The SolidWorks Blog

The Final Frontier: How Copenhagen Suborbitals Took Off with SolidWorks

It’s no mistake that a New York Times headline from last September read "Space Tourism is Here". While the human race has already reached the final frontier, the majority of people have probably never ventured into space, let alone traveled beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. With the recent upspring of private companies focused on building crafts for human space flight and new developments in technologies and composite materials, SolidWorks has been able to lend a hand towards helping companies like Copenhagen Suborbitals.

Designing an open-source manned space rocket and capsule for suborbital space flight, Copenhagen Suborbitals believes that the sky is the limit, quite literally. Eager to share his story, Kristian von Bengtson, founder of Copenhagen Suborbitals, blogs regularly for Wired magazine. Some of you SolidWorks fans may even notice that his models and simulations are pulled from our software.

Using SolidWorks Professional, SolidWorks Premium, and SolidWorks Flow Simulation, Copenhagen Suborbitals has built the capsule geometry, exported the drawings for laser cutting, and conducted FEM analysis of structures to see if they meet flight requirements. SolidWorks, combined with sketching capabilities, is one of the most important tools in the early research and development phase and the production phases of von Bengtson’s project.

Copenhagen Suborbitals has used eDrawings to share new designs and get ideas from others. To see the latest capsule design, you can download it here: Download Copenhagen Suborbitals capsule in eDrawings. Feel free to offer your own suggestions, if you would like via the eDrawings file.

Learn how USSC Group developed a breakthrough product in just four months after switching to SolidWorks

USSC Group is a leading manufacturer of world-class seating for many types of specialty vehicles, such as buses, locomotives, and fire trucks. To maintain its industry-leading engineering capabilities, USSC periodically assesses the effectiveness of its design and engineering tools. In 2009, the company evaluated the Siemens Solid Edge® software it was using against SolidWorks software, using a range of evaluation criteria.

Following that evaluation, USSC chose SolidWorks solutions because they gave the company more freedom to work with partners and customers and other integrated technologies. The seating manufacturer acquired 14 licenses of SolidWorks Professional and SolidWorks Premium design software, SolidWorks Simulation Premium analysis software, the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM product data management system, and SolidWorks Composer technical communications software.

By selecting SolidWorks solutions, USSC was able to introduce its patent-pending single-point release firefighting seat, develop a breakthrough product in just four months, improve its ability to work with partner and customer data, and realize better design communication and demonstration capabilities.

Download the complete case study to see how SolidWorks is helping USSC revolutionize firefighter safety.

Want to try out SolidWorks? You can request a free SolidWorks trial on our website.

Want to see how SolidWorks can help you win new business and get to market faster? Request a SolidWorks demo today.

How the Equipois zeroG mechanical arm “lifts” workplace stress and fatigue--with help from SolidWorks

Manufacturers such as Honda, General Electric and Boeing use heavy power tools and equipment for their design and engineering needs. However, lifting these loads can cause worker fatigue and injury while decreasing productivity. To alleviate worker payload-associated stress and reduce workplace-related injuries, Equipois, Inc. designed the zeroG human-assist mechanical arm thus establishing “equipoise” (balance) between manufacturing employee health and output. The technology’s simple yet revolutionary design earned Equipois the Wall Street Journal 2011 Technology Innovation Award.

Equipois leveraged SolidWorks design and analysis tools to develop the zeroG line of human-assist mechanical arms, which help workers maneuver payloads as if they were weightless.

The zeroG, designed in SolidWorks, saves times and eliminates manufacturer overexertion and repetitive stress by allowing workers to guide tools rather than lift them as if they were weightless. Though the technology behind the zeroG was initially used for Steadicam stabilized camera and a Skycam “flying camera”, Equipois adapted the designs to address manufacturing challenges.

After choosing SolidWorks Professional and SolidWorks Premium solutions for its user-friendly simulation and design capabilities, Equipois, Inc. doubled its revenue annually and cut costs by decreasing the number of prototypes by 66 percent.  The company was able to conduct simulations and design performance evaluations during the product design stage through SolidWorks virtual prototyping tools.

Moreover, Equipois also improved its employee onboarding process through the use of SolidWorks – it takes 70 percent less time to train an engineer on the software. SolidWorks not only helped Equipois optimize its product design process but it also helped the company improve manufacturing practices.

To get more information on the sleek zeroG mechanical arm and how Equipois designed it, read the case study.

How do I buy SolidWorks or get a trial version?

Here at SolidWorks, we work hard to make our products easy to buy, learn and use; however, two of the most common questions we receive are:

• How do I buy SolidWorks?
• How do I get a trial version of SolidWorks?

