Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] cad/cam

ProE is a feature-based parametric modeling program that is made by
(appropriately enough) Parametric Technologies. It is a very high-end
package, in the ranks of UniGraphics or CATIA. For similar low end
technology, there's Mechanical Desktop (I don't know if Rhino will do
parametric modeling, I don't think so), but they don't begin to be
comparable. In a nutshell, it enables the designer to create geometries with
constant values or relational values (equations). For example, you could
create a cylinder with a constant radius R and a variable height H. Then you
could link the values in a volume equation and set it equal to a set volume,
which would automatically designate the height. Then, if you changed the
radius, it would auotmatically change the height to maintain the set volume.
Likewise, in a layout, if you drew a handle on the cylinder and constrained
it to the top and bottom edge, its size would change as well. This is a very
rudimentary explanation, ProE is one of the most powerful software packages
I've ever worked with. When I was at RPI 9 (hundred) years ago, they
received a grant from PT and Sun, so it was available. As far as a copy -
good luck - last I checked a basic ProE seat was $15K+ and it goes up
exponentially when you start adding components. Also, it will run (like
poop) on an NT box, but the best I've seen it run was on Sun and IBM RISC
systems. There are a bunch of components, too. Check out the Parametric
Technologies web site, for more info.

-John