BREAKING NEWS: Siemens Aquires Simulation and Analysis Company Altair For $10.6B
FORMING A NEW ERA and THE SECOND LARGEST CAE-PLAYER IN THE WORLD. Siemens buys the strongly growing software developer in AI, HPC, Simulation & Analysis, Altair Engineering. "The acquisition will create the world's most complete AI-driven design and simulation portfolio - by combining Altair's capabilities in simulation, HPC, data science and AI with the power of Siemens Xcelerator," said Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens AG. Siemens is paying $10.6 billion for Altair.
Through the now announced purchase the world's second largest player in the CAE area is formed. In commercial terms Siemens moves from 4th place among the world's top CAE revenue generators to second place after Ansys. Siemens thus pass both MathWorks and Dassault with totally more than $1.5 billion in annual CAE revenue. Moreover, it will push the PLM divison's total annual revenues up to the €8B level.
So, big things are happening within PLM when the big players are now charging up for the battle for the future. A future that is not only about exponentially growing features of AI, software, electronics, and electricity in today's products, but also about a key technology affecting most of digital product development built on 3D models: Simulation & Analysis (S&A).
When the products of the new era are developed, they do not exist as physical products - but are nowadays virtual (3D) models which in their initial phases exist only in binary numbers, zeros and ones, and really only as "theoretical" digital entities. So how do you ensure functionalities, optimized material choices, durable structures, thermal reactions, fluid dynamics, performance verification, validations, correct IC capabilities, manufacturability and more? S&A tools provide the answers. And in this, Siemens has developed strongly through the purchase of solutions and companies such as CD-adapco (flagship StarCCM+), LMS International (Amesim among others), Mentor Graphics (Integrated Circuits, etc), and more. But also, through strategic investments in developing what was bought into one of the market's broadest CAE platforms, Simcenter, also a part of the Xcelerator portfolio. However, today's deal, which has been rumored for a week or so, goes beyond most of it.
What are they buying? In terms of industry segments, Altair has a strong presence in automotive and transportation, but in recent years, mainly through acquisitions, it has expanded into other segments, such as high-tech electronics, aerospace & defense, medical equipment, and energy. In this, it has gone from being a niche supplier to a global enterprise-class technology company. From its roots in structural analysis software such as Hypermesh, Altair now has software and cloud solutions with well-known brands such as HyperWorks, solidThinking, Inspire, Altair PBS and SmartWorks, among others, in the areas of simulation-driven product development, high-performance computing (HPC) and data intelligence.
Click on the headline to read the full article on PLM&ERP News.
Through the now announced purchase the world's second largest player in the CAE area is formed. In commercial terms Siemens moves from 4th place among the world's top CAE revenue generators to second place after Ansys. Siemens thus pass both MathWorks and Dassault with totally more than $1.5 billion in annual CAE revenue. Moreover, it will push the PLM divison's total annual revenues up to the €8B level.
So, big things are happening within PLM when the big players are now charging up for the battle for the future. A future that is not only about exponentially growing features of AI, software, electronics, and electricity in today's products, but also about a key technology affecting most of digital product development built on 3D models: Simulation & Analysis (S&A).
When the products of the new era are developed, they do not exist as physical products - but are nowadays virtual (3D) models which in their initial phases exist only in binary numbers, zeros and ones, and really only as "theoretical" digital entities. So how do you ensure functionalities, optimized material choices, durable structures, thermal reactions, fluid dynamics, performance verification, validations, correct IC capabilities, manufacturability and more? S&A tools provide the answers. And in this, Siemens has developed strongly through the purchase of solutions and companies such as CD-adapco (flagship StarCCM+), LMS International (Amesim among others), Mentor Graphics (Integrated Circuits, etc), and more. But also, through strategic investments in developing what was bought into one of the market's broadest CAE platforms, Simcenter, also a part of the Xcelerator portfolio. However, today's deal, which has been rumored for a week or so, goes beyond most of it.
What are they buying? In terms of industry segments, Altair has a strong presence in automotive and transportation, but in recent years, mainly through acquisitions, it has expanded into other segments, such as high-tech electronics, aerospace & defense, medical equipment, and energy. In this, it has gone from being a niche supplier to a global enterprise-class technology company. From its roots in structural analysis software such as Hypermesh, Altair now has software and cloud solutions with well-known brands such as HyperWorks, solidThinking, Inspire, Altair PBS and SmartWorks, among others, in the areas of simulation-driven product development, high-performance computing (HPC) and data intelligence.
Click on the headline to read the full article on PLM&ERP News.
”An Industrial Drama,” Says Siemens Head of PLM, Tony Hemmelgarn, About Electrification and SDV...
How do the major PLM developers generally view PLM's role in SDV (Software-Defined Vehicles) development and the forward storming electrification technologies as a growing parts of vehicle and transport product realization? The question is brought up to date not least by the announcement this week from the Volvo Group and Daimler Trucks to invest in a 50/50-owned company for the development of an SDV platform for trucks. In two earlier published articles, PLM&ERP News has taken a closer look at this through interviews with leaders of major players in the automotive industry. Siemens Digital Industries Software’s CEO, Tony Hemmelgarn, is one of the PLM profiles interviewed. He is today the longest-serving executive in the entire PLM space. Meet him in my in-depth interview around these two superhot topics.
The claim that the car industry is going through a unique technologically explosive phase right now is no exaggeration, he notes. As AI, electrification, electronics and software—as some of the most prominent new technologies—pave the way and dramatically change product development, timing is everything, for everyone. The right tool at the right time is of the utmost importance. This not only affects PLM developers, such as the leading player in the automotive market, Siemens Digital Industries Software, but also fundamentally changes the situation of car manufacturers. Today’s cars are more connected, software-controlled, autonomous and electric than ever. Each of the vehicles contains, or will soon contain, millions of lines of code and must daily be able to handle terabytes of data. This is a huge undertaking and it has led to a ”volcanic” change in the way several major vehicle manufacturers work, not least to now quickly build up sophisticated infrastructures for software development. ”What the automotive industry is going through is actually nothing less than an industrial drama,” says Tony Hemmelgarn. ”We are talking about survival of the fittest. The fight is fierce and there are three areas that stand out: Software/electronics, digital manufacturing processes and in a 5-10 year perspective the full impact of artificial intelligence.”
