Learn . Create . Succeed

Successful SolidWorks Modeling As Seconds Tick Away At Jakarta Expo

2013-05-22T08:27:00-04:00

Can you model this assembly in SolidWorks as you compete to be the fastest in a room filled with engineering students?

The Politeknik Negeri Jakarta Exhibition winners in Indonesia last month were determined by fractions of seconds. Engineering students had to model all components of an assembly 100% correctly based on mass properties and design intent.

Hosted with SolidWorks reseller, Trimedia Persada, Jakarta becomes the latest city to host an engineering competition utilizing SolidWorks software.

Congratulations to all the engineering students that attempted the challange. Congratulations to the winners. Marie

SolidWorks Flex Feature

2013-05-20T14:30:00-04:00

This video covers the SolidWorks flex feature which allows you to deform bodies in complex ways. The details of how to use this feature as well as the 4 different flex types are shown. The four flex types are, bend, twist, taper, and stretch. With the flex feature, the user has the ability to control where the center of the feature is located, what part of the model is affected, as well as the extent of the flex feature. I hope you find this video helpful and try using this feature in your next model.

Ian Jutras

Formula SAE Michigan 2013 - Uplifting

2013-05-17T07:36:23-04:00

Georgia Tech performed a "ground-up" redesign on this years FSAE with a focus on balancing outright performance with safety and reliability.

All 4 wheels stayed on the ground during Universidad Simon Bolivard Skid Pad, the test that meaures the car's cornering ability on a flat surface while making a constant-radius turn.

You can get a great view of the teams waiting to race in acceleration and skid pad from the following video. See if you can spot Oregon (1), Univ Michigan (5), TU Graz (6), Purdue (29), NU Singapore (85), Univ of Akron, Univ Stuttgart (3), Univ du Quebec (30), KU (11), Michigan State (15), Univ of Manitoba (86), York College of PA (27), NC State (22), Univ Laval (73), Univ of Toledo (31), Univ of Ontario (115). What coordination from SAE judges.

Congratulations to the Universitat Stuttgart for an exciting engineering competition. The Stuttgart nose was clearly visible on the outside. Inside, the reduced weight produced better handling and faster acceleration.

The SolidWorks EDU team congratulates all the teams that participated at FSAE Michigan.

Thank you SAE - FSAE Michigan truly is an uplifting engineering event.

If you are competing in Lincoln or any other SAE event, we cant wait to see you. For 2013-2014 sponsorship, go to www.solidworks.com/sae. We begin shipping June 30, 2013. Marie

Formula FSAE Michigan 2013 - For the Love of Engineering Part 3

2013-05-14T09:27:19-04:00

We passed inspection! Three words the University of Maine - Black Bear Racing team needed to hear in their light, quick, and affordable race car.

Before any car races on the track, the vehicle must pass a series of technical inspections. University of Maryland racing team passed inspection. I had a chance to review the team's aerodynamic front and rear wings - impressive.

My husband David recorded some of the inspections so I can share with you.

Drivers must exit the vehicle in 5 seconds or less. You can almost feel the drivers heart pounding. Southern Polytechnic State University from Georgia shows you how it is done.

How long can your car hang on its side? Universidad Simon Bolivar from Venezula shows you in this video. Just when you think you are tilted enough, the driver must hold on - watch til the end.

These students love engineering and it shows. Marie

SolidWorks Wrap Feature

2013-05-13T14:30:00-04:00

This video covers the SolidWorks wrap feature. The details of how to use this feature as well as the different options available while using this feature are shown. This tool is useful in order to place text or other designs on planer and non-planer surfaces. Using this feature you can add, subtract, or scribe the wrapped text. I hope you find this video informative and trying using this feature in your next model.

Ian Jutras

Formula Michigan 2013 - For the Love of Engineering Part 2

2013-05-11T10:23:24-04:00

If you have a FSAE car on the track at Michigan, you push the car to the track and you push the car from the track. The Jayhawks Motorsports team from the University of Kansas - Lawrence (KU) is at the same hotel with the SolidWorks EDU team.

