#CAD integration

[techdriveplay]

HP SitePrint Launches in Australia to Boost Construction Industry Productivity 

Today HP Inc announced the availability of HP SitePrint in Australia, following a successful general availability in five regions with a proven track record across North America and Europe. HP SitePrint is a robotic solution that prints the most complex construction site layouts with pinpoint accuracy, empowering construction pros with up to ten times the productivity of traditional chalk-line…

[prototechsolutionsblog]

CAD Automation: Redefining the Design Landscape for Success

In the world of modern engineering and design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has revolutionized the way products are conceived, developed, and manufactured. As technology continues to advance, CAD automation emerges as a key player in enhancing design efficiency and fostering innovation. This blog post delves into the realm of CAD automation, exploring its significance, benefits, challenges, and potential future trends.

 Understanding CAD Automation

CAD automation refers to the process of utilizing software tools and scripts to streamline various aspects of the design process. It involves automating repetitive tasks, generating complex designs, and facilitating seamless collaboration between designers and engineers. The goal of CAD automation is to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, improve consistency, and accelerate the overall design cycle.

 Significance of CAD Automation

 1. Efficiency Enhancement:

Automating routine and time-consuming tasks, such as dimensioning, detailing, and generating drawings, allows designers and engineers to allocate more time to creative and high-value tasks. This not only accelerates the design process but also increases productivity and reduces the risk of human errors.

 2. Design Iteration and Optimization:

Automation tools enable rapid design iteration. Designers can easily generate variations of a concept, test different parameters, and evaluate multiple scenarios. This iterative process aids in identifying the most optimal design solution and fosters innovation.

 3. Consistency and Standardization:

CAD automation enforces design standards and guidelines consistently across projects. This ensures that designs adhere to industry best practices and regulatory requirements, reducing the chances of errors caused by deviations from standards.

 4. Complex Geometry and Customization:

Automated scripts and parametric modeling techniques enable the creation of intricate and complex geometries that might be challenging to achieve manually. Additionally, automation allows for easy customization of designs to meet specific customer requirements.

 5. Collaboration and Communication:

CAD automation tools facilitate seamless collaboration between cross-functional teams. Design modifications, updates, and feedback can be efficiently communicated and integrated into the design process, enhancing teamwork and reducing communication gaps.

 Benefits of CAD Automation

 1. Time Savings:

Automating repetitive tasks drastically reduces the time required for design and drafting. This leads to faster project completion and quicker time-to-market for products.

 2. Error Reduction:

Human errors are inevitable in manual tasks, but automation significantly reduces the risk. Consistent and standardized designs generated by automation tools mitigate the chances of costly mistakes.

 3. Innovation Encouragement:

By handling routine tasks, designers can focus on exploring innovative design concepts and pushing boundaries. This results in more creative and inventive solutions.

 4. Cost Efficiency:

Efficient design processes translate to cost savings. Reduced design time, fewer errors, and optimized designs contribute to lower production costs.

 5. Enhanced Quality:

Automation tools ensure that designs adhere to defined standards, leading to higher-quality outputs that meet or exceed customer expectations.

 Challenges of CAD Automation

While CAD automation offers numerous benefits, it's important to acknowledge the challenges that come with its implementation:

 1. Initial Setup Complexity:

Developing and implementing automation scripts requires specialized skills and time. Setting up an automation workflow can be complex and resource-intensive.

 2. Maintenance and Updates:

Automation workflows need continuous monitoring and updates to remain effective. Changes in design requirements or software updates may necessitate adjustments to the automation process.

 3. Skill Requirements:

CAD automation demands a certain level of programming and scripting skills. Not all design professionals possess these skills, which might lead to a skill gap within the team.

 4. Balancing Automation and Creativity:

While automation improves efficiency, there's a concern that excessive automation might stifle creativity. Striking the right balance is crucial to ensure that designers still have the freedom to innovate.

 Future Trends in CAD Automation

The future of CAD automation holds exciting possibilities:

 1. AI-Powered Design Generation:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could play a significant role in generating design concepts based on user inputs and requirements. This could lead to the rapid creation of diverse design options.

 2. Cloud-Based Collaboration:

Collaboration tools and CAD software are likely to move towards the cloud, enabling real-time collaboration between team members regardless of their geographical location.

 3. Integration with Simulation and Analysis:

Automation could seamlessly integrate design with simulation and analysis tools, allowing for quicker evaluation of design performance and optimization.

 4. Generative Design Evolution:

Generative design algorithms, driven by AI, could become more advanced, producing complex designs that consider multiple variables and constraints.

 Conclusion

CAD automation is transforming the design landscape by freeing designers from repetitive tasks, empowering them to innovate, and enhancing design efficiency. While challenges exist, the benefits of CAD automation outweigh the drawbacks, and the continuous evolution of technology promises even greater possibilities in the future. Embracing CAD automation can position design teams at the forefront of innovation and efficiency in the rapidly evolving engineering and manufacturing industries.

