SOLIDWORKS
See how parts sticks together to one another
This can be done by selecting two elements in the consolidation and chose "Properties Tab"The Mates that are together are marked in bold. Another way to understand the relationships is to point on a detail and then the View
... ContinuedTips on free software for 2D CAD
Did you know that there is free to download a program for 2D CAD, developed by Dassault Systemes? The product is called DraftSight and can be downloaded here !
... ContinuedSolidWorks Simulation Helps Explain Race Car Drafting
Have you ever wondered why race cars tend to follow one another so closely? If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with the basic principles behind drafting, and how following a car closely helps reduce drag on your own car.
... ContinuedEvolution of an inventor
While drafting today’s press release, we spent time speaking with X-Finger inventor Dan Didrick and learned more about how he got his start helping people. Believe it or not, it was trying to scare the pants off of people. As a child, he loved using materials from his father’s dentist office to make movie-quality monster masks. By seventh grade, the budding special effects artist was selling his instructional video on mask-making through creepy Fangoria magazine.
Marie Planchard reflects on her teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week
It is teacher appreciation week and a time to reflect on the teachers that have made a difference in so many lives – including my own. First I have to thank my 7th grade math teacher, Sister Mary, who was the best math teacher I ever had. Sister Mary was all about strengthening basic math skills in everything you do. I used to talk in class, instead of the usual “I will not talk in class” 500 times. Sister Mary had you take a 4 digit number and multiple it by itself and then subtract that number until you got down to zero. Funny as your basic math gets stronger so does the algebra – but Sister Mary knew that.
... ContinuedBaker Drivetrain uses SolidWorks to accelerate design times by up to 75%
You might remember that back in 2009 we launched a section on our website dedicated to Baker Drivetrain, a new customer at the time. These guys work on some really cool parts for motorcycles–in fact, they developed the world's first
... ContinuedAtomik Cars: electrifying the Fiat 500 with SolidWorks
It’s been a busy few months for me, but between taking on a new job, SolidWorks World 2011 and traveling between the US and France, I’ve still managed to visit a few great SolidWorks customers. There’s one in particular that
... ContinuedWatchmaker Franck Muller Uses SolidWorks to Update a Centuries-old Craft
The Swiss watchmaker, Franck Muller, has established its reputation as a “watchmaking genius” by creating some of the world’s most complicated and sought-after timepieces. The company continues to elevate the state-of-the-art in watchmaking by designing each new model with increasing
... ContinuedHowe & Howe use SolidWorks to shorten fabrication time by 1000%
Michael Howe, star of the Discovery Channel’s “Black Ops Brothers, Howe & Howe Tech,” and President of Howe and Howe Technologies, Inc., recently took time out from his busy schedule to discuss how SolidWorks software is helping him, his twin
... ContinuedCane Creek Chooses SolidWorks to Optimize Design
If you’re a dedicated cyclist, you’re familiar with Cane Creek Cycling Components, famous for its headsets. If you are not, like me, you have no idea where to find the headset on your bike. So I did some research. According to Wikipedia, it’s the “set of components on a bicycle that provides a rotatable interface between the bicycle fork and the bicycle frame.” Sounds like a crucial part.
... ContinuedSolidWorks Simulation Helps Keep Your Beer Cold
So it's a nice afternoon, and you've decided to go out and throw some steaks on the grill. Maybe some vegetables too (I like asparagus). And naturally, you're going to have a beer or three while you're cooking. But where
... ContinuedEven the CEO has to study for the CSWP test
One evening at SolidWorks World 2011 I was having a conversation with Matt Lorono, who manages the SolidWorks Legion blog. During our talk, Matt brought up the topic of certification, and asked if I had already earned my Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) certification. I had to admit that I hadn’t, but promised Matt that I would have it by SolidWorks World 2012.
Early last month, I started working toward meeting that goal, and thought that some of you might be interested in following me through the process. So over the next few months, I plan to post occasional updates letting everyone know how things are going. First, some background.
Let’s Go Design Project #2 is finished! Check out the multi-sport practice cage.
After months of research and design, Jeremy Luchini and the Let's Go Design team are ready to unveil the final design and prototype of the multi-sport practice cage. Rather than building a full-size prototype, the team decided to use the
... ContinuedNew SolidWorks case study: ElliptiGO elliptical bikes
Ironman triathlete Brent Teal recently took a break from training to do a SolidWorks case study on how he developed the ElliptiGO, the world’s first elliptical bike. ElliptiGO Inc. was founded to create a low-impact alternative for distance runners. By
... ContinuedCelebrating the Patron Saint of…Engineering?
In my short tenure at SolidWorks I have learned that more things are connected to engineering than I ever thought possible. Take St. Patrick’s Day. I could tell you about all the beer mugs or beer taps or Irish products designed with SolidWorks, but that would be expected. But, did you know that the patron saint of Ireland is also considered the patron saint of engineering?
It’s at the bottom of the Wikipedia listing, hidden among the ways in which different cities celebrate. An engineering college in Rolla, Missouri has been celebrating St. Patrick, the legendary snake chaser, for the past week – in fact, the past century. After a little digging, I found out that the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is one of our customers, and gave them a call.
... Continued