KU's team has grown with successful FSAE wins in FSAE Lincoln and FSAE Hybrid Electric in 2012 - we thank KU for their SolidWorks model that will be on the FSAE Lincoln Tshirts next month.

Use of color and great design is apparent at FSAE. You can't help but spot the bright yellow vehicle from Dalhousie University. They introduced an electro-mechanical paddle shifter at their forth year at FSAE.

Oakland University, from the home state of Michigan, was ready to go early in the competition. Marie

Formula SAE Michigan 2013 - For the Love of Engineering

2013-05-10T17:13:31-04:00

When you step on the path to the Michigan International Speedway for Formula SAE, you can't help falling in love with engineering and design.

Some teams come from afar - like Venezuela's Universidad Simon Bolivar.

I got to spend some time with the Penn State Racing team with their new suspension, using SolidWorks Design optimization and rapid prototyping.

Talking to 100's of students only makes the experience even better.

RPI had a beautiful car body but withdrew - even before the event began, they will be back stronger next year.

Like Northern Illinois University team members, students work hard, compete hard, and score well-earned points today. Marie

Formula Hybrid Students Advance Across Electrical, Mechanical and Computer Engineering

2013-05-07T12:24:04-04:00

Congratulations to Yale for placing 1st in Formula Hybrid 2013 in Hybrid and Dartmouth College in Electric Only.

For seven years, I love to go to Formula Hybrid. The beautiful mountains and Loudon New Hampshire Motor Speedway combine to make the perfect place to celebration of engineering advacement.

My colleagues Chris and Ryan got to visit with alumni from RPI. RPI students have implemented Workgroup PDM to keep track of drawing revisions - easy. We created tutorials and videos to help all teams control revisions - it's in our sponsorship software.

University of Michigan had great posters featuring SolidWorks Simulation calculating stress analysis results and thermal stress.

I can't wait to introduce SolidWorks Electrical to hybrid teams for next year.

We will see the Georgia Tech Hybrid team again as our guests at ASEE in Atlanta next month. Now its off to Formula SAE Michigan. I just love this time of year. Marie

SolidWorks Freeform Feature

2013-05-06T14:30:00-04:00

Check out this video that covers the SolidWorks freeform feature. The details of how to use this feature as well as the different options associated with this feature are presented. This tool is very useful in order to create desired shapes that would be next to impossible without this tool. Models that need comfortable grips or that require very complex curvatures can easily be created. The feature allows points to be manipulated along control curves in order to the desired shape.

I hope you find this tool helpful and try using it in your next model.

Ian Jutras

GoldieBlox - The Magic of Engineering for Little Girls

2013-05-01T14:13:40-04:00

What kind of toys do little girls play with? Do toys influence decisions on how engineering is perceived by girls as they grow up?

When Debbie Sterling looked to buy toys for her friend’s children, there wasn’t much of a selection to explore her engineering passion. So with her savings, support from family, and a lot of research, she designed and developed GoldieBlox.

GoldieBlox is construction toy and book series, targeted at girls, starting at age 6. Goldie is creative kid who likes to invent things. With Goldie’s help, you read instructions and design a solution to a problem. Goldie is not afraid to fail, she never gives up. Goldie’s friends, a well-dressed bear, pretty ballerina dolphin, and cute puppy, join in the fun to create wonderful things that connect, twirl and swivel.

GoldieBloxis more than just a game. It is a movement to show little girls the magic of engineering. In the US, American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) statistics report 18% women engineering graduates. Women find other careers after graduation in business, medicine, and law, never practicing their degree. Simply attend a American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME), IEEE or SolidWorks user group meeting and you are at 5% women, or less.

At Stanford, Debbie took her first engineering class as an elective, she was majoring in art. Debbie used SolidWorks in class. Seeing how creative engineers could be, Debbie switched her major to product design. For eight years she worked as a designer, and then took a big leap of faith with Goldie.

In US/Canada, you can find GoldieBlox direct or at listed stores on their website or on internationally on Amazon.com.

What fun engineering experience is next for Debbie, Goldie and her friends? The SolidWorks model below gives a clue.

