CAD/CAM/CAE Monthly Newsletter: A faster fast Fourier transform

I tossed this MIT article to some of my mathematician friends and asked if it could potentially affect analysis — particularly vibrational analysis. They didn't seem to think it would have much effect. But what do I know? What do you think? Send in your answer and I might publish it here.

"The reason the Fourier transform is so prevalent is an algorithm called the (FFT), devised in the mid-1960s, which made it practical to calculate Fourier transforms on the fly. Ever since the FFT was proposed, however, people have wondered whether an even faster algorithm could be found. At the Association for Computing Machinery’s Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (SODA) this week, a group of MIT researchers will present a new algorithm that, in a large range of practically important cases, improves on the fast Fourier transform. Under some circumstances, the improvement can be dramatic — a tenfold increase in speed. The new algorithm could be particularly useful for image compression, enabling, say, smartphones to wirelessly transmit large video files without draining their batteries or consuming their monthly bandwidth allotments." Read the rest of the article

Articles

A “million-dollar” idea?

A high percentage of inventors come to me with their “million-dollar” idea. More times than not, my response is, “Really? How much money have you made so far?” It’s not that I am in the business of dashing dreams or slaying hope. I believe my role as a patent attorney is to guide inventors along the rocky road of getting a product to market — with the inventor and his or her will-to-invent still intact

CFD software calculates underwater speed for a small sub

In the past, one way to calculate how much power a submarine needs was to put a scale model of it into a test tank flowing with water and measure the model’s resistance to the flow stream. But thanks to advancements in computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) software, this task can now take place in an engineering office.

Better welding through simulation

Industries such as shipbuilding, aerospace, defense, offshore energy, automotive, and nuclear energy rely heavily on welding. For example, a single automobile can contain 5,000 to 10,000 welds. Yet many engineers consider the practice of welding more art than science. That’s because welding depends on the skill and competence of the individual welder or on the quality of robotic-welder programming.

New Products

Proprietary software lets company optimize flexible shafts

PerflexiIon proprietary software can optimize the performance attributes of any flexible rotary shaft, exceeding those required by current customer specifications. The software lets design engineers statistically capture and balance properties including torsion strength, bending flexibility, torsion deflection, and point of helix. Users can thus calculate the optimal shaft design without a compromise in device performance.

Android app lets users view CAD drawings and models

The TurboViewer app for the Android includes fast native 2D and 3D DWG and DXF viewing, the capability to navigate full-screen preview during file load, and smooth multi-touch navigation while panning, zooming, and orbiting. The app also lets users restore saved AutoCAD views to quickly display the best vision of their designs.

Software finds parts by shape

3DPartFinder is a geometry-based search engine that works inside of SolidWorks. It lets users search by shape and then finds and displays similar parts. Besides SolidWorks, the software works with Workgroup PDM and Enterprise PDM, making it easier to find parts and their related information.

A faster fast Fourier transform