In this interview he also comments the problems that the automotive industry is facing in terms of declining share of sales for electric vehicles.
”New technologies are breaking new ground, often resulting in high growth numbers from initially low volumes. But newly established manufacturing methods, high battery costs, decreasing subsidies and a sluggish growth rate in terms of charging stations can, in parallel with a generally declining economy, can backfire in the form of declining sales. We’re talking about a complex chain of events here that not always move in pace. But over time, the assessment is that electric cars are so important to the sustainability and environmental health of the planet, that today’s declining numbers probably represent more of an unexpected notch in the upward curve than a long term decline.”
Click on the headline to be directed to the full interview on PLM&ERP News.
The claim that the car industry is going through a unique technologically explosive phase right now is no exaggeration, he notes. As AI, electrification, electronics and software—as some of the most prominent new technologies—pave the way and dramatically change product development, timing is everything, for everyone. The right tool at the right time is of the utmost importance. This not only affects PLM developers, such as the leading player in the automotive market, Siemens Digital Industries Software, but also fundamentally changes the situation of car manufacturers. Today’s cars are more connected, software-controlled, autonomous and electric than ever. Each of the vehicles contains, or will soon contain, millions of lines of code and must daily be able to handle terabytes of data. This is a huge undertaking and it has led to a ”volcanic” change in the way several major vehicle manufacturers work, not least to now quickly build up sophisticated infrastructures for software development. ”What the automotive industry is going through is actually nothing less than an industrial drama,” says Tony Hemmelgarn. ”We are talking about survival of the fittest. The fight is fierce and there are three areas that stand out: Software/electronics, digital manufacturing processes and in a 5-10 year perspective the full impact of artificial intelligence.”
In this interview he also comments the problems that the automotive industry is facing in terms of declining share of sales for electric vehicles.
”New technologies are breaking new ground, often resulting in high growth numbers from initially low volumes. But newly established manufacturing methods, high battery costs, decreasing subsidies and a sluggish growth rate in terms of charging stations can, in parallel with a generally declining economy, can backfire in the form of declining sales. We’re talking about a complex chain of events here that not always move in pace. But over time, the assessment is that electric cars are so important to the sustainability and environmental health of the planet, that today’s declining numbers probably represent more of an unexpected notch in the upward curve than a long term decline.”
Click on the headline to be directed to the full interview on PLM&ERP News.
SDVs: Volvo Group and Daimler Truck in Binding Agreement for Development of Platform for...
HQ in GOTHENBURG – WHICH SYSTEM WILL BE USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT WORK? Today's big news in automotive is Volvo Group's and Daimler Trucks' decision to proceed with a binding agreement on the development of a platform for software-defined vehicles - so-called SDVs, "Software Defined Vehicles" - for heavy trucks. The agreement is based on a 50/50 deal and follows an earlier announcement from the companies, from May 2024.
Particularly interesting for Sweden is that this SDV platform aims to set an industry standard and that the plan includes a head office in Gothenburg. In the joint press material, the companies note that the partners' joint goal is to, “develop a truck operating system and to offer the joint venture's brand and versatile application-agnostic products to other commercial vehicle OEMs.” But despite this, competition between the companies must be protected and maintained: "Volvo Group and Daimler Truck will remain competitors in all other business areas and will continue to focus on an independent product and service offering," it writes.
Today's announcement will undoubtedly strengthen the digital transformation not only within Volvo and Daimler, but also within the transport industry. Not least influenced by the fact that we are talking about the heavy truck industry's two largest manufacturers.
An SDV is a vehicle where core functions are handled by a software layer that sits between the driver's or "fleet manager's" vehicle interface and which handles vehicle functions primarily via sensors. This allows the manufacturer to improve both usability and features dynamically via updates, including wireless.
This is a very interesting venture, not least because software-defined vehicles are the next major line of development in the automotive industry. But also because it is the second example within the framework of a couple of years where Volvo and Daimler join forces in an important development area. Previously, since 2020, Volvo and Daimler Truck have a joint venture underway around fuel cell solutions to power the vehicles. Then the Volvo Group bought 50 percent of Daimler Truck Fuel Cell GmbH & Co for a joint development of energy solutions for heavy trucks whose electricity for the batteries is generated from fuel cells powered by hydrogen gas. With the now announced SDV investment, the companies move forward together and share the significant development costs. Undeniably a smart move.
But there are challenges: for example, which systems should be used in the development work? The PLM side is one thing, while software development can land elsewhere. Anyway: Volvo Group has on the PLM side PTC with Windchill as cPDm solution. On the ALM side, PTC's Codebeamer, together with Windchill, will play important roles in PTC's offering. This while Daimler basically works in Siemens environments with Teamcenter and NX CAD. As far as the software side is concerned, Mercedes has used, among other things, IBM Doors. Siemens' ALM solution is called Polarion, which presumably has good hopes of getting into Daimler. The development will be interesting to follow.
Click on the title to read more on PLM&ERP News.
Particularly interesting for Sweden is that this SDV platform aims to set an industry standard and that the plan includes a head office in Gothenburg. In the joint press material, the companies note that the partners' joint goal is to, “develop a truck operating system and to offer the joint venture's brand and versatile application-agnostic products to other commercial vehicle OEMs.” But despite this, competition between the companies must be protected and maintained: "Volvo Group and Daimler Truck will remain competitors in all other business areas and will continue to focus on an independent product and service offering," it writes.
Today's announcement will undoubtedly strengthen the digital transformation not only within Volvo and Daimler, but also within the transport industry. Not least influenced by the fact that we are talking about the heavy truck industry's two largest manufacturers.