The SolidWorks Education team wishes Goldie a life time of engineering magic. Marie

Dell Precision T7600 Product Demo

2013-04-29T16:45:01-04:00

This demo video of a Dell Precision T7600 with AMD FirePro Graphics was created using SolidWorks Composer. SolidWorks Composer enables you to easily show all features within a product. It uses CAD data that has already been created and connects it to the end product, thus eliminating the disconnect found by using photos or screen shots. The end result is a high quality manual or video that viewers can get right away because it is visual. This video is an example of how a company such as Dell and AMD can use SolidWorks Composer to show their products. I hope you enjoy.

Ian Jutras

Disrupt Dixon's Design in 3D Contest

2013-04-26T06:50:00-04:00

Are your ready for a cool contest? Are you ready to compete with top industrial designer, Tom Dixon?

Go to http://www.mostdisruptingdesign.com/ to find out how. Good luck! Marie

SolidWorks Sketch Tips

2013-04-24T14:30:00-04:00

Check out this video showing some tips and tricks which using sketches. One topic covered in this video is how to change the sketch plane of a sketch once it has already been created. This is a time saving to especially if you have a complex sketch that was drawn on the wrong plane. Others tips that are covered are changing the color of a sketch for easy identification as well as using multiple contours in a sketch.

I hope these tips will help you in your modeling.

Ian Jutras

Mass Art Students Show True Colors at IDSA Northeast

2013-04-21T17:19:25-04:00

This weekend at the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) Northeast, I learned from Gary Natsume, Vice President of ECCO Design, that color is "one of the most critical elements that define our cultural nuances and identity."

As Mass Art students prepared to attend IDSA Northeast, they woke Friday morning to no public transportation and a shelter in place order in the Longwood/Fenway area of Boston, due to last week’s tragic events.

Mass Art students rallied around their merit award representative, Carlos Escobar, and found one car to drive to the event in Hartford, Connecticut by Friday afternoon. A total of 45 students and their faculty advisor, Lars Fischer, made it Saturday morning to cheer on Carlos.

In 10 minutes, Carlos presented his portfolio that consisted of three projects. I listened to the multiple redesigns for product improvement of the "dish" project and the design research project to make traveling feel like home. After three weeks traveling this month - I listened.

The project that stood out for me was the "red4life" project, for Carlos used design to make a difference in his own Boston neighborhood.

I have walked these neighboorhood streets 1000 times from Mass Art on Huntington Ave to Copley Square. Students continue to inspire me with their true colors of design. Marie

SolidWorks Sketch Tool Basics Part 2

2013-04-15T14:30:00-04:00

This video will cover more sketch tools that were not covered in the first part. These tools include offset entities, create new sketch from selection, repair sketch, linear sketch patterns, edit linear sketch patterns and dynamic mirror. The use of these tools can greatly improve the efficiency of creating models. This also includes the ability to find errors in sketches that might prevent features from being made properly. The first part can be found here. I hope you find this video helpful.

Ian Jutras

Three Girls Go to School

2013-04-12T07:13:00-04:00

What if your mother, your daughter, your sister, your friend, or even you could not go to school? Working with Rwanda has opened my eyes to the privileges we have to go to school.

For 7 years, SolidWorks has worked with ETO Gitarama/Nyanza Technical School. Going to school is a privilege. Many students must live at school because villages are too far away. ETO Gitarama is 90% boys, 10% girls.

The DS Women’s Initiative, a group of talented women at the DS North American headquarters, began to think of ways to sponsor a girl to go to school for a year.

The DS Women’s Initiative group raised money and awareness through raffles. The raffles were made up of paintings, jewelry, baskets, books, and other artisan crafts created and donated by DS employees. The employee support was great and the results were greater.

Claudine Nyiramana, Costasie Mujawimana and Monique Uwambajimana, three wonderful girls, can go to school for three years with tuition, housing and books included. Three young ladies, so full of promise and potential, study academic subjects, math and languages, design in SolidWorks, and work with brick, wood, and other natural materials.

Last month, Mark Neil, VP and General Counsel SolidWorks, visited, Leonard Manirambona, the Director/Headmaster of ETO Gitarama. Mark presented the girls with their sponsorship and a photo of the DS Women’s Initiative group.

