[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":108},["ShallowReactive",2],{"BaM6OFZbgFFYKoZ5nrQeORIxBoZAFuKTc0FMBK13cVk":3,"article_taking-first-tech-challenge-mechanical-meltdown-to-the-next-level_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":106,"_apollo:identified":107},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","taking-first-tech-challenge-mechanical-meltdown-to-the-next-level","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":105},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":30,"content":31,"date":32,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":33,"masterings":46,"globalTags":50,"products":59,"disciplines":73,"seo":94,"__typename":104},"cG9zdDo0ODQ4OQ==","Taking FIRST Tech Challenge Mechanical Meltdown to the Next Level","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Ftaking-first-tech-challenge-mechanical-meltdown-to-the-next-level","\u003Cp>FIRST Tech Challenge is a Robotics Competition for middle school and high…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":29},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":25,"thumbnail":26,"srcSet":27,"sizes":28},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-solidworks-edu-blog.png.webp","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-solidworks-edu-blog-768x587.png.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-solidworks-edu-blog-150x150.png.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-solidworks-edu-blog.png.webp 822w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-solidworks-edu-blog-300x229.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-solidworks-edu-blog-768x587.png.webp 768w","(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.firstinspires.org\u002Frobotics\u002Fftc\">FIRST Tech Challenge\u003C\u002Fa> is a Robotics Competition for middle school and high school students that goes far beyond building robots.  Students design, assemble, program and operate robots in an alliance format challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Adult mentors teach engineering principles, project management skills and teamwork that they take from their own experiences.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fken-mansfield-seneca-dairy-solidworks-edu-blog.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48491\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fken-mansfield-seneca-dairy-solidworks-edu-blog.jpg.webp 320w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fken-mansfield-seneca-dairy-solidworks-edu-blog-300x300.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fken-mansfield-seneca-dairy-solidworks-edu-blog-150x150.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>I was fortunate to meet Ken Mansfield from\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsenecadairysystems.us\u002F\"> Seneca Dairy Systems\u003C\u002Fa> during a company meeting. Ken uses SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform apps designing temperature control systems, gates, stall systems and lock-ups to keep cows happy in the dairy barn.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ken is also a mentor for the FIRST Tech Challenge team, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FFTC12833\u002F\">Mechanical Meltdown\u003C\u002Fa>, Watkins Glen, NY,  and will be presenting at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.\u003Cstrong>3D\u003C\u002Fstrong>EXPERIENCE World.com\u002Fwebsite\u002F59830\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>3D\u003C\u002Fstrong>EXPERIENCE World\u003C\u002Fa> in Dallas, TX, February 11-14, 2024.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"487\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-3-solidworks-edu-blog-615x487-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48492\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-3-solidworks-edu-blog-615x487-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-3-solidworks-edu-blog-615x487-1-300x238.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>I got to interview Ken about his upcoming presentation that combines the project concepts of FIRST and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform by Dassault Systemes with his FTC team 12833 Mechanical Meltdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"346\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-4-solidworks-edu-blog-615x346-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48493\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-4-solidworks-edu-blog-615x346-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-4-solidworks-edu-blog-615x346-1-300x169.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Ken shows how SOLIDWORKS product design software can be enhanced with cloud-apps to document brainstorming with the White Board app and See What You Mean (SWYM) Communities.  There is also SOLIDWORKS xDesign app  that is 100% cloud CAD.  Ken also teaches how CAD files can be stored locally or in cloud storage. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-5-solidworks-edu-blog-615x340-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48494\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-5-solidworks-edu-blog-615x340-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-5-solidworks-edu-blog-615x340-1-300x166.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>I was thrilled to see Mechanical Meltdown’s use of our Project Management apps.  With any FIRST robotics challenge, FRC, FTC, FLL, there is never enough time or resources.  With Project Management, students are assigned tasks and deadlines – so everyone knows when steps are complete or critical issues exists.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"571\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-2-solidworks-edu-blog-615x571-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48495\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-2-solidworks-edu-blog-615x571-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fftc-team-12833-mechanical-meltdown-2-solidworks-edu-blog-615x571-1-300x279.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Ken also introduced Dashboards to his team. Thanks to our 3DEXPERIENCE Edu team and the Student Community, there is also a FIRST Dashboard that contains components from Andy Mark, Rev Robotics and other hardware manufactures.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F2-solidworks-and-xdesign-kit-of-parts-1-615x300-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48496\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F2-solidworks-and-xdesign-kit-of-parts-1-615x300-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F2-solidworks-and-xdesign-kit-of-parts-1-615x300-1-300x146.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Ken created a Dashboard for his team to use Tabs.  Tabs allow his students to quickly go between the apps he wants to share with the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Thank you Ken for mentoring \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FFTC12833\u002F\">Mechanical Meltdown\u003C\u002Fa> and Sharing with the SOLIDWORKS Community.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We look forward to hearing from you at \u003Cstrong>3D\u003C\u002Fstrong>EXPERIENCE World.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Mentors, you can get free SOLIDWORKS software for your FIRST team at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fstudents\u002Ffirst-robotics-students\">www.solidworks.com\u002FFIRST\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Anyone can join the 3DEXPERIENCE Student Community for free at go.3ds.com\u002Fstudentcommunity, Login required.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Design well, Marie\u003C\u002Fp>","2024-01-28T12:08:39",{"node":34,"__typename":45},{"nicename":35,"description":36,"slug":37,"name":38,"firstName":39,"lastName":40,"avatar":41,"__typename":44},"marie-planchard","Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of  Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach across all levels of learning.","marie planchard","Marie Planchard","Marie","Planchard",{"url":42,"__typename":43},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F10\u002Fnyzykisa-jpeg-96x96.webp","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":47,"edges":48,"__typename":49},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":51,"__typename":58},[52],{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55,"uri":56,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjAx","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-cad\u002F","Taxonomy_tag","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":60,"nodes":70,"__typename":72},[61],{"isPrimary":62,"node":63,"__typename":69},false,{"id":64,"name":65,"slug":66,"uri":67,"__typename":68},"dGVybTo1Ng==","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[71],{"id":64,"name":65,"slug":66,"uri":67,"__typename":68},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":74,"edges":89,"__typename":93},[75],{"id":76,"name":77,"slug":78,"uri":79,"parentId":80,"disciplines":81,"__typename":88},"dGVybTo2OQ==","Students","students","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fstudents\u002F","dGVybTo2Ng==",{"nodes":82,"__typename":87},[83],{"title":77,"uri":84,"parentId":85,"__typename":86},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Feducation\u002Fstudents","cG9zdDozNzgx","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",[90],{"isPrimary":62,"node":91,"__typename":92},{"parentId":80,"id":76,"name":77,"slug":78,"uri":79,"__typename":88},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge","PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":95,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":96,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":97,"opengraphSiteName":98,"opengraphPublishedTime":99,"opengraphModifiedTime":100,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":101,"metaRobotsNoindex":102,"__typename":103},"Taking FIRST Tech Challenge Mechanical Meltdown to the Next Level - Blog Solidworks","FIRST Tech Challenge is a Robotics Competition for middle school and high…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Ftaking-first-tech-challenge-mechanical-meltdown-to-the-next-level\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2024-01-28T17:08:39+00:00","2026-02-13T08:55:05+00:00",2,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1777335236837]