SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog: Making of the Design Ring Arena at EgyptSWUG
The EgyptSWUG launch event in Port Said was a show-stopping centerpiece:
The Design Ring Challenge Arena — a fully hand-built wrestling-style CAD battle zone that stole the spotlight both technically and visually.
What many didn’t see was the story behind its creation; this was not a pre-made stage or a rented structure; it was a hands-on, from-scratch manufacturing project, imagined and built by engineering students from Port Said with SolidWorks principles in mind.
From Concept to Cut: The Build Process
The arena began as a raw wooden plate — untreated, uncut, and flat. The PSU Racing Team engineered and fabricated the ring through a multi-phase workflow:
1. Sketching & CAD Modeling
Using SolidWorks, the structure was designed with proper proportions for safety, spacing, and aesthetic. Features like elevation, cable height, and team zones were all considered.
2. Material Cutting & Frame Assembly
With local tools and support from partners, the wood was precisely cut, sanded, and formed into the ring’s base. Frames were assembled manually using basic tools—no automation, just skill and teamwork.
3. Reinforcement & Safety Testing
Supports and corners were added to ensure structural strength., something expected from the The ring had to accommodate intense movement from competitors during the live CAD duels.
4. Painting & Branding The final stage was a high-energy collaboration:
- Bold red, black, and silver paints applied by hand
- Sponsor & event logos painted with stencils and attention to detail
- Decorative edges and matte finish for on-camera appeal
The build took over 35 cumulative hours across multiple evenings leading up to the event. Every nail, brushstroke, and weld came from student hands.
The Arena in Action: Competition Day
Once installed inside the Creative Innovation Hub, the Design Ring became the center of attention:
- CAD Design Battles took place in front of a live audience
- Teams entered and exited the ring under real-time pressure
- The audience cheered as participants switched roles mid-session
- Red Bull’s “On the Fly” Challenge added a second layer of speed and creativity
The ring wasn’t just a visual piece — it became a physical representation of engineering under pressure, where communication, speed, and flexibility mattered most.
One of the participants said, “I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s like an F1 pit stop — but for CAD!”
What It Represented
The Design Ring wasn’t just a battle zone. It stood for something bigger:
From plywood to painted perfection, the ring was a proof-of-concept that design isn’t just digital — it’s a physical, emotional, and community experience.
This blog was written by the PSU Racing Team | Port Said EgyptSWUG
To read more about EgyptSWUG and the SOLIDWORKS User Group Network click here