The answer to both questions is actually the same--by contacting a SolidWorks Value-Added Reseller. Unlike many companies selling software for the consumer market, SolidWorks does not sell directly, or offer trial versions for download from our website. And there's a reason for this.

Despite being easy to learn and use, SolidWorks is a sophisticated piece of software with multiple package options and add-ons, with functionality for building everything from simple sprockets to complex cars and airplanes. When you express an interest in SolidWorks, we want to make sure that you talk with someone who can discuss your business with you personally and recommend the ideal solution.

That's where your local reseller comes in, meeting with you and putting together a personalized quote to meet the needs you have today and help you be more productive in the future. The same goes for product trials. We want to ensure that you have the best possible experience when you're evaluating our products, which is why trials are only available through your local reseller. Once your reseller has discussed the right options for your business, he or she can provide you with the corresponding trial software, and will be available to answer questions during the trial period.

SolidWorks resellers are also the first line for product support, and when you buy SolidWorks, you can be sure that you have a local team available to help you out with the initial set-up process, as well as walk you through any support issues you may have in the future. They are committed to working with you and helping you be successful.

When you contact SolidWorks directly, we will pair you with the best reseller in your area to speak with.  They will contact you directly to schedule a consultation and demonstration, and when you're ready, provide a comprehensive quote. And if you like, they can provide a trial version of SolidWorks and any of our other software solutions.

Want to try out SolidWorks? You can request a free SolidWorks trial on our website.

Want to see how SolidWorks can help you win new business and get to market faster? Request a  SolidWorks demo today.

Safe Offshore Equipment with Leenaars Marine and Offshore Design BV

Construction of offshore platforms can often be costly and dangerous considering weather conditions and the possibility of drops into the cold ocean. For reliable and innovative vessels and equipment designs, the industry turns to Leenaars Marine & Offshore Design BV. With over 30 years of experience in the maritime industry, Leenaars BV has worked with international partners on notable research projects. To reach its design goals, the firm enlisted the help of SolidWorks.

Leenaars Marine & Offshore Design relies on SolidWorks Premium integrated analysis tools to optimize the structural performance of its designs.

Using SolidWorks Premium, Leenaars BV conducted in-depth analysis with SolidWorks Simulation. Switching to SolidWorks from an independent contractor allowed the company to shorten the design time by up to 50 percent and doubled the productivity of the engineers by opting for in-house design analysis. The product development time was optimized as a result of shorter communication cycles and the ability to test a large number of variations with the software.  Leenaars BV reduced building costs by $450,000 and 10 lost ship days by reducing the amount of steel in the LNG module making it up to 20 percent lighter. By using SolidWorks, the firm not only improved its design process but also improved its use of design models for simulation and presentations.

As a result, Leenaars BV maintains its industry leadership status with the help of SolidWorks. To learn more about how SolidWorks optimizes the firm’s offshore equipment and vessel design and production process, check out the case study.

What’s the Difference Between SolidWorks Standard, Professional and Premium?

One of the most common questions from our users is “What is the difference between the three SolidWorks packages (Standard, Professional, Premium)?” This is often followed by "When does it make sense to upgrade from Standard to Professional or Premium?" The answer really depends on many factors, and we have a complex matrix to outline every feature in each package, but the matrix is…well…complicated, so I wanted to share a brief description of the three packages, as well as two easy ways to figure out which is best for you. 

SolidWorks 2013 has arrived

Every fall, a new version of SolidWorks is unveiled. We’re always really excited about all of the new functionality that goes into every release, and you’ve probably heard that over 90% of enhancements are driven by customer requests. That’s true for 2013 as well, but this year might be a little more exciting than usual.

SolidWorks 2013 includes some really cool new capabilities that customers have been requesting for a while. For example, there are some new geometry tools that will help you create models faster and easier. These include:

• Conic Sketch – This gives you full control over shapes for smooth transitions between existing geometries.
• Intersect Feature – You can quickly add or remove geometry without sketching.
• Varying Dimension Patterns – Helps you save time creating patterns, increases design flexibility, and reduces the number of features needed for models. 
• Section View Assist – Speeds the creation of production drawings for faster and more consistent section views.

There are also some new tools to help you optimize the performance of a SolidWorks installation and maximize design team productivity. These include:

• CAD Administrator Dashboard – This helps simplify management and troubleshooting of multiple SolidWorks users within a company from a single aggregated view.
• Simulation Sub-Modeling and Incremental Meshing – You can more accurately perform precise simulation analysis for specific areas of large and complex models, and do it faster and more efficiently.
• Network Rendering for PhotoView 360 – This helps you save time with faster rendering of photorealistic images by networking multiple computers to share the computational load.