ProtoTech Solutions' journey into the realm of CAD automation is a testament to the transformative power of technology. Their commitment to streamlining design processes, fostering innovation, and embracing the future sets an inspiring example for the entire design and engineering community. As ProtoTech Solutions continues to pioneer advancements in CAD automation, the design landscape stands poised for a future of unprecedented efficiency, creativity, and collaboration.

[kiaktuell]

Neue Online-Plattformen bieten spezialisierte KI-Weiterbildungen für das Gesundheitswesen an

Die Digitalisierung des Gesundheitswesens schreitet unaufhaltsam voran, und Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) spielt dabei eine Schlüsselrolle. Um den wachsenden Anforderungen an Fachkräfte im Gesundheitswesen gerecht zu werden, entstehen immer mehr spezialisierte Online-Plattformen, die gezielte Weiterbildungsangebote im Bereich KI bereitstellen. Diese innovativen Lernformate bieten den Mitarbeitenden…

[blurbs-io]

🐔 or 🥚❓

Missile 🚀

ATV 🛺

Anti-flood Drone(redux)

Automaton 🤖

[systraytechnologie]

Revolutionizing Industries with Advanced Robotic Services

In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards automation and robotics in various industries. From manufacturing to healthcare, robotics technology has been continually advancing, providing more efficient and cost-effective solutions for businesses worldwide. At Systray Technologies, we are at the forefront of this technological revolution, offering cutting-edge Advanced Robotic Services that are revolutionizing industries.

Our Advanced Robotic Services are designed to streamline processes, increase productivity, and improve overall operational efficiency. By integrating robotics into various aspects of your business, you can automate repetitive tasks, reduce human error, and ultimately enhance the quality of your products or services.

One of the key benefits of our Advanced Robotic Services is the ability to adapt to a wide range of industries and applications. Whether you are looking to optimize your production line, improve precision in the medical field, or enhance safety in hazardous environments, our robotic solutions can be customized to meet your specific needs.

In addition to efficiency and productivity gains, incorporating robotics into your business operations can also lead to cost savings in the long run. By reducing labor costs and minimizing waste, you can improve your bottom line and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Moreover, our Advanced Robotic Services can help improve workplace safety by taking on hazardous or repetitive tasks that may pose a risk to human workers. This can not only reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents but also boost employee morale and satisfaction.

Furthermore, our robotics technology is constantly evolving, with ongoing research and development to ensure that we are at the forefront of innovation in the field. This means that our clients can benefit from the latest advancements in robotics technology, staying ahead of the curve and future-proofing their businesses.

At Systray Technologies, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the competition and embracing new technologies to drive business growth. Our Advanced Robotic Services are tailored to help businesses of all sizes and industries realize their full potential, optimize their operations, and achieve their goals.

For More Details:

Email: sales@systraytechnologies.com Phone: +1 214 501 9570

[funstealer]

Wing-chair by Range Murata Fa Documenta - 001+002 Collection Catalouge

"This item was the first challenge in the furniture genre. It was designed using CAD drawings and CG simulations and even involved overseas production. Although it is inspired by the wings of an airplane, the integration of wood and iron, as well as the functionality and structure of reclining, are extremely complex. Currently, we are looking for manufacturers capable of solving these challenges."

[carlyraejepsans]

If you are going to make a game here’s some things that might be helpful!

Game engines:

Godot: very new dev friendly and it’s free. Has its own programming language (GDscript) but also supports C#. It’s best for 2D games but it can do 3D also.

Unity: I don’t even know if I should be recommending Unity. It has caused me much pain and the suffering. But Unity has an incredible amount of guides and tutorials. And once you get the hang of something it’s hard to get caught on the same thing again. It also has a great Visual Studio integration and uses C#. I will warn you the unity animator is where all dreams go to die. It’s a tedious process but you can probably get some plugins to help with that.

Unreal: Don’t use it unless you’re building a very large or very detailed 3D game. It also uses C++ which is hell.

Renpy: Made for visual novels but has support for small mini games. It only supports Python iirc. Basically if you’re making a VN it’s renpy all the way otherwise you should look elsewhere.

What to learn: Game design and how to act as your own game designer. As a designer you need to know if a part of your game isn’t meshing with the rest of it and be willing to give up that part if needed. Also sound design is very important as well. If you want to make your own sounds audacity is perfect for recording and cutting up your clips. If you want to find sound effects I recommend freesound.org and the YouTube royalty free music database.

