First name/version and build number: Pro/ENGINEER (Autofact 1987 premier) R 1.0

Most recent name/version and build number: Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire R 4.0

Pro/ENGINEER is a “parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). It was the “first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software.” It is an “integral part of a broader product development system developed by PTC” and a “feature based modeling architecture incorporated into a single database philosophy with advanced rule based design capabilities.”

Pro/ENGINEER, which is very useful in mechanical engineering, design, and manufacturing, was developed by Dr. Samuel P. Geisberg, and it became the “first successful rule-based constraint (sometimes called ‘parametric’ or ‘variational’) 3D CAD modeling system.” It is supported by Microsoft Windows and UNIX platforms. Its functionalities include NC and tooling design, surfacing, routed systems design, etc. It uses a “rich and powerful design approach,” called the parametric modeling approach, which ultimately allows “design automation and the optimization of design and product development processes.” The approach is very useful when a prescriptive design strategy is very critical to a design process.

Model data in Pro/ENGINEER can be used for finite element analysis, rapid prototyping, tooling design, and CNC manufacturing. Without conversion, data among CAD, CAE, and CAM modules can be interchanged. Engineering drawings in Pro/ENGINEER are fully associative, which allows users to change a design at any stage of the development process, thereby producing a design, analysis and manufacturing engineers who are “working in parallel.” Fully associative engineering drawings allow an accurate modeling of a product and its bill of materials.

Capabilities of Pro/ENGINEER are divided into three types: engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing. Pro/ENGINEER also provides tools (aside from general geometry tools) for other integrated design disciplines and for incorporating ECAD designs into 3D modeling environments. It also allows the use of concept design tools that range from conceptual industrial design sketches to comprehensive freeform surface tools to provide industrial design concepts. It considers things such as human factors and design optimization in the development of a product. Pro/ENGINEER is well-equipped with tools for manufacturing such as tooling design and simulated CNC machining and output. It also includes options for die-casting and progressive tooling design. Pro/ENGINEER connects to other products of PTC such as Windchill, ProductView, Mathcad, and Arbortext.

Reference:
“Pro/ENGINEER.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 8 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro/ENGINEER>.