Mark signed the school’s guest book at the visitor’s desk. The students designed the desk and bookcase in SolidWorks and then built the furniture at their school’s wood shop.

The DS Women’s Initiative group has become the mothers of three very special girls that can go to school and learn skills that can help their family, village and country. Marie

My.SolidWorks Gets the Answers You Need Quicker and Easier

2013-04-10T17:29:03-04:00

For students trying to get through your design projects, or for instructors trying to help your students, My.SolidWorks makes getting the answers you need quicker and easier!

My.SolidWorks is a new online experience that makes engaging with the SolidWorks Community easier than ever. It gives you a single place to find insight and expertise from all over the SolidWorks Community.

The best place to search

If you’re in need of a quick answer to a question, My.SolidWorks provides immediate access to forum discussions, online help, YouTube videos, blog posts and more. You can also search all of those sources for answers with a single click. All of the relevant results are delivered on one page, making it much easier to get in, find an answer, and get back to your design.

Get started

My.SolidWorks is open to anyone at http://my.solidworks.com. You can use My.SolidWorks without registering, but you’ll get the most out of this new site when you’re logged in. Anyone can sign up for an account, and you can access My.SolidWorks using an existing SolidWorks customer account. Sign in or sign up today.

Platforms

My.SolidWorks is supported only on PC browsers (Windows and Mac). Full tablet support and smartphone support are coming soon. Marie

SolidWorks Sketch Tool Basics

2013-04-08T14:30:00-04:00

This video covers the basics of some commonly used sketch tools. These include convert entities, intersection curve, split entities, jog line, trim tool, and extend entities. The tools are very useful when creating slightly more complex sketched or if sketch entities need to be created based off existing geometry. I hope you find this helpful.

Ian Jutras

Cambridge University ECO Racing Team Prepares for the Race of Their Lives

2013-04-03T10:54:00-04:00

With less than 200 days to go, Helena Barman, Peter Mildon, Yang Lu and the entire Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) team are preparing for final exams and the race of their lives. The CUER team is the number 1 solar car team in the UK. They have designed and manufactured a solar car to compete across Australia in the World Solar Challenge.

This CUER team possesses an entrepreneurial spirit. They raised financing through Kick Starter with a well-coordinated campaign.

But it’s not just about the race and applying their engineering skills, the CUER team outreaches to a much younger student audience.

You can find out more about the race and team on the CUER Facebook page and download their latest newsletter.

Download CUER Newsletter - Michaelmas 2012

Thank you for designing with SolidWorks and travel safely. Marie

Ariens Snow Blower Quick Start Guide in SolidWorks Composer

2013-04-01T14:55:00-04:00

This is a video quick start guide for an Ariens Snow Blower that was created in SolidWorks Composer. It shows all the steps needed to start and operate a snow blower. As opposed to trying to explain how to use a product with words, a video can show and tell you what you need to do to get a product up and running. This is a quick and efficient way to learn how to use a product. When a product changes the model and video can be easily updated without having to recreate the entire video. Enjoy!

Ian Jutras

CAD Final Exam To Last a Lifetime

2013-03-29T07:48:00-04:00

Wow, then end of March finds me visiting so many schools. Students are busy with engineering projects and competitions. Instuctors have so much to do during this time between final exams, graduation, grant proposals, and writing letters of recommendation for their students.

Instructors giving the Certified SolidWorks Associate Exam (CSWA Exam) as their final exam will just save time. This year we receive email after email from students telling us how the CSWA certification helped them get a job. So the CSWA has become the best exam for design studnets as companies require mutliple SolidWorks certifications during an employee's career.

Engineering design professors are requiring their tutors to be CSWA certified - making 100's of freshman students to ask the tutors more questions during lab and to get the right answers - reducing frustration.

As the SolidWorks Certification grows in industry to over 90,000+, any school on subscription can apply to give the CSWA exam. All problems are unique and automatically graded. The CSWA exam is available in 10 languages. It is the first exam in a series of life long learning competencies in engineering design including sheet metal, molding, weldments, finite element analysis and advanced modeling techniques.