An SDV is a vehicle where core functions are handled by a software layer that sits between the driver's or "fleet manager's" vehicle interface and which handles vehicle functions primarily via sensors. This allows the manufacturer to improve both usability and features dynamically via updates, including wireless.
This is a very interesting venture, not least because software-defined vehicles are the next major line of development in the automotive industry. But also because it is the second example within the framework of a couple of years where Volvo and Daimler join forces in an important development area. Previously, since 2020, Volvo and Daimler Truck have a joint venture underway around fuel cell solutions to power the vehicles. Then the Volvo Group bought 50 percent of Daimler Truck Fuel Cell GmbH & Co for a joint development of energy solutions for heavy trucks whose electricity for the batteries is generated from fuel cells powered by hydrogen gas. With the now announced SDV investment, the companies move forward together and share the significant development costs. Undeniably a smart move.
But there are challenges: for example, which systems should be used in the development work? The PLM side is one thing, while software development can land elsewhere. Anyway: Volvo Group has on the PLM side PTC with Windchill as cPDm solution. On the ALM side, PTC's Codebeamer, together with Windchill, will play important roles in PTC's offering. This while Daimler basically works in Siemens environments with Teamcenter and NX CAD. As far as the software side is concerned, Mercedes has used, among other things, IBM Doors. Siemens' ALM solution is called Polarion, which presumably has good hopes of getting into Daimler. The development will be interesting to follow.
Click on the title to read more on PLM&ERP News.
How Keysight and Siemens EDA are developing next-generation tools for WIRELESS SYSTEM DESIGN
New product enables BIDIRECTIONAL INTEGRATION with RF and MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY tools for system design. One of last week's most interesting news concerns an area of importance to the design of wireless communication systems. It's about Keysight Technologies and Siemens EDA, part of Siemens Digital Industries Software, and the goal of building next-generation solutions for wireless design. Creating deeper integration between Keysight's Advanced Design System (ADS) and Siemens Xpedition Enterprise suite of EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools has enabled more efficient co-design of digital systems and radio frequency (RF) circuits by performing layout and manufacturing in Xpedition and RF Circuit and electromagnetic simulation in Keysight ADS.
This is generally of importance in a number of industry segments, including wireless systems in the field of defense, radar solutions, satellites, etc. But the addressed markets are broader than that and also relate to segments such as automotive, industrial automation, energy and the general semiconductor and electronics markets. So, what’s the main point of the now announced collaboration?
The backdrop is that today's complex systems in these fields require design where the integration between RF and overall system design reach high levels of sophistication. RF stands for Radio Frequency, which represents the oscillation speed of electromagnetic waves. These highly advanced solutions often combine intricate RF components, high-speed digital electronic circuitry, and sophisticated signal processing, all of which must work harmoniously together.
The development of new technologies is thus heavily dependent on RF circuits. These circuits are integrated components in wireless communication systems such as 5/6G, LTE, Bluetooth and IoT devices.
The collaboration between Keysight ADS and Siemens EDA's Xpedition builds on the existing dynamic integration between the companies' tools, with the ability for system designers to have bidirectional integration with RF and microwave technology tools. A key point of this involves integration of complete hierarchical designs bi-directionally between Keysight ADS and Siemens Xpedition Designer and Layout, eliminating the cumbersome and error-prone task of manually translating libraries between the tools.
Keysight's Nilesh Kamdar, EDA Design & Verification notes:
"The bidirectional integration enables engineers to optimize performance across various applications, including 5G/6G and radar systems."
What is the value of bidirectional integration in e.g. radar systems? Bidirectional RF amplifiers are widely used in wireless communication such as radar and satellite communication. They improve base station coverage and signal penetration, thereby sharpening communication quality and user experience. But there is more…
Click on the headline to read more on PLM&ERP News.
This is generally of importance in a number of industry segments, including wireless systems in the field of defense, radar solutions, satellites, etc. But the addressed markets are broader than that and also relate to segments such as automotive, industrial automation, energy and the general semiconductor and electronics markets. So, what’s the main point of the now announced collaboration?
The backdrop is that today's complex systems in these fields require design where the integration between RF and overall system design reach high levels of sophistication. RF stands for Radio Frequency, which represents the oscillation speed of electromagnetic waves. These highly advanced solutions often combine intricate RF components, high-speed digital electronic circuitry, and sophisticated signal processing, all of which must work harmoniously together.
The development of new technologies is thus heavily dependent on RF circuits. These circuits are integrated components in wireless communication systems such as 5/6G, LTE, Bluetooth and IoT devices.
The collaboration between Keysight ADS and Siemens EDA's Xpedition builds on the existing dynamic integration between the companies' tools, with the ability for system designers to have bidirectional integration with RF and microwave technology tools. A key point of this involves integration of complete hierarchical designs bi-directionally between Keysight ADS and Siemens Xpedition Designer and Layout, eliminating the cumbersome and error-prone task of manually translating libraries between the tools.
Keysight's Nilesh Kamdar, EDA Design & Verification notes:
"The bidirectional integration enables engineers to optimize performance across various applications, including 5G/6G and radar systems."
What is the value of bidirectional integration in e.g. radar systems? Bidirectional RF amplifiers are widely used in wireless communication such as radar and satellite communication. They improve base station coverage and signal penetration, thereby sharpening communication quality and user experience. But there is more…
Click on the headline to read more on PLM&ERP News.
Så utvecklar Keysight och Siemens EDA nästa generations verktyg för DESIGN AV TRÅDLÖSA SYSTEM
Möjliggör DUBBELRIKTAD INTEGRATION med RF- och MIKROVÅGSTEKNIK-verktyg för systemdesign. En av förra veckans mest intressanta nyheter berör ett område av betydelse för design av trådlösa kommunikationssystem. Det handlar om Keysight Technologies och Siemens EDA, en del av Siemens Digital Industries Software, och målsättningen att bygga nästa generations plattformar för trådlös design. Genom att skapa fördjupade integrationslösningar mellan Keysights Advanced Design System (ADS) och Siemens Xpedition Enterprise-svit av EDA-verktyg har man möjliggjort att mer effektivt samdesigna digitala system och radiofrekvens-kretsar (RF) genom att utföra layout och tillverkning i Xpedition och RF Circuit och elektromagnetisk simulering i Keysight ADS.
