TopSolid'2007 is now ready to be launched. This newsletter will look at what's new in TopSolid'Design, TopSolid'Cam, TopSolid'Mold, TopSolid'Progress and TopSolid'Wood. To help you better familiarise yourselves with this new version we have created the TopSolid'Forum where you can exchange questions and ideas with TopSolid operators all over the world. (Please see below for further information)

• TopSolid available in 64 bits
• 2D sketcher using sketch lines and constraint solver
• Isolate a part without associativity loss
• Project reparation wizard
• Estimate assistance
• New surface capabilities
• Force calculation on joints

Click here for further information.

One of TopSolid’Cam’s greatest forces is its capacity to manage all machining processes thereby making it one of the only CAM solutions on the market which is able to machine all parts by offering the most suitable machining processes. TopSolid’Cam 2007 offers many new functions to enable companies to reduce machining times, increase product quality and reduce tool costs.

• TopSolid’Cam available in 64 bits
• Movement and simulation in the RTCP mode
• Automatic prevention of collisions in continuous 5 axis machining
• Changes in approach and retract movements without recalculating the tool path
• Management of multi-function tools for lathes/milling machines
• Insert life management for machining of hard materials
• Multi-pocketing to automate 2D programming

Click here for further information.

A fully integrated CAD module, TopSolid’Mold is designed to meet the highly specialized needs of mold makers and tool & die specialists. TopSolid’Mold 2007
offers many new functions to complete the digital process chain for mold makers.

• More extensive preliminary design mode
• Collaborative work
• Parting lines
• Improved molding elements
• Facilitated movement
• Advanced components
• Enriched feeding system
• Management of 64 bits architecture
• TopSolid'Mold in a PDM environment

Click here for further information.

In addition to incorporating all those functions standard to TopSolid, TopSolid'Progress enables the successful blanking of a sheet metal part and the design of the strip in half the time needed by a standard CAD software. Discover the many new functions TopSolid'Progress has to offer:

• Model replacement
• Unstamping on deformed surfaces
• Numerous strip creation improvements
• New definition of punches, dies and die clearing
• Management of wire machining processes
• TopSolid'Progress in a PDM environment
• Management of 64 bits processors

Click here for further information.

TopSolid’Wood 2007 and TopSolid’WoodCam 2007 offer not only increased productivity in design and manufacturing but also eliminate all communication obstacles between research and manufacturing departments.

• Powerful 5 axis molding
• Predefine propagation definitions
• Improved tenon mortises
• Predefined panel models
• Improved edge management
• New multi-draft mode
• Evolved Bills of material

Click here for further information.

Missler Software has just recently launched the International TopSolid Forum, http://forum.topsolid.com. The aim of the forum is to provide a mechanism for users to communicate with each other and it will allow free discussion between TopSolid users all over the world. The new forum, where English is the language of discussion, will enable TopSolid operators to discuss and ask questions to other operators across the globe, without the forum in any way replacing technical support provided by Missler Software and its VAR reseller network.

With more than 8000 operators worldwide, Missler Software hopes to create a community of TopSolid users where the exchange of ideas, tips and experiences are the order of the day.

The forum will be moderated by a number of people both internal and external to Missler Software who will reply to certain questions. However, this is a user forum and Missler Software will not attempt to respond to all questions.

Consultation of the forum is open to all. Discussion is reserved to TopSolid customers. The login and password to the forum have been communicated to all Missler Software VAR resellers. Please contact your local reseller who will communicate these elements to you.

URL: http://forum.topsolid.com

Following on from the success of the 2006 TopSolid Design Contest, Missler Software has decided to launch a new Design Contest for 2007. The Design Contest will be open to all participants from 01 March 2007 until 15 December 2007. Winners will be announced in the December newsletter, published just before Christmas.

The TopSolid Design Contest 2007

The categories: (For all CAD products from the TopSolid family: TopSolid'Design, TopSolid'Wood, TopSolid'Fold, TopSolid'Mold, TopSolid'Electrode, TopSolid'Progress) 

• The Best Design
• The Best Draft
• The Best Kinematics

3 good reasons to enter the TopSolid Design Contest:

• Missler Software will communicate your projects in the monthly newsletter, web site and with professional press around the world.
• Closer contact with the Missler Software development team to listen to the winning customer's needs and recommendations
• The lucky winners (1 from each category) will have a selection of prizes to choose from:

• A state-of-the-art laptop computer
• A smartphone
• An integrated PDA/GPS
• An all expenses paid weekend away for 2
• An Ipod

So go ahead, you can't win unless you're in !!

Click here to enter the Design Contest

TopSolid Design Contest Rules

Eligibility

• Only companies equipped with the TopSolid range of products can participate
• This contest is not open to Missler Software employees, Missler Software subsidiaries or Missler Software VAR resellers.

Inscription obligations:

• Submitted projects must be free of rights (therefore, Missler Software can freely communicate about the project without asking the participant's permission)
• Missler Software will accept one project per company and per category. A company may, however, participate in 3 categories with 3 different projects. 
• Inscriptions will be accepted from 01 March – 15 December 2007.
• Inscriptions will be made from the TopSolid web site www.topsolid.com by filling out the online form and accepting the conditions.
• All inscriptions must include the native TopSolid or TopSolid'Viewer files or high resolution images (see the explanation below) – including all parts, assemblies and plans if necessary. Providing native TopSolid files may help the TopSolid jury to better understand and analyse projects.
• All inscriptions must include at least one project image.* The image must be in a resolution of at least 300 DPI and approximately 2000 x 3000 pixels. Preferred image formats are TIFF, BMP, or JPEG. The image should have a white background.
• For the categories Best Design and Best Draft you can submit up to 3 images with different orientations and views of your project.
  For the Best kinematics category the avi file should not exceed 5 MB (compressed) in size.
  Photos of your projects, finished products and prototypes are welcome and will help the jury in the choice of the Contest winners.
• Projects, images and text sent without using the online inscription form will not be accepted. All text presenting the project with must written correctly (please use complete phrases) and should contain enough information to clearly present the use of TopSolid in the context of the submitted project. (approx. 150-250 words).

* Here is the procedure to save an image using TopSolid:

• With the project open click on File, Save as. Choose “Type of file” Image Bitmap
• Click ok. You will see a dialogue box appear
• Choose 3000 x 2000 pixels
• Choose a resolution of at least 300 DPI
• Save your image on a white background

Winners

Candidate projects will be analysed and judged by a Missler Software jury made up of CAD specialists, Product and Marketing Managers. W inners will be chosen based on the following:

• Technical performance (complexity, interaction between assembly parts and drafts)
• Aesthetic merit (visual clarity, forms)
• Level of innovation
• Level of use of TopSolid in the project

Click here to enter the Design Contest

Some participants of the TopSolid Design Contest 2006:

Giansanti

Berger Sabatel

Dabrigeon

Procopi

Armor Industrie

All Missler Software and reseller trade fairs will be published here each month and can also be found on http://www.topsolid.com/news/shows/showslist.asp