Sadly I can’t recommend a lot of places to learn this stuff because I’m taking Game Development in Uni. So most of my info comes from my lectures and stuff. One of my game design textbooks is pretty good but it’s around $40 CAD. It’s called the game designers playbook by Samantha Stahlke and Pejman Mirza-Babaei if you’re interested (fun fact there’s a photo of Toriel in there)

Anyway sorry for dumping this large ask on you I’m just really passionate about game design and I like to see other people get into it.

please do not apologize I'd never heard half of this stuff so this is super useful!! I've seen some godot tutorials on YouTube although so far I've played around with RPG maker MV (it was on sale. very very fiddly interface, i had trouble getting around it) and gamemaker, which recently became free for non-commercial use (a lot more approachable on first impact but like i said, haven't really done anything substantial in either yet).

mostly, I'm still in the super vague stage. I've got an idea for the main story conflict, the protagonist and their foil, the general aesthetic i want to go for (likely 2D graphics, but it would be cool to make like. small cutscenes in low-poly 3D) but not much else. haven't exactly decided on the gameplay either! it's gonna necessarily be rpg-esque, but I'm not much of a fan of classic turn-based combat so. I'm gonna check out other games and see if i can frankenstein anything cooler :P

[yuri-game-tournament]

Yuri VN and Game Tourney S2: Round One

Fatal Twelve vs Yuri University

Info and propaganda under the cut! Not guaranteed to be spoiler-free

Fatal Twelve

Description/Propaganda:

not sure if it counts as strictly yuri (there's m/f in the supporting cast i believe) but the romance between the female mc and her friend is an absolutely integral part of the plot.

it's a death game type of story, but it's uniquely sympathetic to all its characters. the premise stands out from the rest of its genre in that all participants have died already, but had their deaths temporarily reversed by the goddess. when a participant is eliminated, their death occurs as it did before her intervention, and the winner of the game gets to be permanently revived by her.

you will probably cry. i think about mishima miharu a lot she is a miserable lesbian and i want her to be happy

Content Warnings/Other Info: major warning for death. there's also suicidal ideation and i believe past sexual abuse is discussed. Available on Switch, Steam, PS4, and GOG (Windows, Mac, Linux) for $25.99 CAD ($53.19 on Switch)

Yuri University

Description/Propaganda:

This game is actually still in progress, but you can download it for free from itch.io and it's still got enough content to feel like it could be a full complete game already (albeit a shorter game). Your character is just starting college and recently came out as lesbian. She's never been in a relationship but is eager to gain some experiences in this new situation. You end up living in a dorm with five other girls, including your best friend from highschool (you've never met the others though).

Right away you (the character, not you the player) realize that this is a great setting as your roommates are all attractive and sex positive and even the one character who thinks she's straight comes to realize that she's at least bi-curious and still learning things about herself.

The game presents a very positive and empowering queer narrative, with a lot of emphasis on consent and acceptance of self. Not exactly the most realistic depiction because pretty everyone is extremely sex positive and you never really need to deal with homophobia. But if you're looking for some queer wish fulfillment it's great for that. There are also some side characters in addition to your roommates who have some content, including positive trans and nonbinary representation.

Again, this is happy fluffy (sexy) feelings all the way through, no angst to be found. So come to this game for a good time, not a deep thought provoking time.

Content Warnings/Other Info: Explicit sex scenes, group sex scenes, consensual exhibitionism/voyeurism, all characters are over 18 but one could be mistaken for younger, mild bdsm. Free on itch.io

[pursuitofeverything]

The Importance of Proper Academic Conduct

Word count: ~5k

In which Rook recounts a misadventure of his youth, Emmrich gets a little flustered, and nothing in particular actually happens.

Link here.

Look, I am entirely new to this and have no idea what I'm doing but I typed some words and after weeks of tweaking sentences entirely unnecessarily (usually making them worse) I have just put it up on ao3.

Snippet below:

"You see, the Tevinter history teacher was a real glory-of-the-empire sort. The kind who would refer to elves as a breed, who might hold his nose as I passed, who marked much more generously for any paper which endorsed his own views, irrespective of research or references.”

“The cad!” Emmrich cried before he could stop himself. He coughed, lightly, “To treat you such.”

Rook grinned indulgently, “And such disregard for the sacred art of research integrity and effective citation.”

Emmrich’s face was too red to effectively deny which infraction had triggered his outburst. He could see Neve and Harding poorly suppressing their laughter, but worse was the pity on Bellara’s face at his faux pas. Still, Rook’s grin at his discomfort stirred something else, which only deepened his mortification.

“Well, I…” he stammered, embarrassment rendering his mouth too dry for fluent speech.

“Unabashed racism is one thing,” Rook teased, mimicking Emmrich’s florid gestures with practised ease, “but I quite draw the line at bias in academic assessment.”

“Some of my star pupils have been elves!” Davrin had taken up the baton and was sprinting mercilessly through the field of his humiliation.

[prototechsolutionsblog]

Unveiling the Power of 3D Visualization: Revolutionizing Engineering Applications

In the world of engineering, complex concepts and intricate designs often require effective means of communication to convey ideas, identify potential issues, and foster innovation. 3D visualization has emerged as a powerful tool that not only aids in comprehending intricate engineering concepts but also fuels creativity and enhances collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. This blog dives deep into the realm of 3D visualization for engineering applications, exploring its benefits, applications, and the technologies driving its evolution.