Detta är allmänt av vikt inom en rad industrisegment, men är i fallet Keysight och Siemens framför allt när det gäller trådlösa system inom t ex försvarsområdet, radarlösningar, satelliter, etc. Men verksamheterna är som sagt bredare än så och relaterar även till kunder inom segment som fordons-, industriella automations-, energi- och de allmänna halvledar- och elektronikmarknaderna. Men vad gör det nu annonserade samarbetet viktigt?
Dagens komplexa system på området kräver design där integrationen mellan RF och övergripande systemdesign kräver höga nivåer av sofistikerat avancemang. RF står för Radio Frequency, som representerar oscillationshastigheten för elektromagnetiska vågor. Dessa högt avancerade lösningar kombinerar ofta intrikata RF-komponenter, digitala elektroniska höghastighetskretsar och sofistikerad signalbehandling, som alla måste fungera harmoniskt ihop.
Utvecklingen av nya teknologier är alltså starkt beroende av RF-kretsar. Dessa kretsar är integrerade komponenter i trådlösa kommunikationssystem som 5G, LTE, Bluetooth och IoT (Internet of Things)-enheter.
Samarbetet mellan Keysight ADS och Siemens EDAs Xpedition innebär att man bygger vidare på den existerande dynamiska integrationen mellan bolagens verktyg, med möjligheten för systemdesigner att ha dubbelriktad integration med RF- och mikrovågsteknik-verktyg. En huvudpoäng i detta innebär integration av kompletta hierarkiska konstruktioner dubbelriktat mellan Keysight ADS och Siemens Xpedition Designer och Layout, vilket eliminerar den besvärliga och felbenägna uppgiften att manuellt översätta bibliotek mellan verktygen.
Keysights Nilesh Kamdar, EDA Design & Verification-ledare konstaterar apropå detta:
"Den dubbelriktade integrationen gör det möjligt för ingenjörer att optimera prestanda över olika applikationer, inklusive 5G/6G och radarsystem."
Vad är värdet av dubbelriktad integration i t ex radarsystem? Dubbelriktade RF-förstärkare används i stor utsträckning inom trådlös kommunikation som just radar- och satellitkommunikation. I trådlösa kommunikationssystem förbättrar de basstationens täckning och signalpenetration, och vässar därmed kommunikationskvaliteten och användarupplevelsen. Men det finns mer…
Klicka på rubriken för att läsa mer på PLM&ERP News.
Detta är allmänt av vikt inom en rad industrisegment, men är i fallet Keysight och Siemens framför allt när det gäller trådlösa system inom t ex försvarsområdet, radarlösningar, satelliter, etc. Men verksamheterna är som sagt bredare än så och relaterar även till kunder inom segment som fordons-, industriella automations-, energi- och de allmänna halvledar- och elektronikmarknaderna. Men vad gör det nu annonserade samarbetet viktigt?
Dagens komplexa system på området kräver design där integrationen mellan RF och övergripande systemdesign kräver höga nivåer av sofistikerat avancemang. RF står för Radio Frequency, som representerar oscillationshastigheten för elektromagnetiska vågor. Dessa högt avancerade lösningar kombinerar ofta intrikata RF-komponenter, digitala elektroniska höghastighetskretsar och sofistikerad signalbehandling, som alla måste fungera harmoniskt ihop.
Utvecklingen av nya teknologier är alltså starkt beroende av RF-kretsar. Dessa kretsar är integrerade komponenter i trådlösa kommunikationssystem som 5G, LTE, Bluetooth och IoT (Internet of Things)-enheter.
Samarbetet mellan Keysight ADS och Siemens EDAs Xpedition innebär att man bygger vidare på den existerande dynamiska integrationen mellan bolagens verktyg, med möjligheten för systemdesigner att ha dubbelriktad integration med RF- och mikrovågsteknik-verktyg. En huvudpoäng i detta innebär integration av kompletta hierarkiska konstruktioner dubbelriktat mellan Keysight ADS och Siemens Xpedition Designer och Layout, vilket eliminerar den besvärliga och felbenägna uppgiften att manuellt översätta bibliotek mellan verktygen.
Keysights Nilesh Kamdar, EDA Design & Verification-ledare konstaterar apropå detta:
"Den dubbelriktade integrationen gör det möjligt för ingenjörer att optimera prestanda över olika applikationer, inklusive 5G/6G och radarsystem."
Vad är värdet av dubbelriktad integration i t ex radarsystem? Dubbelriktade RF-förstärkare används i stor utsträckning inom trådlös kommunikation som just radar- och satellitkommunikation. I trådlösa kommunikationssystem förbättrar de basstationens täckning och signalpenetration, och vässar därmed kommunikationskvaliteten och användarupplevelsen. Men det finns mer…
Klicka på rubriken för att läsa mer på PLM&ERP News.
”CAD’s Best-Kept Secret”: Solid Edge 2025 Has a Powerful Technological Level, But Would Benefit...
...and now the software also comes as a SaaS and CLOUD SOLUTION. Siemens Digital Industries Software's mainstream 3D CAD program, Solid Edge (SE), is not without good reason called "the industry's best kept secret". It was developed around the same time as SOLIDWORKS (SW) in the early 1990s, had the same kind of capabilities and introduced 3D CAD into mainstream desktop environments. But it did not take off in the same way as Jon Hirschtick's SW software, despite the fact that it had similar, or sharper, technical capabilities and despite that during the course of development, before the competitors, PDM was integrated into the solution and in addition formed a "PLM light- suite” by integrating excellent simulation and CAM solutions.