For instructors who give the CSWA exam, information on each student's competencies and areas of improvement are provided. Students must know how to read multiview engineering drawings and create an accurate models.

Sample CSWA exam: Download CSWASampleExam

The application for your school to become a CSWA provider is at www.SolidWorks.com/CSWA

When I was teaching, I know how challanging it was to come up with final exams for multiple sections - especially in 3D CAD. The CSWA would have saved me alot of time and given my students a leg up in a tough job market.

Marie

SolidWorks Model of a Human Skeleton on My Kitchen Table

2013-03-27T08:39:09-04:00

I found a SolidWorks model of a human skeleton on my kitchen table, so it was time to review thisproject. Every 7 weeks, David teaches an Introduction to CAD course at WPI and corrects the final projects at home. Students can choose their own final project, relevant to their interest – with professor approval.

WPI student, Thomas Jones shared his research and models with me on Artificial Hip Replacement.

Thomas downloaded the human skeleton and human femur from www.3DContentCentral.

Skeleton Femur

From the imported model, he extracted geometry and created the hip replacement parts, inserted components into an assembly, and produced the engineering drawings to document the process.

You can see Thomas’ hip replacement assembly in this eDrawing.

Download Total Hip Replacement_Exploded

Thank you for sharing. Marie

SolidWorks Sketch Rectangle Basics

2013-03-25T14:23:00-04:00

This video looks at the basics of rectangles. The different types of rectangles are explained as well as examples of when to use each one. The intent of this video is to provide newer users of SolidWorks with a base to get them started on using the different kinds of rectangles. I hope you find this helpful.

Ian Jutras

Fun with Physics and SolidWorks

2013-03-20T09:36:41-04:00

I have fun with physics. I have fun with math. Your students can have fun too with this SolidWorks Motion Tutorial from our friends in Cuda Country.

Use SolidWorks to create a Car and Track assembly. Then create a Motion Study using functions: Solve as Flexible, Motor, Contacts, Friction, Gravity, suppress Mates and Calculate.

Add Linear Velocity Results and Plots to determine the velocity of the car.

Make adjustments and try to go faster – without the car falling off the track. Great way to apply STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) subjects in one project. Marie

SolidWorks Spline Basics

2013-03-18T14:32:00-04:00

This video looks at the basics of splines. The different methods for creating splines as well as the manipulation of these splines are demonstrated within this video. The intent of this video is to provide newer users of SolidWorks with a base to get them started on using the different kinds of splines. I hope you find this helpful.

Ian Jutras

The Basics on SolidWorks Sketch Lines

2013-03-11T14:30:00-04:00

Check out this video focusing on sketch lines which is the basic element found in all models. The different types of lines found within SolidWorks are discussed as well as some sketching tips. Options that are found in the property manager for sketch lines are also covered such as creating lines of infinite length.

I hope that that this will help with your own sketches.

Ian Jutras

Extreme Sports! Extreme SolidWorks!

2013-03-06T11:31:00-05:00

The DTV Shredder manufactured by BPG Werks lets you ride to the extreme on their all-terrain skateboard. Visit our Born to Design website to see how SolidWorks is helping this team take an idea to reality.

I first met owner 23-year-old Ben Gulak during his first year as a student at MIT. His BPG Uno was named one of Popular Science's Inventions of the Year in 2008.

The BPG team constantly push the limits of mechanical design and engineering.

Thanks guys for letting me try the Shredder out at our SolidWorks Press Event. Extreme Engineering! Marie

Creating a New Folder Location in the Design Library

2013-03-04T14:30:00-05:00

In this video, a new folder location is created in the design library is created to allow easy assembly of models. In this case molecules will be created using elements from this newly created design folder. Creating a design library folder allows a user to easily bring in commonly used parts or assemblies into a model. I hope that this will help you to create your own design library folders. Also shown is how to use pack and go to make sure all of your part are in one location. This is important if a model is going to be shared and you want to be sure that all the parts are grouped together. Feel free to download the elements below and create your own molecules!

