New Criteria Systems Website Online

Criteria Systems proudly announces the re-launching of our website. The new site features more content, and a better navigation. Furthermore the new website puts our corporate identity into a new light.

Since our inception in 2007, Criteria Systems has worked to develop and improve our website delivery. Now we have completely overhauled the site to bring a new exciting and clear corporate vision to our customers. We are also taking this opportunity to showcase our new product and service offerings, including our status as an authorized value-added reseller of AutoCAD 2010 software.

The new website features an easy-to-follow navigation, more dynamic content and more comprehensive information about our products and services. Each page features a consistent drop-down menu and other navigation tools make the site very simple to work-through. Lots of Flash content demonstrates how each of our applications and offerings are presented. Dynamic content such as this also emphasizes the 3D work we undertake at Criteria Systems. A key development of the re-worked site has been to provide better content so that our customers are empowered with the knowledge and tools they need.

Apart from the look of the site, there are a great many 'under-the-hood' improvements that should help us increase our exposure and search engine rankings.

The initial feedback on the in-house designed and built site has been so positive, that we have decided to offer website design as one of our design services. "The look and feel of the site is great," comments one reviewer, "it takes Criteria Systems to a whole new level." Stay tuned to www.criteria-systems.com in the future as we continue to push the boundaries of website design.

Merry Christmas

Ogre Scan

This is another scan from our 3D scanning system. Please visit www.criteria-systems.com for more information.

New 3D Scans

We have uploaded some new video of 3D scan results.  The detail level of these scans is incredible. 













Stay tuned for more innovative breakthroughs at Criteria Systems!

3D Scanning Applications

3D Laser scanning is the process of measuring any given object by means of a laser beam and digitizing the information.

Our scanning systems work by reading a reflected laser beam off of the original object. The scan system then builds a 3D model of the object. This model can be modified in a CAD-system or used for copying the exact shape, or rapid prototyped out as a one to one or scaled version of the original.

With our latest scanning technology it is also to capture the color of an object. This can be used on a prototype as well.  3D Scanning with Criteria Systems can therefore be used to:

• minimize development costs
• reduce/eliminate CAD development time
  
• shorten development periods 
• enter the market much faster

As the following diagram illustrates, the applications for 3D scanning include reverse engineering, triangle mesh creation for export to CAD, animation, simulation and CNC tool path applications, as well as for quality assurance testing.

For more information please visit our 3D scanning page here, and our 3D scanning gallery

Criteria Systems Adds AutoCAD 2010 to Design and Engineering Software Portfolio

Criteria Systems Adds AutoCAD 2010 to Design and Engineering Software Portfolio

Calgary, Alberta, October 2, 2009 – Criteria Systems Ltd. today announced it has become an Autodesk authorized value-added reseller of AutoCAD 2010 software.

AutoCAD is the world's leading design and documentation platform.  The 2010 release provides more power and innovation to help customers document, communicate, explore and customize design ideas. With new free-form design tools, users can easily explore ideas in 3D models to create almost any shape they can imagine. New PDF import and underlay and enhanced publishing features can improve two-way communication with the extended design team. In addition, the introduction of constraint-based parametric drawing tools enables users to define persistent relationships between objects, accelerating crucial design revision workflows. AutoCAD 2010 now also supports 3D printing, which makes it easy to produce physical 3D models and physical prototypes by connecting to on-demand 3D printing services or personal 3D printers.

"Providing customers with the powerful 3D design tools that enable them to stretch the limits of their creativity was our priority for the 2010 release of AutoCAD," said Guri Stark, Autodesk vice president, AutoCAD and Platform Products. "With the support of Criteria Systems Ltd., we look forward to helping even more design professionals use AutoCAD to the take their documentation and design further."

Empower your Creativity: In order to provide customers with industry-leading tools to empower their creativity, Criteria Systems Ltd. is proud to announce their role as an authorized Autodesk reseller.  Criteria Systems is dedicated to meeting the needs of our clients in the 3D CAD world and are excited about what the AutoCADsoftware offers our customers.  For our rapid prototyping customers, the direct support of 3D printing makes AutoCAD software a smart choice.