 The Power of 3D Visualization

1. Enhanced Understanding: Traditional 2D drawings and diagrams can sometimes fall short in capturing the full complexity of engineering designs. 3D visualization empowers engineers, architects, and designers to create realistic and immersive representations of their ideas. This level of detail allows stakeholders to grasp concepts more easily and make informed decisions.

2. Identification of Design Flaws: One of the primary advantages of 3D visualization is its ability to identify potential design flaws before physical prototyping begins. Engineers can simulate real-world conditions, test stress points, and analyze the behavior of components in various scenarios. This process saves both time and resources that would have been wasted on rectifying issues post-construction.

3. Efficient Communication: When working on multidisciplinary projects, effective communication is essential. 3D visualization simplifies the sharing of ideas by presenting a clear visual representation of the design. This reduces the chances of misinterpretation and encourages productive discussions among team members from diverse backgrounds.

4. Innovation and Creativity: 3D visualization fosters creativity by enabling engineers to experiment with different design variations quickly. This flexibility encourages out-of-the-box thinking and exploration of unconventional ideas, leading to innovative solutions that might not have been considered otherwise.

5. Client Engagement: For projects involving clients or stakeholders who might not have technical expertise, 3D visualization serves as a bridge between complex engineering concepts and layman understanding. Clients can visualize the final product, making it easier to align their expectations with the project's goals.

 Applications of 3D Visualization in Engineering

1. Architectural Visualization: In architectural engineering, 3D visualization brings blueprints to life, allowing architects to present realistic walkthroughs of structures before construction. This helps clients visualize the final appearance and make informed decisions about design elements.

2. Product Design and Prototyping: Engineers can use 3D visualization to create virtual prototypes of products, enabling them to analyze the functionality, ergonomics, and aesthetics. This process accelerates the design iteration phase and reduces the number of physical prototypes required.

3. Mechanical Engineering: For mechanical systems, 3D visualization aids in simulating motion, stress analysis, and assembly processes. Engineers can identify interferences, optimize part arrangements, and predict system behavior under different conditions.

4. Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Projects: From bridges to roadways, 3D visualization facilitates the planning and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects. Engineers can simulate traffic flow, assess environmental impacts, and optimize structural design for safety and efficiency.

5. Aerospace and Automotive Engineering: In these industries, intricate designs and high-performance requirements demand rigorous testing. 3D visualization allows engineers to simulate aerodynamics, structural integrity, and other critical factors before manufacturing.

 Technologies Driving 3D Visualization

1. Computer-Aided Design (CAD): CAD software forms the foundation of 3D visualization. It enables engineers to create detailed digital models of components and systems. Modern CAD tools offer parametric design, enabling quick modifications and iterative design processes.

2. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR technologies enhance the immersive experience of 3D visualization. VR headsets enable users to step into a digital environment, while AR overlays digital content onto the real world, making it ideal for on-site inspections and maintenance tasks.

3. Simulation Software: Simulation tools allow engineers to analyze how a design will behave under various conditions. Finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations help predict stress, heat transfer, and fluid flow, enabling design optimization.

4. Rendering Engines: Rendering engines create photorealistic images from 3D models, enhancing visualization quality. These engines simulate lighting, materials, and textures, providing a lifelike representation of the design.

 Future Trends and Challenges

As technology evolves, so will the field of 3D visualization for engineering applications. Here are some anticipated trends and challenges:

1. Real-time Collaboration: With the rise of cloud-based tools, engineers worldwide can collaborate on 3D models in real time. This facilitates global teamwork and accelerates project timelines.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration: AI could enhance 3D visualization by automating design tasks, predicting failure points, and generating design alternatives based on predefined criteria.

3. Data Integration: Integrating real-time data from sensors and IoT devices into 3D models will enable engineers to monitor performance, identify anomalies, and implement preventive maintenance strategies.

4. Ethical Considerations: As 3D visualization tools become more sophisticated, ethical concerns might arise regarding the potential misuse of manipulated visualizations to deceive stakeholders or obscure design flaws.

In conclusion, 3D visualization is transforming the engineering landscape by enhancing understanding, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation. From architectural marvels to cutting-edge technological advancements, 3D visualization empowers engineers to push the boundaries of what is possible. As technology continues to advance, the future of engineering will undoubtedly be shaped by the dynamic capabilities of 3D visualization.

[ms-demeanor]

As I understand it you work in enterprise computer acquisitions?

TL;DR What's the general vibe for AI accelerating CPUs in the enterprise world for client compute?

Have you had any requests from your clients to help them upgrade their stuff to Core Ultra/Whateverthefuck Point with the NPUs? Or has the corporate world generally shown resistance rather than acquiescence to the wave of the future? I'm so sorry for phrasing it like that I had no idea how else to say that without using actual marketing buzzwords and also keeping it interesting to read.

