Kristen Larsen
SensAble Technologies
15 Constitution Way
Woburn, MA 01801
T: 781-939-7495
F: 781-937-8325
klarsen@sensable.com
Woburn, MA, December 10, 2002 - SensAble Technologies, Inc., announced today that FreeForm® Version 6, the latest release of the touch-based modeling system, will be available for purchase later this month. FreeForm Version 6 speeds the digital production and design approval process, resulting in a reduction in time-to-market. Version 6, further extends the FreeForm system's ease of use, allowing users to create products quickly and accurately that can then be sent directly downstream for manufacturing.
The FreeForm modeling system allows companies to transform the way they develop products - from concept creation to finished part. Modeling with touch enables users to easily create products typically characterized by challenging and complex free-formed shapes. The FreeForm system allows companies to move from a traditional, physical process to a completely digital pipeline. Using a FreeForm system-based workflow dramatically compresses cycle time without sacrificing design quality and artisanship.
Version 6 enhancements and features include:
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A new interactive technique for modeling with texture maps called "Emboss with Wrapped Image." "Emboss with Wrapped Image," allows users to directly place a 3D curve anywhere on a model and dynamically place a texture in that region. The user can directly manipulate scaling, height and depth functions all within the bounded area while previewing the effect on the model before final placement.
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Integrated features for splitting clay and articulating pieces that allows users to quickly and easily reposition articulated joints. In addition, these features have enabled users to more easily prepare their models for printing on Rapid Prototype machines.
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A new reference piece feature, a polygonal piece that brought into the FreeForm system as a visual reference greatly improves performance on complex models.
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The addition of draft to the "Emboss with Image" tool that enhances the manufacturability of FreeForm system models, allowing embossed models to move directly downstream into production.
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Additional new features include enhanced Groove, Select Clay to Plane and Copy to Mask.
Dave Harbour, design engineer at Nike said, "The FreeForm system has a tremendous impact on the way we develop our shoes. FreeForm has enabled us to create footwear prototypes quicker and more accurate than before. Previously, I spent one and a half weeks completing a wrapping herringbone outsole in NURBS. Now, with the FreeForm Version 6 feature "Emboss with Wrapped Image" I can complete it in only a few hours."
Tom Ellery, vice president at SensAble said, "FreeForm Version 6 has further enabled our customers to speed up their product development process. Using a digital production process for highly artistic and complex forms has allowed many companies to build concurrency into a historically serial process. The value chain of OEM, licensor, and manufacturer are always pushing to reduce time-to-market. Together, FreeForm Version 6 and our Visual Communication Package is beginning to provide the time compression tools they desire"
FreeForm Version 6 is sold in two packages - FreeForm Version 6 and FreeForm Plus Version 6. FreeForm Version 6 offers a full suite of touch-based modeling tools. FreeForm Plus Version 6 adds advanced design tools for creating precise features, deforming models and exporting models as NURB surfaces. Both packages will be available via direct and reseller channels beginning later this month. The system runs on Windows XP and Windows 2000.
About SensAble Technologies
SensAble Technologies is transforming the way people use computers. SensAble's technology allows users to fully interact with the computer via the sense of touch. SensAble and its products have won more than a dozen awards and have been featured in publications worldwide, including The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Week and Fortune. FreeForm modeling, SensAble's first end-user application, was given the first ever Grand Innovation Award from Computer Graphics World. The company has over 500 customers in 30 countries, including adidas-Salomon, Bandai, ECCO Design, Hallmark, Hasbro, Honda, Levelor (a division of the Newell Group), Mattel/Fisher-Price, New Balance, Nike, Playmobil, Price Pfister (a division of Black and Decker), Reebok, Unitec, Wedgwood and leading universities worldwide. For more information, visit www.sensable.com.
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SensAble, PHANTOM and FreeForm are trademarks or registered trademarks of SensAble Technologies, Inc. All other companies and products referenced herein have trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. SensAble Technologies, Inc., 15 Constitution Way, Woburn, MA 01801. Tel: 781-937-8315, Fax: 781-937-8325, Web: www.sensable.com, Email: info@sensable.com
