University of Pisa Leans on Dynamic Modeling Technology
CoCreate Design and Collaboration Software

Some universities count Nobel laureates among their ranks as a metric for esteem. Others feature politicians or celebrities. However, few universities can claim greater praise for their alumni than Italy’s University of Pisa, a venerable institution that boasts scientific titans Galileo Galilei and Enrico Fermi among its alumni. One of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious universities, Pisa’s engineering program ranks among the best in its class. You would hardly expect less from the resident engineers in a city featuring a certain tower, perhaps the world’s most famous engineering marvel.

With a storied reputation to uphold, the University of Pisa must exercise a certain level of discrimination when selecting engineering software and other applications. When it came time for the school to purchase new design, data management and collaboration software, the institution turned to CoCreate.

“We tested various 3-D products, but CoCreate’s unique dynamic modeling technology will help our students work productively in days,” says Professor Leo Piccinini of the University of Pisa. “Other CAD systems took weeks to learn.” Ease of use is imperative for applications in fast-paced learning environments like the University of Pisa. Wasted time spent trying to understand software could be used to hone design and project management knowledge--the purpose of the endeavor.

Students at the University of Pisa are using CoCreate’s OneSpace Designer Modeling program, a full-function 3-D modeling software application that uses dynamic modeling as its foundation. Dynamic modeling lets users work with a design like a piece of clay, making changes easily even without knowledge of how the model was originally created. OneSpace Designer Modeling also provides a data exchange--which allows users to bring in models from other formats like STEP, IGES and SAT--drawing generation and machining capabilities.

“Dynamic modeling allows students to concentrate on engineering rather than dealing with software-specific elements such as history trees or geometry constraints,” explains Piccinini.

“OneSpace Designer is the only real alternative to history-based CAD applications,” adds Sandro Barone, another professor at the university.

Students at University of Pisa will use CoCreate’s 2-D and 3-D CAD solutions, as well as Model Manager, data management software that helps manage design data. “It’s very important for students to understand the entire solution,” says Carlo Culla, an instructor at the university. “The product data management software will help enormously as students learn not just to create designs but also to manage projects.” Model Manager organizes designs and associated files in a database, allowing users to find, load, reload and store assemblies with simple control of versioning and shared parts. It also automatically notifies users when others have made changes to a document, part or assembly. Files can be bundled in packets, which can be routed to other individuals who may need to work with the data.

The university will also use OneSpace.net, CoCreate’s project team collaboration software. The program combines architecture for Web services with concepts such as organized projects, secure messaging, presence awareness and real-time online meetings. “Being able to work on a distributed project team is requisite for engineers entering the work force today,” says Professor Barone. “Our graduates will have a tremendous advantage by knowing how to use collaboration software to overcome obstacles teams face when working across locations and time zones.”

The university maintains a long-standing relationship with CoCreate partner BT Informatica. The Lucca, Italy-based company will install the software and provide training to the university.

“We’re thrilled to be working with the University of Pisa,” says William M. Gascoigne, CoCreate’s CEO. “We have long felt that the engineering landscape is changing; many of today’s engineers spend less than 50 percent of their time working on a CAD system. Data management, outsourcing and working with teams in other geographies have created an environment in which flexibility and collaboration are the rule. We’re happy to see Pisa’s next generation of engineers learning with tools that provide just this foundation.”

CoCreate Design and Collaboration Software

Benefits

• User-friendly interface and intuitive platform
• Robust data-exchange capability

www.cocreate.com