CATI Tech Notes

Update to the CATI Customer Portal

How can you contact CATI support, let me count the ways. You can call us at 888 285 CATI, you can email us at support@cati.com and, since November 2004, you can use the CATI Customer Portal. The portal has been a success, but at 5 years old, it is beginning to show it's age, so we have developed a new version, with a new look and a lot of new features.

The new CATI Customer Portal is based on the same system we use to run our business, so the information shown is up to date instantly. This platform allows us to make changes to the system as our needs  change.

The new Portal follows the theme of the CATI web page. It has tool tip help for most functions as well as a complete help screen.

It is still in the testing phase, but we wanted to make a preview available for customers to comment on, so it is now available as an option. When you access our online support page you get the option to use the old or the new system. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Go Boilers!!!

Keeping Track of Network License Usage

Want to know how often you are running out of network licenses in a day, week, or month?  You can do this using the SolidNetWork License Administrator log file.   This can be helpful to determine if you need to purchase another license of SolidWorks.  To do this, on the server, launch the SolidNetWork license Administrator and select the “Server Administration” tab.  From here, you can access the log file.  Open the log file, and run a search for “DENIED” or “license number of users already reached”. 

 

**Note that this log file is reset every time the SolidNetWork License server is restarted. So you can only get the results since the last start of the server.

 

In addition, I am attaching a tool that SolidWorks created for us that will help count this as well. 

Download SNL_Log_Scanner

You specify the path of the log file (typically this will be C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNetWork License Manager\lmgrd.log) and then enter the string to search (Also “DENIED” in this case).

How is a SolidWorks Network License (SNL) Manager upgraded?

As companies are making the switch to SolidWorks 2009, we receive many calls on how to upgrade a SolidWorks Network License.  To make this easier for you, here are the steps to upgrading a SolidWorks Network License:

 

STEP 1:  Obtain a SolidNetWork License File

The SolidNetWork License (SNL) file is a text file containing license information that clients access to check licenses in and out. 

To obtain an SNL file with an existing Customer Center account, follow these steps:

1.      Go to https://customercenter.solidworks.com

2.      Type email address and password and click ‘Sign-In’

3.      Select the ‘My Products’ link. 

4.      Select the serial number for the correct version and pick ‘Get License’.

5.      A license file will be emailed to you.

6.      With the receipt of the email, copy the SNL file (text file) to the hard drive in a location where it can easily be browsed to.

To obtain an SNL file without an existing Customer Center account, follow these steps:

1.      Go to https://customercenter.solidworks.com

2.      Select the link to create a new account

3.      Select the ‘Register My Products’ link. 

4.      Enter the serial number and other requested information and a license file will then be emailed

5.      With the receipt of the email, copy the SNL file (text file) to the hard drive in a location where it can easily be browsed to.

STEP 2:  Remove the old SolidNetWork License Server/Manager
Note: A SolidNetWork License (SNL) Manager for a newer release can distribute licenses for clients remaining at the previous release as well.

To upgrade the SNL Manager on a license server:

1. In Windows, click Start, All Programs, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator
2. On the Server Administration tab, under License Server, click Stop, then click OK
3. Unplug the USB Dongle from the server
4. Open the Control Panel and open Add or Remove Programs
5. Select SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, click Remove, and confirm the deletion
6. In Windows Explorer, delete the SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager folder.  This location is typically C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\SolidNetWork License Manager.
7. Install the new SNL Manager as described in STEP 3 below

STEP 3: Install the new SolidNetWork License Server/Manager
The license server supports multiple license clients. It distributes licenses to clients on the network.  Note: This needs to be done while physically on the server.  A remote connection will not install the product correctly.

To install a new SNL Manager on a license server:

1. Insert SolidWorks DVD 1 into the license server drive
2. The Installation Manager will launch listing your SolidWorks Serial Number.  If no serial number is listed, enter your Network Serial number beneath ‘Serial number for SolidWorks Standard, Professional, Premium, or SolidNetWork License’
3. Click Next
4. For Installation Type select ‘Administrative Image and Server Products’
   1. Put a check next to ‘Install SolidNetWork License Server (distributed licensing) on this computer.’
5. Click Next
6. Follow the on-screen directions and on the last page select Install
7. Once the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box comes up, plug the USB Dongle back into the server
8. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box, under Server Type, select Single and click Next
9. In the Server Information box, if the company uses a firewall, select ‘a firewall is in use on this server’
   1. Use the port number and vendor daemon port number default values, or type the port numbers that are being used and click Next.
      Note:  The port number is a TCP/IP port number in the 1024 - 60000 range, used exclusively by this process. The default, 25734, is normally suitable and is unlikely to be the same as any other FLEXlm server process currently on the license server.
10. Click Read to enter the license information. Browse to and open the SNL file obtained in STEP 1 above.  The licenses appear in the wizard.
11. Click Finish twice.

