{"id":18129,"date":"2024-05-25T18:36:28","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T22:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/teacher\/?p=18129"},"modified":"2024-05-25T19:57:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-25T23:57:09","slug":"diy-on-memorial-day-weekend-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/teacher\/2024\/05\/diy-on-memorial-day-weekend-2024.html","title":{"rendered":"DIY on Memorial Day Weekend 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

For over 12 years, SOLIDWORKS Edu team has provided the\u00a0SOLIDWORKS Military Veterans Program<\/a>\u00a0(MVP) to US and Canadian Veterans.\u00a0 We also support Veterans in our\u00a0Start-up program<\/a>\u00a0and manufacturing training organizations like\u00a0Workshop for Warriors<\/a>.\u00a0 MySolidWorks provides free online training to Veterans.\u00a0 MakebyMe is a free DIY software application for wood working.\u00a0 The SOLIDWORKS User Group Community and SOLIDWORKS Forum are great places for Veterans to learn more about SOLIDWORKS programs.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you just need to enhance a design for yourself – the 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers<\/a> is available for anyone for $48 a year. Anyone can join the Makers Community<\/a> for free.<\/p>\n

This Memorial Day, I find myself honoring the memory of my father and father-in-law, that were veterans. Unfortunately, I fell and fractured my knee, wearing a complete knee immobilizer that is secured through a series of straps from the top of my thigh to just above the ankle – for about 12 more weeks, day, night and even sleeping.<\/p>\n

Throughout the years, I have seen Veterans design simple DIY devices to help themselves through injury.\u00a0 Although I could never understand their pain and their sacrifice, I do know the individual copy of SOLIDWORKS helps many. I also know being forced to remain stationary for weeks makes you think, “How can this device be better?”<\/p>\n

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As I tried to walk straight – legged today, the weight of the knee immobilizer began to fall, causing pressure on the knee.\u00a0 Time to debug the problem.\u00a0 Step1. Tighten the straps.\u00a0 Overtime and movement, the straps would loosen, again the brace would fall.\u00a0 Step 2. Support from the waist. I used a tool belt and added straps from the top support to my belt\u00a0 – but there was too much movement.<\/p>\n

Revision 1.\u00a0 Get a piece of foam from some packing material and painters tape (so I could remove it quickly)\u00a0 and create a support cuff under the brace.\u00a0 This worked with some success but with a hot sunny day and slight cuff moment, the skin got red.\u00a0 Revision 2.\u00a0 Tomorrow, I will try a gauze lining and some other cotton material to create a new cuff.<\/p>\n

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Without the ability to sit for long periods of time, it’s difficult to use my big PC with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD.\u00a0 I decided to use SOLIDWORKS xDesign on a Tablet to create some sketches that I can use to create patterns for materials to cut out. SOLIDWORKS xDesign is 100% browser based and can be used on Macs, Chromebooks and even older Windows PCs.<\/p>\n

I have great “maker” role models with my colleagues to inspire me, R&D engineer and part time fashion designer, Rachael Naoum,\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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and engineers, designers and makers,\u00a0 Sal Lama<\/a> and Chin Loo Lama<\/a> in “Our Next Make.”\u00a0 Sal and Chin Loo take you through amazing DIY projects.<\/p>\n

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