This does not prevent SE from continuing to develop its capabilities to match well with competitors in the mid-range segment. In some areas, the solution has also been leading, such as the ability to work both parametrically and with direct modeling. In any case, with the 2025 edition, Solid Edge can be hard-hitting with several heavy initiatives and feature news; which is garnished with a SaaS and cloud variant – like all Siemens programs on SaaS, IaaS and the cloud platform with the suffix X (Solid Edge X).
That is all good, but one problem remains: Solid Edge is priced clearly higher than competing software. One way to increase the global volumes could be to lower the price to be in better parity with, for example, SW.
That said, John Miller, senior VP for Mainstream Engineering at Siemens Digital Industries Software, believes that with the Solid Edge X version and the SaaS concept, significant steps have been taken towards deliveries that are in line with Siemens' strategic goals: "To bring our industry-leading software to customers as a SaaS service,” he says.
Miller further claims that, "Solid Edge delivers transformative technologies that bring together the innate collaboration capabilities of the cloud in combination with cutting-edge AI-based tools, enabling our customers to innovate at the accelerated pace that today's manufacturing industry demands."
Solid Edge has its bulk of users in the US. In the Nordics examples of customers are everything from global players like De Laval to SMB users like Ålö (manufactures e.g. buckets for excavators) and PIAB.
Generally, Solid Edge 2025 includes a number of improvements to increase modeling speed, etching and bend features for sheet metal design, and simplified solutions for model-based definition (MBD). It is also updated on the PDM and collaboration side, as well as it has sharpened solutions in integrated mechanical and electrical design. Moreover, both simulation and CAM has received improved capabilities.
But the most interesting move is the ambitions of the new Solid Edge X that takes the program to the cloud; a new service that provides simplified IT admin, better collaboration, secure and reliable data management and AI-powered productivity support.
Click on the headline to read the full article on PLM&ERP News.
This does not prevent SE from continuing to develop its capabilities to match well with competitors in the mid-range segment. In some areas, the solution has also been leading, such as the ability to work both parametrically and with direct modeling. In any case, with the 2025 edition, Solid Edge can be hard-hitting with several heavy initiatives and feature news; which is garnished with a SaaS and cloud variant – like all Siemens programs on SaaS, IaaS and the cloud platform with the suffix X (Solid Edge X).
That is all good, but one problem remains: Solid Edge is priced clearly higher than competing software. One way to increase the global volumes could be to lower the price to be in better parity with, for example, SW.
That said, John Miller, senior VP for Mainstream Engineering at Siemens Digital Industries Software, believes that with the Solid Edge X version and the SaaS concept, significant steps have been taken towards deliveries that are in line with Siemens' strategic goals: "To bring our industry-leading software to customers as a SaaS service,” he says.
Miller further claims that, "Solid Edge delivers transformative technologies that bring together the innate collaboration capabilities of the cloud in combination with cutting-edge AI-based tools, enabling our customers to innovate at the accelerated pace that today's manufacturing industry demands."
Solid Edge has its bulk of users in the US. In the Nordics examples of customers are everything from global players like De Laval to SMB users like Ålö (manufactures e.g. buckets for excavators) and PIAB.
Generally, Solid Edge 2025 includes a number of improvements to increase modeling speed, etching and bend features for sheet metal design, and simplified solutions for model-based definition (MBD). It is also updated on the PDM and collaboration side, as well as it has sharpened solutions in integrated mechanical and electrical design. Moreover, both simulation and CAM has received improved capabilities.
But the most interesting move is the ambitions of the new Solid Edge X that takes the program to the cloud; a new service that provides simplified IT admin, better collaboration, secure and reliable data management and AI-powered productivity support.
Click on the headline to read the full article on PLM&ERP News.
”CADens bäst bevarade hemlighet”: Solid Edge 2025 kliver på kraftfullt rent tekniskt, men skulle...
…och nu kommer programmet också som SaaS- och MOLN-LÖSNING. Siemens Digital Industries Softwares mainstream 3D CAD-program, Solid Edge, brukar inte utan goda skäl kallas för ”branschens bäst dolda hemlighet”. Den utvecklades ungefär samtidigt som SOLIDWORKS (SW) under de första åren på 1990-talet, hade samma typ av kapabiliteter och introducerade 3D CAD i vanliga desktop-miljöer. Men den lyfte inte på samma vis som Jon Hirschticks SW-mjukvara, trots att den hade liknande, eller t o m vassare, tekniska kapaciteter och trots att man sedan under utvecklingens gång, före konkurrenterna integrerade PDM i lösningen och dessutom skapade en slags ”PLM light-svit” genom att integrera alldeles utmärkta simulerings- och CAM-lösningar.
Detta hindrar nu inte att man fortsätter att utveckla denna mainstream-lösning med kapaciteter som väl matchar konkurrenterna i mellansegmentet. På vissa områden har lösningen även varit ledande, som t ex möjligheten att jobba både parametriskt och med direktmodellering. Hur som helst kan man med 2025-upplagan bli svårslagna med flera tunga initiativ och nyheter; som också garneras med en SaaS- (Software-as-a-Service) och moln-variant – som alla Siemens program på SaaS, IaaS och molnplattformen försedd med suffixet X (Solid Edge X). Notabelt är att även nya AI-aktiverade verktyg kommer med på köpet.
Vad som dock är anmärkningsvärt är prisbilden på Solid Edge, som är klart högre än konkurrerande mjukvaror. Ett sätt att få upp de globala volymerna vore att sänka priset så att man kommer i bättre paritet med t ex SW.
Detta sagt, menar i alla fall John Miller, senior VP för Mainstream Engineering-bitarna på Siemens Digital Industries Software att man med Solid Edge X-versionen och SaaS-kopplingarna tagit rejäla kliv mot leveranser som stämmer väl med Siemens strategiska mål: ”Att föra vår branschledande mjukvara till kunder som en SaaS-tjänst,” säger han.
Miller hävdar vidare i detta att, ”Solid Edge levererar transformativa teknologier som sammanför molnets medfödda samarbetsmöjligheter i kombination med banbrytande AI-baserade verktyg, vilket gör att våra kunder kan förnya sig i den accelererade takt som dagens tillverkningsindustri kräver." Bland de svenska och nordiska användarna finns t ex De Laval, Ålö (tillverkar bl a skopor till grävare), och PIAB.
