Design collaboration: Siemens PLM updates free visualization tool

By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff September 22, 2008

Siemens PLM Software announces the latest release of its no-charge 3D visualization solution, JT2Go. It contains functionality that should make it easier for users to work with digital models created in the JT format, the product life-cycle management (PLM) ndustry’s most widely used lightweight 3D data format for product visualization, collaboration, and CAD interoperability.In a press announcement, Siemens PLM said the new software release—combined with the increasingly widespread usage of JT—will result in enhanced collaboration and cost savings for manufacturers and suppliers worldwide.“The expanded JT2Go version will extend our usage of JT for an efficient collaboration with our suppliers worldwide and optimize the digital engineering visualization solutions in the automotive industry,” says Alfred Katzenbach, head of IT for R&D efforts at Daimler . “It is a further step to establish and support the JT format as an international standard in the field of digital engineering visualization.”According to Siemens, the new release of JT2Go contains several features that were previously only available through a purchased license of the visualization component of Siemens PLM Software’s Teamcenter digital lifecycle management software, including:• The ability to view product manufacturing information directly off the digital model, such as dimensions, tolerances, and other manufacturing data. This improves communication to the shop floor and enhances quality assurance.• Sophisticated measurement tools make accurate dimensional information readily available to the end user.• The ability to cross section JT models provides users with a better understanding of design details.“The JT data format is the common 3D language of PLM, with broad adoption across the industry that is fueled by the JT Open Program, whose members continue to expand the value of JT throughout their extended enterprises,” says Bruce Feldt, VP Open Tools, Siemens PLM Software. “The significantly increased functionality added to our no-cost JT2Go viewer facilitates continued growth and value expansion of JT while reinforcing Siemens PLM Software’s open business model.”JT2Go was introduced in November 2004 to enable anyone associated with a product’s life cycle—e.g., manufacturers, suppliers, business partners and customers– to easily view 3D product models in real time and from any location, at no cost. JT2Go can be downloaded here .