Learn . Create . Succeed

SolidWorks Deform Feature – Surface Push Deform

 

This is the last part in a three part series focusing on the SolidWorks deform feature.  In this part the surface push deform type will be shown.  This feature takes a target body and deforms it using a tool body.  This tool body can either be one of the pre-defined shapes or else a user created body.  The position and orientation of this tool body can be adjusted using the feature so it is not necessary to have the tool body intersect the target body.  I hope you found this video helpful and will trying using this feature in your next model.

Ian Jutras

Chris Dosen, Cherokee Trial HS, achieves Certified SolidWorks Expert (CSWE) with a Perfect Score!

The highest certification a SolidWorks customer can obtain is Certified SolidWorks Expert (CSWE).  The latest CSWE is Christopher Dosen and he did it with a perfect score.  

 

 

There are 1300 CSWE’s in the world.  There are 29 CSWE’s in Colorado.   The SolidWorks Certification Center keeps track of certified users for CSWA, CSWP and CSWE.

 

Chris is a graduating high school senior from Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, Colorado, USA.  While his classmates were thinking about AP exams, SAT’s and ACT’s (the standardized exams to get into college), Chris had an additional plan.  He set his goal to be the first high school student in the world to achieve CSWE.

With the help Ben Nuebel,  pre-engineering and technology education teacher, at Cherokee Trail HS, Chris began to rigorously  prepare for this exam reserved for advanced professional engineers and designers. 

Cherokee Trail is a CSWA Provider.  Chris took and passed both the Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA ) and Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) exams.  On his own, Chris took and passed the three specialty prerequisite exams and just last month passed CSWE with a perfect score.

But there is more.   Chris also joined the Technology Student Association (TSA) and began to learn not only about design but also about manufacturing.  Later this month, Chris will represent Colorado in the national TSA finals.

Chris will be going to California Institute of Technology (CalTech) in the fall.  On behalf of the SolidWorks community, we congratulation Chris on achieving CSWE and look forward in seeing great designs with SolidWorks at Cal Tech.  Marie

Titan Arm Wins Cornell Cup Form Embedded Systems Innovation

 
In Greek mythology, the Titans displayed incredible strength and stamina.  This year’s Cornell Cup 1^st place winner is the University of Pennsylvania for their untethered, powered Exoskeleton, called the Titan Arm. 

The Titan Arm is designed for rehabilitation, therapeutic applications and occupations requiring augmented strength.  Team Titan is made up of 4 senior engineers, Elizabeth Beattie, Nick McGIll, Nick Parrotta, and Niko Vladimirov.

“We used SolidWorks not only for its plethora of design and assembly tools, but also for its FEA toolkit, something that helped us verify and modify our designs as needed”   Team Titan.

The Cornell Cup is sponsored by Cornell University and  Intel and this year took place in Orlando Florida, USA. 

SolidWorks is proud to provide design and analysis software for Cornell Cup teams such as  Team Titan and the WPI engineers who took second place with their Cyber Physical Systems.  Marie

 

SolidWorks Deform Feature - Curve to Curve Deform

 

This is the second part in a three part series focusing on the SolidWorks deform feature.  In this part the curve to curve deform type will be shown.  This feature use an initial curve and then deforms it a specified target curve.  This curve can either be a sketch entity or else an existing edge or curve.  Multiple curve sets can be selected in order to deform the model in multiple directions.  I hope you found the video informative.

Ian Jutras

First Woman in Guatemala to Achieve CSWA Certification

Posadas Maria Mercedes Gomez is a new type of leader in Guatemala.  Mercedes is a mechatronics student at the Universidad Galileo. She is the first woman in Guatemala to take and pass the Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) exam and achieve CSWA certification.  

 

According to Angelica Estrada Hernández,  Galileo’s marketing communication manager, in Guatemala, the number of young women who enroll in engineering is very low.

Universidad Galileo becomes the first university in Guatemala to become a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) Provider.  Mechatronics is a great field for young women like Mercedes to explore new technology and harness their own creative energy.

SolidWorks software doesn’t change its functions in the hands of a man or a woman.  In some countries such as France, the Netherlands, Japan, and the US, students start learning SolidWorks at age 10.  The students are boys and girls.  In these classrooms, everyone can learn SolidWorks, all students can design.

 Qualified schools can apply to become a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) CSWA Provider at www.solidworks.com/cswa .  Marie

SolidWorks Deform Feature – Point Deform

 

This is the first part of a three part series focusing on the SolidWorks deform feature.  In this part the point deform type will be shown.  This feature uses a point or vertex as a location to deform single surfaces or bodies.  The radius of the deform region can be changed in order to effect a larger area.  The next two videos in this series focus on the curve to curve and the surface push deform types.  I hope you find this video helpful and try using this feature in your next model.

Ian Jutras

SolidWorks Japan Drives FSAE Students to Become Great Engineers

How do you go from engineering student to a great design and manufacturing engineer?  You start with dedication in your heart and training from SolidWorks Customer, Mr. Yuuichi Minamiyama, GAC Corporation, a global leader in advanced automotive systems.

 “Become a Great Engineer “   was the theme at last week’s SolidWorks Japan FSAE seminar.

 

Nihon University, Tokyo hosted 130 students for SolidWorks training.  Some teams came from afar like Tohoku University (260 miles) and Toyohashi University of Technology (180 miles). 

 

Students came from 15 FSAE teams:

l  Chiba University

l  Keio University

l  Kogakuin University

l  Kokushikan University

l  Nihon University

l  Nippon Institute of Technology

l  Shonan Institute of Technology

l  Tohoku University

l  Tokai University

l  Tokyo City University

l  Tokyo University of Science

l  Toyohashi University of Technology

l  Waseda University

l  Yokohama National University

84% of the students were freshman and sophomores with little experience.  But these students, with strong motivation, continued to push the instructor for more SolidWorks examples in part modeling, top-down and bottom up assembly modeling, design optimization, and professional presentation.

 

SolidWorks Japan application engineers helped out as teaching assistants, TAs, bringing their industry experience directly into the large classroom.

When my friend, Junko and I get together, we always talk about FSAE students and what we can do to help them be more successful to start their engineering careers.   A great first step is to take a SolidWorks FSAE seminar.    For those students who cannot attend SolidWorks Japan training, we have FSAE tutorials through team sponsorship at www.solidworks.com/sae

 

It takes alot of engineering and dedication to design and manufacture competitive cars like this one from Yokohama National University.    Yokohama students also help young campers learn about engineering during SolidWorks Japan  Kids Camp.

In December, SolidWorks Japan will host training classes in Tokyo for SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation.  SolidWorks Japan will also return to Osaka to host advanced training class for more FSAE teams.    FSAE Team Faculty advisors can contact SolidWorks Japan office for more information.  Marie

SolidWorks Indent Feature

 

This video covers the SolidWorks Indent Feature.  The use of this feature as well as the options that are available with this feature are shown.  This feature is useful when creating packaging for products as well as when creating stamped products or molds.  I hope you find this video helpful and try using this feature in your next model.

Ian Jutras

Successful SolidWorks Modeling As Seconds Tick Away At Jakarta Expo

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

 

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

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

 
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

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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!

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

 

   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

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

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

    

 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

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