Allmänt pekar han på att Solid Edge 2025 innehåller en rad förbättringar för att öka modelleringshastigheten, förbättrade etsnings- och böjningsfunktioner för plåtdesign och förenklade lösningar för modellbaserad definition (MBD). Den är också uppdaterad på datahanteringsbitarna och när det gäller samarbetsverktygen, liksom att man har vässat lösningen inom integrerad mekanisk och elektrisk design, på CAE har simuleringsbiten fått sig en uppdatering och på CAM också programmeringen av maskinverktyg.
Men det mest intressanta draget är ambitionerna med nya Solid Edge X som tar programmet till molnet; en ny tjänst ger förenklad IT-admin, bättre samarbete, säker och pålitlig datahantering och AI-driven produktivitetsstöd.
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Detta hindrar nu inte att man fortsätter att utveckla denna mainstream-lösning med kapaciteter som väl matchar konkurrenterna i mellansegmentet. På vissa områden har lösningen även varit ledande, som t ex möjligheten att jobba både parametriskt och med direktmodellering. Hur som helst kan man med 2025-upplagan bli svårslagna med flera tunga initiativ och nyheter; som också garneras med en SaaS- (Software-as-a-Service) och moln-variant – som alla Siemens program på SaaS, IaaS och molnplattformen försedd med suffixet X (Solid Edge X). Notabelt är att även nya AI-aktiverade verktyg kommer med på köpet.
Vad som dock är anmärkningsvärt är prisbilden på Solid Edge, som är klart högre än konkurrerande mjukvaror. Ett sätt att få upp de globala volymerna vore att sänka priset så att man kommer i bättre paritet med t ex SW.
Detta sagt, menar i alla fall John Miller, senior VP för Mainstream Engineering-bitarna på Siemens Digital Industries Software att man med Solid Edge X-versionen och SaaS-kopplingarna tagit rejäla kliv mot leveranser som stämmer väl med Siemens strategiska mål: ”Att föra vår branschledande mjukvara till kunder som en SaaS-tjänst,” säger han.
Miller hävdar vidare i detta att, ”Solid Edge levererar transformativa teknologier som sammanför molnets medfödda samarbetsmöjligheter i kombination med banbrytande AI-baserade verktyg, vilket gör att våra kunder kan förnya sig i den accelererade takt som dagens tillverkningsindustri kräver." Bland de svenska och nordiska användarna finns t ex De Laval, Ålö (tillverkar bl a skopor till grävare), och PIAB.
Allmänt pekar han på att Solid Edge 2025 innehåller en rad förbättringar för att öka modelleringshastigheten, förbättrade etsnings- och böjningsfunktioner för plåtdesign och förenklade lösningar för modellbaserad definition (MBD). Den är också uppdaterad på datahanteringsbitarna och när det gäller samarbetsverktygen, liksom att man har vässat lösningen inom integrerad mekanisk och elektrisk design, på CAE har simuleringsbiten fått sig en uppdatering och på CAM också programmeringen av maskinverktyg.
Men det mest intressanta draget är ambitionerna med nya Solid Edge X som tar programmet till molnet; en ny tjänst ger förenklad IT-admin, bättre samarbete, säker och pålitlig datahantering och AI-driven produktivitetsstöd.
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CFD: Major Breakthrough Paves the Way for Fully NonLinear Three-Dimensional Fluid Simulation in the...
A GAME CHANGER for NEXT GENERATION CFD and SIMULATION BASED DESIGN. What industrial benefit could quantum computing bring? The question is interesting, not least in the sub-PLM area of simulation and analysis. Quantum advantages, defined as the ability to use quantum computers to solve problems beyond the reach of classical computers, could solve some of the most challenging computational problems in the manufacturing industry. For example, in automotive and battery-powered electric cars, it could contribute to better and faster calculations around lithium compounds and battery chemistry. This can, for example, create a deeper understanding of how the docking energy of proteins works, resulting in better batteries. This is just one example, there are other general CFD areas where quantum calculations could serve brilliantly.
These issues are brought up to date by a news release from HPC and CAE developer Altair and the Technical University of Munich, which could open up a new world of possibilities in areas traditionally governed by classical physics, such as CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), by enabling practical applications of quantum computing.
A major breakthrough is presented in an article published in the journal Computer Physics Communications: Executable code for quantum computers and quantum simulators that overcomes several key challenges in the implementation of quantum computing by the Lattice-Boltzmann method.
The paper, entitled, "Quantum Algorithm for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method Advection-Diffusion Equation", has been produced through a grant from Altair. Roughly speaking, the Lattice-Boltzmann method basically works with two key processes: collision and streaming. In the collision phase, particle distributions at each lattice node interact, resulting in a reshuffle of particle velocities, ensuring that both mass and momentum are conserved.
What has now been done is that a generic quantum CFD algorithm for three-dimensional CFD has been developed for the first time. The algorithm has the potential to bring fully nonlinear three-dimensional CFD into the quantum world. This could be a game changer for next-generation CFD and simulation-based design as the results demonstrate the enormous possibilities in terms of model size and scalability that quantum computers offer compared to classical computers.
Altair's Christian Janssen, VP of CFD Solutions and co-author of the article says: "Now we're exploring the revolutionary potential of quantum computing to tackle more complex simulations, opening up new opportunities for innovation in product."
"This is an important discovery which has the potential to open a new dimension," agreed Nikolaus Adams, professor of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, at the Technical University of Munich. "We have presented the building blocks for a new generation of quantum computing algorithms."
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These issues are brought up to date by a news release from HPC and CAE developer Altair and the Technical University of Munich, which could open up a new world of possibilities in areas traditionally governed by classical physics, such as CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), by enabling practical applications of quantum computing.
A major breakthrough is presented in an article published in the journal Computer Physics Communications: Executable code for quantum computers and quantum simulators that overcomes several key challenges in the implementation of quantum computing by the Lattice-Boltzmann method.
