DASI Solutions becomes exclusive reseller of The CAD Academy in Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan, February 9, 2010 – The CAD Academy has announced, effective immediately, DASI Solutions will be the sole representative of The CAD Academy line of products in Michigan.
This vote of confidence is a strategic validation of the fifteen years DASI Solutions has been serving the education community by supplying SolidWorks and cutting-edge Objet 3D printers to K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities throughout the region. DASI Solutions will continue to separately represent SolidWorks to educational institutions in the region and provide sales, training and technical support.
The CAD Academy provides, in addition to an engineering/architectural technology (CAD) and the Design for Engineering Academy technology (CAM), The STEM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) bundle that adds equipment to an extensive technology and curriculum bundle. The CAD Academy also offers an exclusive classroom plotter, the Canon CS, a large format network ready printing solution. The printer is offered in two sizes, a 24” and 26” solution for everyone’s printing needs.
Gary Lowell, Education Manager at DASI Solutions comments, “I am looking forward to introducing this next great delivery mechanism for STEM education programs to educators across the state. To help do that, Russ Mickelson of The CAD Academy will be in Michigan to visit with the Michigan Department of Education during National Engineers Week to present The STEM Academy to Michigan education officials.”
Lowell continued, “Our support of the educational community includes being a catalyst for the world’s first SolidWorks Teacher User Group. The second meeting will be on Thursday, February 18, 2010 from 4:30PM to 7:00PM at Caledonia High School, 9050 Kraft Ave, Caledonia, MI 49316.”
The CAD Academy addresses the need for better engaged technical students by helping middle and high school students in North America explore technology-oriented career paths through real-world projects that deepen their understanding of science, engineering, architecture, and mathematics.
Inside The CAD Academy there is a wealth of instructional resources to help introduce students to engineering and architectural design/drafting principles and industry leading software tools that they will need for further education or industry success. The course of studies allows students to explore career paths through real-world projects, while establishing a solid foundation of STEM. These resources are industry and classroom tested with instructional materials including practical problems, lesson plans, PowerPoint’s, review questions, supplemental e-resources, multimedia content and real world project based tutorials.
The CAD Academy program brings together some of the foremost drawing and design authors to teach a foundation of engineering and architecture concepts that integrate basic math and science principles. Instructors are encouraged to integrate The CAD Academy resources into their existing curriculum which they have been successfully teaching over time.
About DASI Solutions:
Founded in 1995, DASI Solutions assists Emerging Sector companies in the implementation of CAD, CAE, and PDM collaborative technologies used in the product development process by the Designing Engineer. DASI Solutions offers a host of Solution Partner software products that are tightly integrated with SolidWorks & Simulation as well as being an Objet 3D printer reseller in Michigan, Ohio and New York. The company has authorized sales, training, and technical support facilities located throughout the Great Lakes Region. DASI Solutions’ headquarters are located at 675 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac MI 48341.
DASI Solutions has been an active participant in the educational market with SolidWorks since 1995. It aggressively supports the national STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) curriculum and has been with The CAD Academy since it was created in 2007.
If you would like more information about DASI Solutions, please visit http://www.dasi-solutions.com or call 888-327-2974.
About The CAD Academy:
The CAD Academy is a collaboration of professionals, industry leaders, and educators cooperating to create a comprehensive and affordable pre-engineering/pre-architecture program for the education community. The goal of The CAD Academy is to inspire a new generation of engineers and architects through the implementation of industry leading software, curriculum, and multimedia content.
Industry partners such as SolidWorks, Bentley, Google SketchUp, and the Discovery Channel are instrumental in rounding out The CAD Academy’s product offering for a complete design and engineering solution.
For more information visit http://www.thecadacademy.com/.
SolidWorks 2011 Top 10 Enhancements: Straight from SolidWorks World 2010 to YOU!
As with each year, SolidWorks World lists the top ten enhancement requests as choosen by SolidWorks users.
#10 Simplify Video Card Requirements
#9 Exploded Views for Weldments
#8 Option to Dangle Children Instead of Deleting
#7 Graphical Map of Reference
#6 Allow More Types of Assembly Features
#5 Better Utilization of Processore Cores
#4 On The Fly Equations in Dialog Boxes
#3 File Compatibility Between Versions
#2 Increase Stabilty
#1 SoldWorks Should Cleanly Uninstall Itself
3Dconnexion Announces the Next Step in Intelligent 3D Navigation for SolidWorks Users
ANNOUNCED IN ANAHEIM, Calif. (SolidWorks World, Booth 201) – Feb. 1, 2010 –
3Dconnexion demonstrated the new intelligent navigation feature in Booth 201 at SolidWorks World in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, 2010.