I know in the enterprise, on-die neural acceleration has been ruining panties the world over (Korea's largest hyperscaler even opted for Intel Sapphire Rapids CPUs over Nvidia's Hopper GPUs due to poor supply and not super worth it for them specifically uplift in inference performance which was all that they really cared about), and I'm personally heavily enticed by the new NPU packing processors from both Team Red and Team We Finally Fucking Started Using Chiplets Are You Happy Now (though in large part for the integrated graphics). But I'm really curious to know, are actual corporate acquisitions folks scooping up the new AI-powered hotness to automagically blur giant pink dildos from the backgrounds of Zoom calls, or is it perceived more as a marketing fad at the moment (a situation I'm sure will change in the next year or so once OpenVINO finds footing outside of Audacity and fucking GIMP)?

So sorry for the extremely long, annoying, and tangent-laden ask, hope the TL;DR helps.

Ninety eight percent of our end users use their computers for email and browser stuff exclusively; the other two percent use CAD in relatively low-impact ways so none of them appear to give a shit about increasing their processing power in a really serious way.

Like, corporately speaking the heavy shit you're dealing with is going to be databases and math and computers are pretty good at dealing with those even on hardware from the nineties.

When Intel pitched the sapphire processors to us in May of 2023 the only discussion on AI was about improving performance for AI systems and deep learning applications, NOT using on-chip AI to speed things up.

The were discussing their "accelerators," not AI and in the webinar I attended it was mostly a conversation about the performance benefits of dynamic load balancing and talking about how different "acclerators" would redistribute processing power. This writeup from Intel in 2022 shows how little AI was part of the discussion for Sapphire Rapids.

In August of 2023, this was the marketing email for these processors:

So. Like. The processors are better. But AI is a marketing buzzword.

And yeah every business that I deal with has no use for the hot shit; we're still getting bronze and silver processors and having zero problems, though I work exclusively with businesses with under 500 employees.

Most of the demand that I see from my customers is "please can you help us limp this fifteen year old SAN along for another budget cycle?"

[andmaybegayer]

This is very interesting: a novel CAD package built on a text based file format that should allow you to check files into version control and automate tasks, plus a geometry engine optimized for GPU compute.

It's also got some noteworthy backers, the appeal of this is obvious to anyone who has ever tried to integrate CAD into a larger workflow, it takes a lot of manual shunting of files and tagging of releases and fighting with export formats, even with all the features SolidWorks and Inventor and SolidEdge have added over the years.

It's not parametric, of course, because that's a totally different approach to modelling that's much harder to automate this way. I'm not sure if that's reasonably possible without just doing SVG bullshit.

There's an LLM powered Text To CAD thing where you are meant to be able to just describe an object and get back the CAD for it but at least for now it can only do things that are relatively simple, it feels a little like a crutch to deal with how slow generating simple parts through code CAD can be. Defining an I-beam parametrically is the kind of thing you can do basically without thinking. I guess you'd probably want to have a library of parametrically defined common parts to pull from once you've been doing this for five minutes.

Close but no cigar! It does get the flange and web the right way around. Using inches because I assume it's trained in Freedomheit.

They're keeping their geometry solver closed source, but I'd be interested to see if declarative cad like this takes off in industry, it's a slow moving space but hardware design is increasingly available to startups and small businesses who might be willing to throw away a lot of old CAD philosophy.

A lot of industry uses constructive CAD like this, the US military has BRL-CAD. Never could get my head around it.

[commodorez]

What kind of work can be done on a commodore 64 or those other old computers? The tech back then was extremely limited but I keep seeing portable IBMs and such for office guys.

I asked a handful of friends for good examples, and while this isn't an exhaustive list, it should give you a taste.

I'll lean into the Commodore 64 as a baseline for what era to hone in one, let's take a look at 1982 +/-5 years.

A C64 can do home finances, spreadsheets, word processing, some math programming, and all sorts of other other basic productivity work. Games were the big thing you bought a C64 for, but we're not talking about games here -- we're talking about work. I bought one that someone used to write and maintain a local user group newsletter on both a C64C and C128D for years, printing labels and letters with their own home equipment, mailing floppies full of software around, that sorta thing.

IBM PCs eventually became capable of handling computer aided design (CAD) work, along with a bunch of other standard productivity software. The famous AutoCAD was mostly used on this platform, but it began life on S-100 based systems from the 1970s.

Spreadsheets were a really big deal for some platforms. Visicalc was the killer app that the Apple II can credit its initial success with. Many other platforms had clones of Visicalc (and eventually ports) because it was groundbreaking to do that sort of list-based mathematical work so quickly, and so error-free. I can't forget to mention Lotus 1-2-3 on the IBM PC compatibles, a staple of offices for a long time before Microsoft Office dominance.

CP/M machines like Kaypro luggables were an inexpensive way of making a "portable" productivity box, handling some of the lighter tasks mentioned above (as they had no graphics functionality).