The paper, entitled, "Quantum Algorithm for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method Advection-Diffusion Equation", has been produced through a grant from Altair. Roughly speaking, the Lattice-Boltzmann method basically works with two key processes: collision and streaming. In the collision phase, particle distributions at each lattice node interact, resulting in a reshuffle of particle velocities, ensuring that both mass and momentum are conserved.
What has now been done is that a generic quantum CFD algorithm for three-dimensional CFD has been developed for the first time. The algorithm has the potential to bring fully nonlinear three-dimensional CFD into the quantum world. This could be a game changer for next-generation CFD and simulation-based design as the results demonstrate the enormous possibilities in terms of model size and scalability that quantum computers offer compared to classical computers.
Altair's Christian Janssen, VP of CFD Solutions and co-author of the article says: "Now we're exploring the revolutionary potential of quantum computing to tackle more complex simulations, opening up new opportunities for innovation in product."
"This is an important discovery which has the potential to open a new dimension," agreed Nikolaus Adams, professor of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, at the Technical University of Munich. "We have presented the building blocks for a new generation of quantum computing algorithms."
Click on the headline to read more on PLM&ERP News.
Ett genombrott som banar väg för fullt icke-linjär tredimensionell vätskesimulering i kvantvärlden
EN GAMECHANGER FÖR NÄSTA GENERATIONS CFD OCH SIMULERINGSBASERAD DESIGN. Vilken industriell nytta skulle kvantumdatorer och kvantberäkning kunna ge? Frågan är extremt intressant, inte minst inom sub-PLM-området simulering och analys. Genom att uppnå kvantfördelar, definierat som förmågan att använda kvantdatorer för att lösa problem som ligger utom räckhåll för klassiska datorer, skulle man kunna lösa några av de mest utmanande beräkningsproblemen som finns inom tillverkningsindustrin. Ett exempel inom automotive och batteridrivna elbilar är att det skulle kunna bidra till en bättre förståelse för litiumföreningar och batterikemi. Till exempel kan kvantberäkningar utnyttja och skapa förståelse hur dockningsenergin hos proteiner fungerar, vilket resulterar i bättre batterier för elfordon.
De här bitarna aktualiseras av en nyhet från HPC, simulerings- och analysföretaget Altair och Münchens tekniska universitet som kan öppna en ny värld av möjligheter inom områden som traditionellt styrs av klassisk fysik, som CFD ( Computational Fluid Dynamics, ”vätskedynamik”), genom att möjliggöra den praktiska tillämpningen av kvantberäkning.
Det handlar ett stort genombrott, publicerat i tidskriften Computer Physics Communications, där man presenterar körbar kod för kvantdatorer och kvantsimulatorer som övervinner flera viktiga utmaningar i implementeringen av kvantberäkningen av Lattice-Boltzmann-metoden.
Uppsatsen, med titeln "Quantum Algorithm for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method Advection-Diffusion Equation", har tagits fram bl a genom ett forskningsanslag från Altair. Grovt tillyxat arbetar Lattice-Boltzmann-metoden i grunden med två nyckelprocesser: kollision och strömmning. I kollisionsfasen samverkar partikelfördelningar vid varje gitternod, vilket resulterar i en omblandning av partikelhastigheter, vilket säkerställer att både massa och momentum bevaras.
Vad man nu gjort är att man för första gången fått fram en generisk kvant-CFD-algoritm för tredimensionell CFD. Algoritmen har potential att föra in helt icke-linjär tredimensionell CFD i kvantvärlden. Detta, menar man, ”är en gamechanger för nästa generations CFD och simuleringsbaserad design eftersom resultaten visar de enorma möjligheter när det gäller modellstorlek och skalbarhet som kvantdatorer erbjuder jämfört med klassiska datorer.
Altairs Christian Janssen, VP för CFD-lösningar och medförfattare av artikeln säger:
"Våra GPU-drivna CFD-verktyg har satt standarden för effektivitet och noggrannhet. Nu utforskar vi den revolutionerande potentialen hos kvantdatorer för att tackla ännu mer komplexa simuleringar, vilket öppnar upp nya möjligheter för innovation inom produktdesign och ingenjörskonst."
"Detta är en viktig upptäckt för både vårt team och Altair-forskarna, som har potential att öppna en ny dimension av kvantberäkningar", säger Nikolaus Adams, professor och ordförande för aerodynamik och vätskemekanik, Tekniska universitetet i München. "Vi har presenterat byggstenarna för en ny generation av kvantberäkningsalgoritmer."
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De här bitarna aktualiseras av en nyhet från HPC, simulerings- och analysföretaget Altair och Münchens tekniska universitet som kan öppna en ny värld av möjligheter inom områden som traditionellt styrs av klassisk fysik, som CFD ( Computational Fluid Dynamics, ”vätskedynamik”), genom att möjliggöra den praktiska tillämpningen av kvantberäkning.
Det handlar ett stort genombrott, publicerat i tidskriften Computer Physics Communications, där man presenterar körbar kod för kvantdatorer och kvantsimulatorer som övervinner flera viktiga utmaningar i implementeringen av kvantberäkningen av Lattice-Boltzmann-metoden.
Uppsatsen, med titeln "Quantum Algorithm for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method Advection-Diffusion Equation", har tagits fram bl a genom ett forskningsanslag från Altair. Grovt tillyxat arbetar Lattice-Boltzmann-metoden i grunden med två nyckelprocesser: kollision och strömmning. I kollisionsfasen samverkar partikelfördelningar vid varje gitternod, vilket resulterar i en omblandning av partikelhastigheter, vilket säkerställer att både massa och momentum bevaras.
Vad man nu gjort är att man för första gången fått fram en generisk kvant-CFD-algoritm för tredimensionell CFD. Algoritmen har potential att föra in helt icke-linjär tredimensionell CFD i kvantvärlden. Detta, menar man, ”är en gamechanger för nästa generations CFD och simuleringsbaserad design eftersom resultaten visar de enorma möjligheter när det gäller modellstorlek och skalbarhet som kvantdatorer erbjuder jämfört med klassiska datorer.