Criteria Systems offers the latest in rapid prototyping, 3D scanning and design services. Based in Calgary, Alberta, our cost-effective solutions for rapid prototyping get parts into your hands quickly for evaluations and approvals. We also specialize in foam prototyping for your large format prototyping needs. Rapid Prototyping (RP) is a common name given to a variety of technologies that are used to create three dimensional prototypes directly from CAD files or digitally scanned data. In general the technologies create models of material in thin layers. These additive technologies offer advantages in many applications compared to subtractive fabrication methods such as milling or turning. With Criteria Systems, you also can also incorporate color and graphics into your rapid prototype models.  Along with years of experience in CAD and 3D design, Criteria Systems is now offering AutoCAD 2010 software as part of its product portfolio. 

Autodesk carefully selects resellers to help ensure a strong partner network capable of superior, responsive service. Today, there are more than 1700 resellers serving more than 9 million Autodesk users worldwide with exemplary proficiency in the demonstration, installation and support of Autodesk products. Authorized Autodesk Resellers gain a dependable partner in Autodesk, receiving incentives, marketing support, training for sales and technical representatives, and business planning and management guidance. 

Availability
For more information about Autocad 2010, visit Criteria Systems online at http://www.criteria-systems.com, or contact toll free at 1 (866) 723-9977.
About Criteria Systems Ltd.

At Criteria Systems we provide the best customer service and deliver the best quality design services and rapid prototype solutions at a competitive price. We offer cutting-edge technology to our customers, but above everything else we listen and respond to our customer needs. We continually work to improve and develop the company to provide the maximum benefit to our customers.



# # #
Autodesk and AutoCAD are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Wild Thing Prototype

A rapid prototype model of the Wild Thing has been produced.


Hair and some additional features have been added to the model prior to production. The model stands ~5" (125 mm) high. Based on this physical prototype, the model will be revised and set up for large-format production as a foam model.

Where the Wild Things Are 3D Model

We are currently undertaking the following project to bring a character from Where the Wild Things Are to life. The piece has been modeled and will now move to enlargement and production in foam as a foam prototype.



The hair will be added to the physical model. Stay tuned for updates.

Interesting Article About Rapid Prototyping

Check out this article about different Rapid Prototyping technologies.
Rapid-Prototyping Technologies Enhance-Innovation Opportunity

3D Design Services at Criteria Systems

More galleries online

We have now completed the upload of galleries for rapid prototyping, 3D scanning, design and foam prototyping at http://www.criteria-systems.com/galleries.htm

Please check out the images, and let us know what you think.

Rapid Prototyping Gallery Online

We are beta testing our online rapid prototyping gallery at http://www.criteria-systems.com/prototype_gallery.htm.


Please check it out and let us know what you think.



In the near future we will be adding design and 3D scanning galleries as well. Stay tuned at http://www.criteria-systems.com.

Call for 3D Submissions

Our post on the ConceptArt.org forums (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=154026) states:



Submit 3D Models for Rapid Prototyping

We are currently accepting submissions of 3D models to add to our upcoming online gallery at Criteria Systems.

In exchange for suitable submissions we will offer a free rapid model of the piece in full color (you only need to cover the shipping and handling).

In addition to rapid prototyping, we also offer larger scale production via CNC machining.

For more information on how to qualify please email us via our website at http://www.criteria-systems.com.

Cheers!
__________________
CRITERIA SYSTEMS
www.criteria-systems.com

Photos of work

Find more photos like this on Criteria Systems

Rapid Prototyping and Innovation Article

Check out this article on rapid prototyping and innovation.

http://www.innovationtools.com/Articles/EnterpriseDetails.asp?a=396

For more great articles like this check out hte Adventure of Innovation website

Vinyl Toy Model

Here is a model for a Vinyl toy designed at Criteria Systems. This is to be made as part of an upcoming short-production series. The ears and graphics will be different on various models.

