Physna is a new application that provides a geometric search engine for CAD designers and manufacturing professionals. Short for “Physical DNA,” Physna can analyze a database of 3D models to find parts and compare them to one another, aiming to save designers time and prevent them from having to remodel existing parts.
Physna enables users to search parts by similarity to a given reference, as well as by variables including compliance standards, material and cost. Users can also specify tolerances on each search parameter. The software works by meshing the models and measuring each triangle to find patterns.
“The results are faster and more accurate than ever before possible,” said Physna CEO Paul Powers.
Physna is available as a plug-in for Siemens Solid Edge and as a stand-alone application. The company claims that new CAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) integrations are continually being added, though a list of currently supported applications is unavailable [see update below].
“Physna is becoming the Google of the physical world,” Powers added, expressing his lofty vision for the new software.
You can request a demo of the software on the Physna website.
Update (04/11/19): Physna has confirmed that the following CAD and PLM platforms integrate with Physna:
- Siemens: NX, Solid Edge, Teamcenter
- Dassault Systemes: CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA
- PTC: Creo, Windchill
- Autodesk: AutoCAD