There are also some new tools that help you work and collaborate with other people on your design team, vendors, and other supply chain partners. These include updates for improved connectivity, enhanced viewing capabilities, and expanded sharing of designs and data, such as:

• Previous Release Interoperability – Starting with SolidWorks 2013, you can collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams with the ability to open SolidWorks files directly with SolidWorks 2012 (SP5). Users can work more efficiently and improve collaboration and file exchange, reducing delays and easing the transition to the latest release.
• SolidWorks Enterprise Product Data Management Workflow – Route documents and contact users more efficiently to reduce delays and accelerate time-to-market.
• DraftSight/SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Integration – Access DWG files within SolidWorks EPM from the DraftSight user interface, and leverage 2D into the design process.
• eDrawings — You can measure, select and markup  designs from anywhere using a mobile device

You can learn more about SolidWorks 2013 on our website (no registration required), so go check it out. And if you’re interested in attending a live seminar on SolidWorks 2013, visit: http://www.solidworks.com/launch/find-a-seminar.htm

Walk A Mile in Your Shoes with Wolverine Worldwide, Inc.

From experience, I know that the perfect shoe can be hard to find, especially when you are looking for anything ranging from casual shoes to hiking boots and occupational footwear. To be able to walk a mile in your shoes, you have to rely on a comfortable pair. With Wolverine Worldwide, Inc.’s breadth of footwear brands such as Hush Puppies®, Merrell®, Sebago® and Wolverine®, there is no shortage of options for your feet. Using SolidWorks solutions, Wolverine designs their footwear, such as their steel-toed boots, to maximize durability and protect against impacts.

After using SolidWorks for over a decade, Wolverine has expanded its product line threefold and cut development costs by 50 percent. SolidWorks Premium has given Wolverine Worldwide access to tools such as RealView, PhotoView 360, eDrawings, and Simulation to advance footwear innovation through Wolverine iCS (Individual Comfort System). Wolverine iCS enhances your walking experience by allowing you to customize your shoe’s support and comfort level with an adjustment wheel in the sole. Best of all, Wolverine offers the iCS technology in footwear ranging from casual walking shoes to off-road hiking boots.

To reduce material usage in its products by 50 percent, Wolverine uses SolidWorks Simulation tools in order to maintain the strength and performance of the shoe.  As a result of the partnership with SolidWorks, Wolverine has not only accelerated and expanded product development, but it has also grown into a trusted global enterprise.

So, the next time you’re at the mall in search of a shoe to fit your needs, check out one of Wolverine Worldwide brands, they’re engineered for comfort. To learn more about the science behind Wolverine Worldwide footwear, check out the case study. 

BigBelly Solar Helps Make Waste Management Eco-Friendly

Being a recent Brandeis University graduate and long-time Massachusetts resident, I have seen my fair share of BigBelly Solar waste compactors. They’re all over Boston and the Brandeis campus. Throughout my college years, I always wondered what differentiated this barrel from all the others and why it occasionally grumbled. After digging a little deeper, I discovered that the world’s first solar-powered waste compactor is not only cost-effective and sustainable, but it is also designed using SolidWork solutions.

BigBelly Solar waste compactors lower fuel costs and carbon emissions from garbage truck trips by holding five times more litter than non-compacting barrels and requiring less waste collection trips. SolidWorks software facilitated BigBelly Solar’s eco-friendly initiative. With the help of SolidWorks Simulation Xpress and sheet-metal design, BigBelly Solar cut material costs by using 30 percent fewer steel parts. Many busy venues, such as movie theaters, universities, public parks, and shopping districts, also use the BigBelly Solar to keep unwanted pests out of the area.

From the conception to product production, SolidWorks has provided BigBelly Solar with low cost sustainable solutions. Using SolidWorks software, BigBelly Solar streamlined communications using a standardized platform that cut development time and gave the company more control of the product quality and design. Sales for the BigBelly waste compactor skyrocketed, increasing by 300 percent, after redesign in SolidWorks.

You can read more about how SolidWorks cleans up our planet with BigBelly Solar in a case study. So next time you hear a grumbling coming from a BigBelly waste compactor, have no fear, it’s just doing its job making our planet a better place.

Download the case study from our website today.

Grow your business with the SolidWorks family of products

There's a lot that goes into running a successful business. You need a great product or service, a profitable business model, and good employees. But sometimes that's not enough, and you have to find ways to reduce costs while improving product quality.

If your business includes product design, the full suite of SolidWorks products can help. SolidWorks 3D CAD lets you take the ideas in your head and make them real. SolidWorks Simulation can help you save money on materials by optimizing your designs, and also lower prototyping costs. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM helps prevent the loss of design data and keeps everything organized for future reuse. And 3DVIA Composer can help you make training materials, documentation and marketing images directly from your CAD files.

Want to learn more about how SolidWorks products can help you grow your business. Check out the video on our website to see how SolidWorks can help.