For additional information on installation procedures for SolidWorks products, refer to the “Admin Guides” link here…

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/Administration_guides/ServicePacks.html

The ‘SolidWorks Installation and Administration Guide’ describes various licensing and installation methods available for SolidWorks.

Leslie Lougheed

How to convert image into real data?

Have you wondered how to get data from an image ? May be you were looking at stress - strain curve of a material and wanted to plug that into SolidWorks Simulation, or getting fan curves online to predict cooling effect on a circuit board. But how to get this data from an image you found online or engineering handbook?

A Ruler and scale measurement would be time consuming and bring back old school memories. In todays digital world you could use a software to generate accurate data. Sounds wonderful....icing on the cake ...software is FREE.

Engauge Digitizer works great for tracing curves, has image processing tools, inbuilt tutorials. Data can be exported to Excel, MATLAB and a host of other softwares. Software is available for multiple platforms Windows, MAC, Linux.

Thank Open Source activists for this wonderful tool!

Rajat Trehan
Product Manager - Design Validation
Computer Aided Technology Inc.

How to apply boundary conditions to match real world scenarios?

Getting the boundary conditions to correlate to actual scenario is challenge analysts face on a daily bases. Having 3D geometry and knowing how you want the product behave is only half the battle. SolidWorks Simulation is only helpful if the user can realistically depict component interaction.

With a little bit intuition and help from SolidWorks Simulation users can generate these accurately. If you access study properties, you see options called “ use soft spring to stabilize model” and “inplane effects”. These two magic buttons help in getting real world answers.

Use Soft Spring to stabilize model: If there are not enough restraints in the model or if you are not sure where to apply restraints you can check this option. By checking this box, user instructs the software to apply artificial restraints in all 3 (x, y, z) directions. Once, the problem has run check displacement results in x, y and z directions. The direction that sees maximum displacement is the direction user needs to apply restraints. Once we have enough restraints user can uncheck soft spring option to get real life results.

Use Inplane effect :This option helps users consider stiffness effects on the model. Meaning, if loaded under tension the plane of loading will behave more stiff or strong. Similarly if loads are compressive in nature the loading plane will get weaker.

 

While these two options are helpful the software also has restraint advisor. User can right click on fixture to activate the fixture advisor. The advisor asks questions to get a basic understanding of the system being simulated. The questions talk about how the parts are put together (fastners / weld etc). The advisor makes suggestions based on user input.

The best technique to test how a component moves is to look at displacement animations. If the system components do not interact properly user needs to tweak the set up.

Hopefully this should give every analyst a sense of direction in setting up simulations.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager – Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

Free SolidWorks Sheet Metal Training Kicks off the CATI Virtual Classroom

The CATI tech team has been working on a new way to get our customers the training they need without the time and expense of travel to attend a class. After a lot of research and development, we are happy to be launching the CATI Virtual Classroom.

We are calling it CATI Virtual Classroom, because the technology we are using allows us to run a class just as if you are in the training room. You will see and hear the instructor and their presentation live. You will be able to ask questions and give feedback. The students use our training lab through the system, so you don’t have to configure your computer for class. This way the instructor can see what you are doing and give feedback as you go. The system is based on WebEx’s Online Classroom, which has won multiple awards as the best in class solution for this type of training.

Because the class is attended from any location and no travel is required, we have spread out the schedule for the CATI Virtual Classroom. The class will be run in the morning or afternoon for 3 ½ hours split about half for lecture and half for exercises. You can even review the lectures if you like because they are recorded and made available online.

To kick off the CATI Virtual Classroom, the inaugural class, SolidWorks Sheet Metal, March 23, 25 and 27th will be offered FREE to CATI customers currently on subscription for SolidWorks. If you are interested go to our web site and register now, because space is limited.

What does support mean to your organization?

As times are tough and every company tries to cringe for money, one the places companies are tightening strings is subscription services. If you have been using the software for some while, putting value for money could be difficult.

We had a customer, l am going to call them ABC Company, who bought Flow Simulation software. They started attacking higher end flow analysis right off the bat. Their engineering goals required them to use higher end computers having the processing and solving power to complete projects in time.  Having just bought software their budget for the month did not permit them to buy new machine right away. They were forced to wait for 2 weeks before they could get the required money. This meant two things (a) either cut back on deliverables on projects for 2 weeks (b) delay projects by 2 weeks.

They called CATI technical group for help. We ascertained their goals and ensured having a higher end machine would be appropriate. We set up a machine at our office, the customer could log into at his will. They could get into the machine and solve their tests getting results they needed. This was a temporary solution until they get a machine. This helped customer to move the project at a desired pace and meet their time lines. Having delivered on time they won more business. So the software paid for itself in the first two weeks.

The subscription service ensures you get software updates and access to our technical expertise. Having a support team that responds dynamically to your needs is important in current times. We understand you are not faced with similar situations everyday, and you work hard to meet your goals. Let us help you get there!

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager – Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.