The TRS-80 Model 100 was able to do alot of computing (mostly word processing) on nothing but a few AA batteries. They were a staple of field correspondence for newspaper journalists because they had an integrated modem. They're little slabs of computer, but they're awesomely portable, and great for writing on the go. Everyone you hear going nuts over cyberdecks gets that because of the Model 100.

Centurion minicomputers were mostly doing finances and general ledger work for oil companies out of Texas, but were used for all sorts of other comparable work. They were multi-user systems, running several terminals and atleast one printer on one central database. These were not high-performance machines, but entire offices were built around them.

Tandy, Panasonic, Sharp, and other brands of pocket computers were used for things like portable math, credit, loan, etc. calculation for car dealerships. Aircraft calculations, replacing slide rules were one other application available on cassette. These went beyond what a standard pocket calculator could do without a whole lot of extra work.

Even something like the IBM 5340 with an incredibly limited amount of RAM but it could handle tracking a general ledger, accounts receivable, inventory management, storing service orders for your company. Small bank branches uses them because they had peripherals that could handle automatic reading of the magnetic ink used on checks. Boring stuff, but important stuff.

I haven't even mentioned Digital Equipment Corporation, Data General, or a dozen other manufacturers.

I'm curious which portable IBM you were referring to initially.

All of these examples are limited by today's standards, but these were considered standard or even top of the line machines at the time. If you write software to take advantage of the hardware you have, however limited, you can do a surprising amount of work on a computer of that era.

[drossna]

caduceus lvl.20 redesign i did ages ago but forgot to post

copious amounts of design notes under the cut

tl;dr: my goal with this redesign was to create a coherent design consistent with his previous art, improved enough to hopefully read as lvl.20, but still practical enough to serve as actual adventuring clothes

okay anyways so watch how autistic i can be about caduceus

i wasn't satisfied with caduceus's lvl.20 design. i'm not entirely sure how that design happened. to be fair, critrole designs have never been consistent, but lvl.20 cad abandons nearly every key aspects of cad's design. it drives me batty

why is his hair so straight and pale and dead. why is he draped in so much brown. how do those wing-skirt things work. why does his staff... look like that. like its gonna explode into toothpicks at the first use. why is there honey. why is the gold of his shield so bright. what is the rope on his shoulders for

i mean, who knows what goes on in the critrole art development process. my personal theory is that they continue to design these characters as personal ocs and not as official characters in a huge multimedia franchise, and their personal choices trump all, design considerations be damned. like, i cant really judge. i have the privilege to make whatever choices i want when drawing. i answer to no one. i could tell taliesin jaffe to go fuck himself. yknow. if i wanted to die

regardless, i dont hate everything about the lvl.20 design. i appreciate that it brought back his swirl-patterned pants, but the entire core of his design is so busy with shit that it becomes a problem

i tried to preserve cad's key aspects as much as i could in my redesign, as well as incorporate aspects i enjoyed most from each design. for example, i really like the idea of the goliath beetle armour in lvl.20 cad, but i tinted the black shell towards blue to match cad's signature teal green.

I also tried to create a palette consistent with his previous designs. teal should always be his primary colour, with pink being the most prominent accent. after that, anything thats analogous to those two is gravy. for real, i am begging critrole to at least keep consistent palettes, because this is a problem for most of their designs

my choice to include the red cords is inspired by the winter cad design as well as one of fjord's earlier designs (side note: most of fjord's designs are pretty great; he's the most consistently on-par)

i enjoy drawing aesthetic parallels between connected characters. on that note, the swirly jade earring is a gift from beau :3 because they're fun earring buddies

speaking of cad's winter design, the design sheet showed a lot of asian influence (thats mostly covered by the cloak) and i will take any excuse to add asian influence to a design. the first two tunics below were my main reference for my own tunic choice

the knots on the cords are specifically chinese knot art. the largest knot at his waist is a plate knot which can symbolize the cyclical nature of life and death, and the knot on his cape is a brocade knot which can symbolize (re)unity. i thought these concepts were in-line with cad's general philosophy and the wildmother's teachings. also, the brocade knot acts as his holy symbol with a crook-shaped pin woven through the cord. i really fuck with holy symbols being integrated into a design rather than just slapped on somewhere

lightning round design notes:

the fraying woven material is witch hair moss, which i imagine could be made very soft and warm. this is my version of the neutral-coloured flynet cape in the fourth design

i brought back the iconic pink lichen

i simplied the staff again. my way of visually portraying a growth in power is that the one wooden hand has transformed into many hands grasping the crystal, which is also a representation of cad widening his social circle and of the nein in general

cad curly hair and beard so important to me

cad wide nose so important to me

final note:

the pose i chose for caduceus was very intentional. while cad looks great in a power pose, i feel like it doesnt suit his character. his power isnt so confrontational. his power is quiet and gentle and humble and inevitable. he doesnt need to show off. he's just chilling. i love this dumb silly man

and for the record, while i consider cad to be the worst lvl.20 design, jester is a guaranteed second place. very tempted to redesign her as well, because mature-but-frilly pirate lolita is right up my alley

[dekhocampus11]

National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT], Bangalore

Overview

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bangalore, is one of the most prominent and renowned fashion design colleges in India. As part of the NIFT network, the Bangalore campus is known for offering high-quality education, advanced infrastructure, and a strong reputation in the field of fashion and design. The institute offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs that equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of fashion.