Ian Jutras

Download Molecules

IIT Kharagpur Students Fill SolidWorks Workshop with Energy and Skill

2013-02-28T15:30:57-05:00

As SolidWorks expands across India, more and more students are learning SolidWorks skills thanks to educators that open their classrooms.

150 engineering students from IIT Kharagpur participated in a SolidWorks Workshop. Students demonstrated energy, enthusiasm, and skill in this interactive event.

My colleague, Gurpreet Singh, Territory Technical Manager for SolidWorks, instructed students on how to create parts, assemblies, drawings, and to simulate models in real world conditions.

The students tested what they learned in a timed Model Mania skills competition. Winners received a copy of the SolidWorks Student Edition.

I was happy to see young women engineering students learning SolidWorks too.

All the students were given a Certified SolidWorks Certification Exam voucher. With more practice, the students will be able to take the CSWA exam and obtain the credential to help get the best jobs. Customers like DEMECH Esscano Power and Essae-Teraoka demand highly skilled engineers that have SolidWorks skills.

Pictures of this workshop are on Team Mekanika, IIT Kharagpur Facebook page,

Thank you SolidWorks Team India for giving so many engineering students a great opportunity for their future. Marie

Build a Great Pyramid with Teachers at Dassault Systemes

2013-02-27T08:48:35-05:00

How do you combine math, science, technology, engineering, history, art, all to meet education standards in your classroom? Biology teacher, Matthew Burns and physics teacher, Boris Gokhfeld from Waltham High School, MA, USA, created this project to share with you.

The Great Pyramid Challenge is a three or four class unit on the engineering design process that helps students achieve national goals in engineering and thinking skills. Students will learn about the engineering design process and practice the steps by building pyramids in teams using common household items.

Visit the Great Pyramid build phase with Waltham High School students through this video.

Teachers at Dassault Systemes

Boris and Matt are part of Teachers at Dassault Systemes (TADS) program. TADS combines our 3D Experience technology with innovative projects for the classroom. The Great Pyramid project was developed for students in middle school and high school.

Corporate Citizenship

The TADS program has been nominated for a Boston College Corporate Citizenship film award. If you like the project, please support these teachers by voting for Dassault Systemes here.

Downloads

You can download all the lesson plans and worksheets below. Thank you Boris and Matt for creating such a great project. Marie

Download Pyramid Project Teacher Edition (final)

Download Khufu Dollar

Download Day 1 Activity (Final)

Download Day 2 student worksheet (Final)

Download Day 2 teacher worksheet (Final)

Download Day 3 Activity (Final)

Presentation: http://prezi.com/jkrj7n5romeq/engineering-design-process/

How a P&G Spray Bottle Works and is Assembled Using SolidWorks Composer

2013-02-25T14:30:00-05:00

Check out this video that uses an animation created in SolidWorks Composer to show the basic assembly steps as well as the concepts of how a spray bottle works. Various features such as arrows and text boxes were used in order to show how liquid got sent out the nozzle. Creating instructional videos using SolidWorks Composer, allows you to easily control the position and movement of parts when explaining how an assembly goes together. I hope this video is clear in showing how a spray bottle works and is assembled.

Ian Jutras

Made in 3D Contest

2013-02-22T06:48:27-05:00

My friends at DS are running a contest. Have you ever wanted to get your product made in 3D? Check out the rules here. Deadline is March 3 - you could win a IPAD too! Marie

Snow on the Roof - Again

2013-02-21T10:56:40-05:00

Winter in New England. We brace again for another snow storm. How much pounding can a roof take? My colleague, Stephen shows how SolidWorks Simulation can be used to determine snow loads on roofs.

The article is featured on Boston.com's The Hive, and can be found here.

Keep warm and safe this weekend. Marie

Creating a Maintenance Video for a Miter Saw using SolidWorks Composer

2013-02-18T13:41:07-05:00

Check out this video showing how to create a maintenance video to replace a blade on a miter saw using SolidWorks Composer. Within this video a screwdriver will be inserted into the assembly to help visualize the removal of screws. It is also explained how to make the video interactive if played in SolidWorks Composer Player. This allows someone to follow along with each step as opposed to watching the video multiple times to follow the steps.