Join Criteria Systems on Twitter

Join Twitter to keep up to the minute with Criteria Systems.



http://twitter.com/criteriasystems

Forum Launched

Check out the Criteria Systems forum site here. Post ideas, comments and discussions. The site requires membership, but great networking potential.

Tips for Your 3D Printed Rapid Prototype

Three-dimensional printers can save you a lot of time and money, but if you are unaware of some of their complexities, you may not get exactly what you expected out of the machine when you pick up your models at the end of the day. From working with your original CAD file to making it suitable for 3D printing, importing it into the printer’s software preparing your digital file, to finishing off the part at the end of the process, the actions you take in each step can have a significant impact on your model.

Guidelines
As a general rule, all geometries must be able to exist in the real world. All geometric parts have a minimum wall thickness. For functional walls that hold parts together, it must be at least 1 to 2 mm. Minimum feature size resolution can be as low as 0.1 mm for ornamental features such as raised text or a font size equal to four.

File preparation
As an option, remove unnecessary geometry. This helps the system operate faster because it shrinks the file size. For example, you might not need to visualize certain parts on the inside of your model, such as an engine under the hood of a car. Or, when you are only concerned with one area of the design, you might want to remove the detail on the backside or any other unnecessary external feature. Printing these parts can also consume additional system resources. However, this step is optional and depends on the application. Oftentimes removing the parts is more difficult than dealing with a slow system.

Once you export the file out of a CAD program, check it thoroughly and fix any problems. Make sure the file contains only solids and eliminate features that register only as surfaces. For example, tabletops may lack a thickness dimension, so a 3D printer will not print them. An object may look solid from afar, but as you zoom in, the sides may not be completely closed. Unless you check files before printing, you could end up with a model that is missing features that appeared on your screen and in your file, but did not print. For example, many tabletops in houses are one-dimensional; they do not have any thickness.

Because file checking can be complex as well as critical to a successful print job, some 3D printer manufacturers now offer software packages that execute this task. The ZEditTM Pro, for example, checks files automatically upon importation and fixes those that it can fix without your intervention.

Size your part appropriately. If necessary, split the model in half. Some printer systems will help you build orientation pins to accommodate this action. If you are using a process such as Criteria System’s, and the model is too big, our printers will let you create holes so as not to use too much material.


Know the capabilities of your printer Criteria System’s printers not only add color; they print labels, dates, filenames, logos, and annotations.

Know your options
Our software lets you to add color to different parts of your assembly or color each part individually to help illustrate a point or to highlight an internal piece. In addition, the printer can apply a virtual sticker to the model. You can add labels, print a filename, date, owner, logo, or annotations on the part to help with traceability.

3D Design and Rapid Prototyping from Criteria Systems

Baseball Movie

This baseball was created on our 3D scanning system.

3D Scanning

This 3D scan was made up of several separate scans and stitched together to form a watertight mesh. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.criteria-systems.com.

Fireplace 001

his fireplace model has been designed for production using Streamline Automation's FROG3D mold production system. For this project a scale model using the construction CAD data was produced on our rapid prototyping system for client approval. For more information, visit our website at www.criteria-systems.com.

For more information on Streamline Automation's FROG3D System, please visit www.3dcutting.com.

Roman Chariot Criteria

This Roman relief was created with our 3D scanner and ArtCAM Pro software. The model was output to ZBrush for rendering.

Rotary Design

This model was created in Rhino and output to our Rapid Prototyping system.

Troll Movie2

This model was created in Z-Brush and prototyped on a 3D printer.

Fantasy Skull

This model was created and rendered in Z-Brush.

Criteria Systems Launches AdventureofInnovation.com

Criteria Systems has launched Adventure of Innovation. At the Adventure of Innovation site, you will find links to important resources for product developers, inventors and anyone else interested in the innovation process.



Adventure of Innovation will be posting articles on interesting subjects involving innovation.

In development is a Directory of Innovators where users can peruse others involved in innovative activities.

So please go to http://www.adventureofinnovation.com and check out the site!