NIFT Bangalore has carved a niche for itself in the field of fashion education, nurturing future leaders, designers, and innovators in the global fashion industry. Its emphasis on creativity, innovation, and industry-relevant skills makes it one of the top choices for students aspiring to build a career in fashion and design.

Location and Infrastructure

NIFT Bangalore is located in the heart of the city, offering easy access to the vibrant and evolving fashion and retail industry. The campus itself is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that cater to the practical and creative needs of the students. The infrastructure includes:

Design Studios are equipped with the latest technology and resources for fashion design, pattern making, draping, and garment construction.

Computer Labs offer advanced software for design, pattern making, and fashion visualization, including CAD, 3D modeling, and other industry-standard tools.

Library: A vast collection of fashion design and industry-related books, journals, and research materials.

Workshops and Laboratories: Students can learn about the practical aspects of the fashion industry, such as fabric dyeing, embroidery, and printing, in these spaces.

The campus also has other student amenities like sports facilities, hostels, and recreational spaces that foster a conducive environment for holistic learning.

Courses Offered

NIFT Bangalore offers various programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, each aimed at shaping the skills and knowledge of students for careers in the fashion industry. The courses offered include:

Undergraduate Programs:

Bachelor of Design (B.Des): Specializations include Fashion Design, Textile Design, and Accessory Design.

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.FTech): A program focusing on the technical aspects of fashion, including production, textiles, and apparel manufacturing.

Postgraduate Programs:

Master of Design (M.Des): For students seeking a deeper understanding of design theory, research, and innovation.

The Master of Fashion Management (MFM) program focuses on the business, marketing, and management aspects of the fashion industry.

The Master of Fashion Technology (M.FTech) program is designed for individuals pursuing a career in fashion and textiles that emphasizes technical and engineering skills.

The curriculum is regularly updated to stay in line with industry standards, ensuring that students are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. Practical exposure and internships with leading fashion houses and retail brands are also integral components of the courses.

Faculty and Expertise

NIFT Bangalore boasts a highly qualified and experienced faculty that includes industry professionals, academicians, and designers. The faculty’s diverse backgrounds in both academia and industry ensure that students are exposed to the most relevant concepts and real-world practices. This combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience ensures that graduates of NIFT Bangalore are ready to meet the challenges of the competitive fashion industry.

Industry Connections and Internships

NIFT Bangalore has strong industry connections with top fashion houses, retailers, textile companies, and design studios, which play a crucial role in providing students with real-world exposure. Through internships, industry visits, and live projects, students gain valuable insights into the latest trends, business practices, and technologies in fashion.

Students have the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, gaining exposure to global fashion markets, working with designers, learning from manufacturers, and even participating in fashion shows and exhibitions. These connections significantly enhance employability and provide a strong network for future job placements.

Placements and Career Opportunities

NIFT Bangalore has a solid placement record, with students being recruited by leading fashion brands, design studios, retail giants, and global companies in various roles such as:

Fashion Designer

Textile Designer

Fashion Merchandiser

Fashion Consultant

Brand Manager

Apparel Production Manager

The institute has a dedicated placement cell that assists students in securing internships and full-time employment. Its strong industry connections, combined with a focus on skill development, ensure that graduates are well-prepared for the competitive job market.

Extracurricular Activities and Events

NIFT Bangalore is not just about academics; it also offers students a platform to showcase their talents through extracurricular activities. These activities include fashion shows, design competitions, cultural events, and workshops. The annual NIFT Bangalore Fashion Show is a highlight of the academic calendar, where students get the chance to display their collections and designs to a wider audience.

Additionally, the institute organizes events like seminars, workshops, and exhibitions, where students can interact with industry experts, gain knowledge, and enhance their skill sets. This fosters a creative and stimulating environment, encouraging students to think innovatively.

Conclusion

NIFT Bangalore stands as a leading institution for students seeking to carve a niche in the fashion and design industry. With its excellent infrastructure, top-notch faculty, industry connections, and diverse programs, NIFT Bangalore provides students with the best possible platform to succeed in the dynamic world of fashion. Whether you're interested in design, technology, or management, NIFT Bangalore offers an education that prepares you for a successful and fulfilling career.

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CNC development history and processing principles

CNC machine tools are also called Computerized Numerical Control (CNC for short). They are mechatronics products that use digital information to control machine tools. They record the relative position between the tool and the workpiece, the start and stop of the machine tool, the spindle speed change, the workpiece loosening and clamping, the tool selection, the start and stop of the cooling pump and other operations and sequence actions on the control medium with digital codes, and then send the digital information to the CNC device or computer, which will decode and calculate, issue instructions to control the machine tool servo system or other actuators, so that the machine tool can process the required workpiece.