Altairs Christian Janssen, VP för CFD-lösningar och medförfattare av artikeln säger:
"Våra GPU-drivna CFD-verktyg har satt standarden för effektivitet och noggrannhet. Nu utforskar vi den revolutionerande potentialen hos kvantdatorer för att tackla ännu mer komplexa simuleringar, vilket öppnar upp nya möjligheter för innovation inom produktdesign och ingenjörskonst."
"Detta är en viktig upptäckt för både vårt team och Altair-forskarna, som har potential att öppna en ny dimension av kvantberäkningar", säger Nikolaus Adams, professor och ordförande för aerodynamik och vätskemekanik, Tekniska universitetet i München. "Vi har presenterat byggstenarna för en ny generation av kvantberäkningsalgoritmer."
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CAM & CAE: Sandviks Cimatron stärker CAM-kapabiliteterna med simulering inom formgjutning och formpressning
CIMATRON BLIR GLOBAL KANAL-PARTNER TILL ALTAIR. Det var nu några år sedan Sandvik köpte CAM-utvecklaren Cimatron. Det var under 2021 som den svenska verkstadsspelaren tog ett jättekliv in på CAM- och CNC-bangenererings-arenan genom att under kort tid köpa upp bolaget Cambrios mjukvaror Cimatron och Gibbs CAM, och dessutom förvärva CNC Software, med Mastercam – världens största obundna CAM-mjukvara. I ett slag klev Sandvik direkt in i områdets absoluta hetluft och etablerade en viktig position på CAM-marknaden, vilken inkluderar både specifik verktygstillverkning och mer generell maskinbearbetning. I Cambrios produktportfölj fanns som sagt GibbsCAM, med fokus på fräsning och svarvning – Cimatron, som har sin absoluta styrka i formgjutning och formpressning - och SigmaNEST, avsedd för effektiv metallbearbetning och nesting.
NYHETEN för dagen inom denna sfär är att simulerings- och analysföretaget Altair utnämnt Cimatron till Global Channel Partner, alltså ny global kanalpartner. Detta innebär bl a att bolaget kommer att erbjuda Altair Inspires simuleringslösningar för formsprutning och metallformning.
Allmänt blir också en effekt av utnämningen att Cimatron kommer att förstärka räckvidden för Altairs design- och simuleringslösningar på HyperWorks-plattformen. Dessa lösningar – särskilt Altairs formsprutnings- och metallformningslösningar, Altair Inspire Mould och Altair Inspire Form – är designade för, som skriver i pressmaterialet, "att revolutionera tillverkningsindustrin."
"Samarbetet kommer att introducera Altair-teknik för kunder som för närvarande kanske inte använder några simulerings- eller dataanalysverktyg, vilket hjälper dem att konkurrera mer effektivt på en global marknad definierad av banbrytande digital transformation", säger Pavan Kumar, senior VP på Altair för indirekta globala affärer. Han tillägger att, "Cimatron är ett enastående tillskott till vårt kanalpartners ekosystem, och vi ser fram emot att se hur kunder inom tillverkningsområdet kommer att dra nytta av detta partnerskap."
Bakgrunden till affären är att Cimatron letade efter den perfekta passformen för att ta fram "virtuell provning" till sina lösningar för gjutforms- och pressverktygsdesign. "Att aktivera en digital tvilling i detta sammanhang innebär att man bättre kan modellera, simulera, vässa och utforska designalternativ," kommenterar Marinac. "Att förutsäga och undvika tillverkningsdefekter som fyllning, packning, sjunkmärken, smält-/svetslinjer, kylning, skevhet, vindbildning, formning, sprickor/sprickor, rynkor, ytdefekter och återfjädring kommer att spara tid och pengar för våra kunder. Altairs teknologi minskar inlärningskurvan och lägger kraften i simulering i händerna på verktygstillverkare utan behov av CAE-specialister."
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NYHETEN för dagen inom denna sfär är att simulerings- och analysföretaget Altair utnämnt Cimatron till Global Channel Partner, alltså ny global kanalpartner. Detta innebär bl a att bolaget kommer att erbjuda Altair Inspires simuleringslösningar för formsprutning och metallformning.
Allmänt blir också en effekt av utnämningen att Cimatron kommer att förstärka räckvidden för Altairs design- och simuleringslösningar på HyperWorks-plattformen. Dessa lösningar – särskilt Altairs formsprutnings- och metallformningslösningar, Altair Inspire Mould och Altair Inspire Form – är designade för, som skriver i pressmaterialet, "att revolutionera tillverkningsindustrin."
"Samarbetet kommer att introducera Altair-teknik för kunder som för närvarande kanske inte använder några simulerings- eller dataanalysverktyg, vilket hjälper dem att konkurrera mer effektivt på en global marknad definierad av banbrytande digital transformation", säger Pavan Kumar, senior VP på Altair för indirekta globala affärer. Han tillägger att, "Cimatron är ett enastående tillskott till vårt kanalpartners ekosystem, och vi ser fram emot att se hur kunder inom tillverkningsområdet kommer att dra nytta av detta partnerskap."
Bakgrunden till affären är att Cimatron letade efter den perfekta passformen för att ta fram "virtuell provning" till sina lösningar för gjutforms- och pressverktygsdesign. "Att aktivera en digital tvilling i detta sammanhang innebär att man bättre kan modellera, simulera, vässa och utforska designalternativ," kommenterar Marinac. "Att förutsäga och undvika tillverkningsdefekter som fyllning, packning, sjunkmärken, smält-/svetslinjer, kylning, skevhet, vindbildning, formning, sprickor/sprickor, rynkor, ytdefekter och återfjädring kommer att spara tid och pengar för våra kunder. Altairs teknologi minskar inlärningskurvan och lägger kraften i simulering i händerna på verktygstillverkare utan behov av CAE-specialister."
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