running out of juice weighing on your mind. But those fears are fast vanishing, with unbelievable growth and innovation in charging technology. So as many countries prepare for a large-scale transition to electric, and with petrol and diesel cars soon to become a thing of the past, are we prepared for our electric future? Thanks to companies like EVBox, the future is bright. In this episode we visit EVBox’s HQ in Amsterdam to find out just how easy their award winning EV chargers are to use. We learn how they're speeding up charge times with their game-changing tech. And we hear about their successes and global growth. We also hear from Jon Hirschtick who explains how EVBox uses PTC’s product lifecycle management and quality management solution Arena.

Dec 4, 2023

“We’re using the eye as a window to the health of the body. We’re developing solutions to some of humanity’s greatest healthcare challenges.” Our eyes contain a vast amount of information about our health, but they’re an untapped resource. Assessing the eye requires contact, and that can be uncomfortable and unsafe, so it’s often avoided. That’s why Occuity’s technology is game-changing. Their contactless handheld devices not only unlock the full power of the eye and open up a world of healthcare opportunities, but they’re also so easy to use that patients can assess themselves. In this episode we meet Occuity’s head of marketing Richard Kadri-Langford, and design engineer Jamie Serjeant. They take us on a tour of Occuity’s HQ in Reading in the UK, to learn about two of their devices, the PM1 Pachymeter and their non-invasive glucose metre Indigo. We even get a peak behind the scenes in the ‘Midnight Room’, their secret development lab. We also hear from Jon Hirschtick who explains how Occuity uses PTC’s PTC’s CAD solution Onshape to create the intricate and visually striking designs they pride themselves on.

Dec 4, 2023

“You’ll park it at your house, drive it to the nearest airstrip, unfold your vehicle, take-off, fly 500km, land again, and drive to your final destination.” Flying cars have long been the poster child for the future - a sign that we’ve reached an incredible milestone in technological advancement. But that vision of the future has been confined to science fiction for many decades - until now. PAL-V is building the world’s first road-legal flying car, and it’s extremely close to liftoff. The aim is to make general aviation practical for everyday mobility. In this episode we sit in the driving seat of the stunning PAL-V Liberty, a car that flies like a gyroplane. We meet PAL-V’s marketing director, Joris Wolters, who explains the engineering that’s gone into developing the Liberty, and what the car is capable of. We also hear from Mark Lobo, who heads PTC’s Windchill product lifecycle management Division. He explains how PAL-V uses the PLM solution to deal with its rapid growth and strict data compliance needs.

Nov 30, 2023

Creo Parametric Tips

Using Solid Model Tools in Creo NC

Episode 46 - KTM X-BOW: The high-performance sports car racing into the future

Episode 43 - A peek inside the toy chest

Episode 27 - BAE Systems: Vision of the Future for Fighter Pilots

Designing better products with AI analytics - $50 for 1h call

Episode 45 - Muddy Machines: The future of robotic harvesting

Rapid Product Development using Generative Additive & Simulation Techniques

Episode 26 - VulcanForms: Laser Focused on the Production Line of the Future

Episode 17 - Xenith: Football helmet technology that is changing the game for athletes

48 - Dallara: Engineering the future of motorsports

Episode 42 - NanoVoxel: Taking tiny 3D printing to the next level

Episode 25 - AMRC: The Robots Saving Lives in Danger Zones

Episode 24 - Roam: Electrifying Africa’s Mobility

Episode 23 - Triumph: Iconic Motorcycles Which Were the Choice of Steve McQueen and James Bond

Episode 22 - OX Delivers: The World’s First Clean-transport Ecosystem Transforming Lives in Rwanda

Episode 19 - Education in Engineering: The Student Who Built a Surgical Robot Arm

Episode 15 - RealWear: Assisted reality is saving time and lives on the frontline

Episode 14 - Withings: Smart Health-tech Putting Your Health Back in Your Hands

Episode 13 - EVBox: Charging into an electric future

Episode 11 - Occuity: The Future of Health Lies Behind Our Eyes

Episode 9 - PAL-V: Flying Cars Become a Reality

Creo Tips and Techniques Webcast Series (West)

Creo Tips & Techniques Webcast Series (East)