“Previously, SolidWorks users had to zoom in fairly close and manually select a new center of rotation. We have listened to the feedback of our customers to provide designers with total control over the point of interest,” said Dieter Neujahr, president of 3Dconnexion. “By automatically establishing and displaying the optimal center of rotation, designers are now free to focus on design creativity and flexibility when using 3D mice in SolidWorks.”
When using the new update, two modes of setting the center of rotation are available. The new Auto Rotation Center sets the center of rotation to a point on the model that is nearest to the display screen center, particularly useful for use at higher zoom levels. For additional control, users can easily pick a new center of rotation point on the 3D model to suit the design task.
3Dconnexion today announced new 3D mouse capabilities for SolidWorks, bringing increased navigation intelligence to the design process. With this new feature, 3Dconnexion 3D mice can now automatically follow a designer’s point of interest and continuously determine the optimal center of rotation, enabling an easier and more intuitive exploration of the largest models and the smallest details. In addition, the center of rotation can now be seen at all times via an icon, further enhancing the navigation experience.
Availability
The new feature will be available in late February via a free 3DxWare software update, and will support SolidWorks 2005 – 2010 on Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, and Windows 7 across the entire product line. The 3Dconnexion product line includes the Professional Series with the new SpacePilot PRO (MSRP $399), SpacePilot™ (MSRP $299 with promotion) and SpaceExplorer™ (MSRP $299), and the Standard Series with the SpaceNavigator (MSRP $99) and SpaceNavigator for Notebooks (MSRP $129). For additional information, visit www.3Dconnexion.com.
About 3Dconnexion, a Logitech Company
3Dconnexion, a wholly owned subsidiary of Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI), is the leading provider of 3D mice for 3D design and visualization. 3Dconnexion devices support today’s most popular and powerful 3D applications by offering users a more intuitive and natural way to interact with computer-generated 3D content. 3Dconnexion’s award-winning 3D mice serve a wide variety of industries and are used by 3D designers, animators and artists worldwide. 3Dconnexion is headquartered in Fremont, Calif. with European headquarters in Seefeld, Germany.
Widely adopted Engineering Stimulus Program available through DASI Solutions and SolidWorks Corporation has been extended through March of 2010
Due to the continued challenge of the economy within the Great Lakes Region, DASI Solutions and SolidWorks Corporation have extended the successful SolidWorks® Engineering Stimulus Package™ through March of 2010. This program targets all Designing Engineers who are displaced, unemployed or seeking to improve their CAD skills to increase their appeal to potential employers in Emerging Sector careers. The program offers:
- A free, downloadable version of SolidWorks Standard and SolidWorks eDrawings
- Online documentation with tutorials
- Access to video training from SolidProfessor and DASI Solutions
- A discounted Certified SolidWorks Associates exam
This program reinforces DASI Solutions and SolidWorks commitment to help engineers by providing them with the right tools to design better products. Positive feedback from Bruce Foster, formerly of Parrish-Meyer Machine, stated that “DASI Solutions worked closely with my Workforce Development case manager to secure funding to enroll in instructor-based SolidWorks Blackbelt training. Upon completing the classes I realized it is one thing to be skilled, but even more important to be re-skilled with current technologies for today’s job market.”
- The SolidWorks ESP will officially end on March 31st, 2010. ESP candidates can enroll until March 31st and have 90 days to learn SolidWorks.
- The ESP Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) test coupon will still be available through March. The test coupons available through DASI must be redeemed before March 31st, but the test can be taken later until December 31st, 2010.
- To date, more than 22,000 displaced designers and engineers have taken advantage of the free SolidWorks CAD software offered through this extremely successful program.
- More than one in ten respondents had secured jobs by January, 2010 as a result of this program.
- More than 380 participants have become CSWAs, and another 500 are actively seeking certification.
No Worker Left Behind clients and Displaced Workers are encouraged to contact David Darbyshire, Engineer and Owner of DASI Solutions, by calling 248-333-2996 x 203.
SolidWorks 2010: Faster & Smarter….according to Kenneth Wong of Desktop Engineering
It’s difficult to single out certain features of SolidWorks 2010 as revolutionary steps. As the company has stated, this release focuses on productivity (a “faster, smarter, rock solid” release, according to the launch site) instead of dazzling new tools. And, since most Desktop Engineering readers are familiar with how leading midrange CAD programs work—offering 2D sketching, 3D modeling, and dimensioning functions—this article is devoted to exploring some of the new tools debuting in 2010 release of this respected solution.
Interface Improvement
One of the most notable enhancements to the SolidWorks interface is the introduction of gesture-based sketching and modeling. To activate this feature, you need to go to Tools > Customize > Mouse Gestures, then select either 4 or 8 gestures. With gestures turned on in sketch mode, you can simply right-click and drag your mouse down (as though you were drawing a straight line from top to bottom) to launch the multiple-choice wheel. Depending on whether you’ve selected 4 or 8 gestures, the wheel gives you a series of sketching options: for example, the ability to directly select a circle or square, then dimension it.