I hope this video will help you create your own maintenance video.

Ian Jutras

Having Fun in the Snow with SolidWorks

2013-02-13T19:01:43-05:00

Meet two German engineers who combine industrial design, engineering, and ergonomics to create thrilling products. These specialties all matter when designing equipment, including a downhill mountain bike that folds into a backpack and can be used on skis or wheels.

For educators looking for a great inspirational video for you classroom, see Auswall Product Solutions's story: http://www.solidworks.com/btd/innovations/downhill-ski-bike.htm

In Boston, we had alot of snow this weekend, my dog had fun too! Marie

Linking Data from Microsoft Excel to a SolidWorks Model

2013-02-11T14:30:00-05:00

Check out this video showing how to link Microsoft Excel spreadsheets that contain data and equations to a SolidWorks model. The two different methods of linking presented both use a design table. This is very useful if you have done a lot of calculations within Excel and want a way to use them in a model without having to manually put them in.

I hope this video has been helpful in showing how to link spreadsheets to SolidWorks.

Ian Jutras

Airbus 380 Designed and Built by Students

2013-02-07T12:00:00-05:00

Lycée René Perrin, a French vocational technical school, used SolidWorks Education Edition software to team up with schools from Germany, Hungary, and Spain to produce functional replicas of the Airbus A380 jet as part of the BAC Pro Machining Technician (TU) program.

See it fly:

Challenge:

Equip students at four European vocational technical schools to design and build four fully functional, 1:32 scale replicas of Airbus A380 jets as part of the BAC Pro Machining Technician (TU) program.

Solution:

Leverage SolidWorks Education Edition software to execute every step of the project, from initial design and modeling to testing, simulation, and manufacturing.

Results:

• Assembled and flew four mini Airbus A380 jets

• Drove teamwork across four vocational schools

• Supported two-year TU study project

• Facilitated cross-institutional collaboration

Amazing what students can do when given the opportunity.

Complete case study: http://files.solidworks.com/casestudies_eng/pdf/Lyc%C3%A9eRen%C3%A9_CaseStudy_R3.pdf

Thank you Valerie Lecolle, SolidWorks Education team, for creating this story across 4 countries. Marie

SolidWorks Tutorials: From SolidWorks Student to SolidWorks Worldwide Mentor

2013-02-06T08:34:44-05:00

Jan-Willem Zuyderduyn is a Product Designer and creator of www.LearnSolidWorks.com, a website that helps SolidWorks Users with great tutorials.

As a young student, Jan-Willem learned SolidWorks on his own and then studied Product Design and Engineering at Hogeschool Utrecht the Netherlands. Last year, he went back to his college to teach Advanced Surface Modeling with SolidWorks.

Jan-William placed third SolidWorks KitCar Design Contest Benelux in 2007 and Burton 3D Kitcar Challenge Europe in 2008 – winning not 1, but 2 Kit Cars.

To share his SolidWorks experience with the rest of the world, Jan-Willian has many free SolidWorks tutorials and Ebooks. You can download the Panton Chair tutorial and many others for free at www.learnsolidworks.com/ebooks.

Thank you Jan-William for sharing your models. Marie

Creating an Engine Assembly Manual with the Help of SolidWorks Composer

2013-02-04T14:30:00-05:00

Check out this video showing the workflow of how to create a set of assembly instructions using SolidWorks Composer. Part of an engine assembly from an SAE car will be used to show this procedure. A collection of images showing each step is created which can then be used in the development of an assembly manual. The benefit of creating a manual this way is that the actual assembly does not need to be made first because the virtual one can show all the steps. Also, if the model is ever updated, these updates are easily transferred to the images that were already created.

Ian Jutras

DS Simulia and University of Mons Host Academic Seminar

2013-02-02T16:30:00-05:00

DS Simulia (creators of Abaqus) and University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, will host an academic day on Tuesday March 26, 2013. Details and map follow. Marie

Seminar Program: Download SIMULIA Academic Event 2013

Seminar Map: Download SIMULIA Academic Event 2013 Map