‌1. The evolution of CNC technology: from mechanical gears to digital codes

The Beginning of Mechanical Control (late 19th century - 1940s)

The prototype of CNC technology can be traced back to the invention of mechanical automatic machine tools in the 19th century. In 1887, the cam-controlled lathe invented by American engineer Herman realized "programmed" processing for the first time by rotating cams to drive tool movement. Although this mechanical programming method is inefficient, it provides a key idea for subsequent CNC technology. During World War II, the surge in demand for military equipment accelerated the innovation of processing technology, but the processing capacity of traditional machine tools for complex parts had reached a bottleneck.

The electronic revolution (1950s-1970s)

After World War II, manufacturing industries mostly relied on manual operations. After workers understood the drawings, they manually operated machine tools to process parts. This way of producing products was costly, inefficient, and the quality was not guaranteed. In 1952, John Parsons' team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed the world's first CNC milling machine, which input instructions through punched paper tape, marking the official birth of CNC technology. The core breakthrough of this stage was "digital signals replacing mechanical transmission" - servo motors replaced gears and connecting rods, and code instructions replaced manual adjustments. In the 1960s, the popularity of integrated circuits reduced the size and cost of CNC systems. Japanese companies such as Fanuc launched commercial CNC equipment, and the automotive and aviation industries took the lead in introducing CNC production lines. 

Integration of computer technology (1980s-2000s)

With the maturity of microprocessor and graphical interface technology, CNC entered the PC control era. In 1982, Siemens of Germany launched the first microprocessor-based CNC system Sinumerik 800, whose programming efficiency was 100 times higher than that of paper tape. The integration of CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software allows engineers to directly convert 3D models into machining codes, and the machining accuracy of complex surfaces reaches the micron level. During this period, equipment such as five-axis linkage machining centers came into being, promoting the rapid development of mold manufacturing and medical device industries.

Intelligence and networking (21st century to present)

The Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies have given CNC machine tools new vitality. Modern CNC systems use sensors to monitor parameters such as cutting force and temperature in real time, and use machine learning to optimize processing paths. For example, the iSMART Factory solution of Japan's Mazak Company achieves intelligent scheduling of hundreds of machine tools through cloud collaboration. In 2023, the global CNC machine tool market size has exceeded US$80 billion, and China has become the largest manufacturing country with a production share of 31%.

2. CNC machining principles: How code drives steel

The essence of CNC technology is to convert the physical machining process into a control closed loop of digital signals. Its operation logic can be divided into three stages:

Geometric Modeling and Programming

After building a 3D model using CAD software such as UG and SolidWorks, CAM software “deconstructs” the model: automatically calculating parameters such as tool path, feed rate, spindle speed, and generating G code (such as G01 X100 Y200 F500 for linear interpolation to coordinates (100,200) and feed rate 500mm/min). Modern software can even simulate the material removal process and predict machining errors.

Numerical control system analysis and implementation

The "brain" of CNC machine tools - the numerical control system (such as Fanuc 30i, Siemens 840D) converts G codes into electrical pulse signals. Taking a three-axis milling machine as an example, the servo motors of the X/Y/Z axes receive pulse commands and convert rotary motion into linear displacement through ball screws, with a positioning accuracy of up to ±0.002mm. The closed-loop control system uses a grating ruler to feedback position errors in real time, forming a dynamic correction mechanism.

Multi-physics collaborative control

During the machining process, the machine tool needs to coordinate multiple parameters synchronously: the spindle motor drives the tool to rotate at a high speed of 20,000 rpm, the cooling system sprays atomized cutting fluid to reduce the temperature, and the tool changing robot completes the tool change within 0.5 seconds. For example, when machining titanium alloy blades, the system needs to dynamically adjust the cutting depth according to the hardness of the material to avoid tool chipping.

‌3. The future of CNC technology: cross-dimensional breakthroughs and industrial transformation

Currently, CNC technology is facing three major trends:

‌Combined‌: Turning and milling machine tools can complete turning, milling, grinding and other processes on one device, reducing clamping time by 90%;

Additive-subtractive integration: Germany's DMG MORI's LASERTEC series machine tools combine 3D printing and CNC finishing to directly manufacture aerospace engine combustion chambers;

‌Digital Twin‌: By using a virtual machine tool to simulate the actual machining process, China's Shenyang Machine Tool's i5 system has increased debugging efficiency by 70%.

From the meshing of mechanical gears to the flow of digital signals, CNC technology has rewritten the underlying logic of the manufacturing industry in 70 years. It is not only an upgrade of machine tools, but also a leap in the ability of humans to transform abstract thinking into physical entities. In the new track of intelligent manufacturing, CNC technology will continue to break through the limits of materials, precision and efficiency, and write a new chapter for industrial civilization.