In SolidWorks 2010, you can use mouse gestures to activate the multiple-choice wheel. In sketch mode, the wheel gives you quick access to commonly used sketching tools; in 3D mode, the wheel lets you switch from one perspective to another without having to rotate the model manually.
In 3D mode, when you right-click and drag your cursor down, you launch a multiple-choice wheel that presents you with a series of perspectives. You can then easily move from front to back plane, or return to orthographic views, making it easier to pick certain hard-to-reach surfaces without rotating the model.
Placing the cursor directly on the wheel will automatically select the nearest feature, be it a square or a circle. Long-time SolidWorks users accustomed to selecting the desired sketch or modeling features from the ribbon bar menu might need to invest some time and effort in the new approach. But you can become more productive, as the gesture wheel places some of the most commonly used commands at the tips of your fingers (or mouse cursor).
Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability Xpress, a new plug-in that ships with every copy of SolidWorks 2010, was developed in conjunction with PE International, a sustainability consultant and solutions provider. Using a series of simple input parameters and dropdown windows, the tool lets you predict the environmental consequences of your manufacturing decisions with regard to choice of material, manufacturing method, production site, and sales location.
Based on your CAD part’s 3D geometry, the software can deduce how much material is required to produce the part. Using some known facts about material properties, manufacturing practices, and transportation procedures, the software estimates your parts’ environmental impacts, revealed as air pollution, water pollution, carbon emission, and energy consumption.
For example, a part that’s meant to be used in North America but produced in Asia increases energy use because of the fuel required to transport the part from its production site to deployment site. By contrast, choosing plastic instead of steel might decrease carbon emissions because of the energy-intense process of making steel.
The software doesn’t give you preset targets, such as a specific volume of energy consumption or a recommended level of carbon emission. Instead, it lets you use a manufacturing scenario—say, producing a 0.16-lb. sheet-metal part in Asia, to be sold in the U.S.—as your baseline. Subsequent scenarios using a different material, production method, or manufacturing site are judged against the baseline.
Sustainability Xpress, debuting in SolidWorks 2010, uses a series of simple input parameters and dropdown windows that let you predict environmental impacts.
Even if you’re unconcerned about environmental impacts, you will find the software’s Find Similar feature a handy tool. It enables you to identify alternative materials with similar, greater, or lower tensile strength, thermal properties, mass densities, and shear values.
Sustainability Xpress currently works only on parts, not assemblies. It’s also available to SolidWorks 2009 users as a free download from SolidWorks Labs. If you install it in SolidWorks 2009, you’ll find the application under the Tools menu. In 2010, Sustainability Xpress lives under the Evaluate tab, alongside your analysis tools.
Goal-Driven Parameters
In SolidWorks 2010, after running Simulation Xpress (the FEA analysis wizard), you’ll be asked if you wish to optimize the design. If you choose “Yes,” you’ll find yourself in the Design Study environment. (You may also initiate a Design Study session by clicking on its tab under the Evaluate tab, but you’ll probably need simulation data to use as input parameters.)
In the Design Study environment, you can select some of your part’s parameters—such as an extrusion height and a bend angle—as Variables. Then you can pick certain constraints: for example, a Factor of Safety greater than 1 (determined by the previous simulation data). Next, you set a goal, such as reduction of mass or surface area. Then run the session, allowing the software to regenerate the part by incrementally altering your part’s variable dimensions.
The Design Study feature in SolidWorks 2010 lets you automatically generate various configurations of your part, with certain goals in mind. Afterward, you may pick the option configuration recommended by the software.
From all possible permutations, the software presents one as optimal. If you agree with the recommended option, you can apply the edits. This could be valuable if you know the maximum load or deformation your part is meant to endure and you wish to find the best geometry. You can experiment with your part manually, one parameter at a time, or run a Design Study to let SolidWorks identify the best configuration
Multi-body Parts
In SolidWorks 2009, the software introduced a feature called Convert to Sheet Metal that automatically transformed a solid part into a sheet metal part. In 2010, you have the option to create multibody sheet metal parts.
When adding a new sheet metal feature, a crucial checkmark under the Sheet Metal Property Manager window lets you specify whether you want the new feature (for instance, a boss flange) to merge with the existing part. If you uncheck the Merge Results option, you get a sheet metal part with two separate bodies. Similarly, in part creation, you also have the option to merge a subsequent extrusion or sweep with the existing geometry. If unchecked, the outcome creates a multibody part. These multibody sheet metal and solid parts let you treat each body separately (as you would your assembly components). You could, for example, unfold a portion of the sheet metal part as a separate flat pattern or conduct stress analysis on a single body. Bear in mind, however, that some of the tools under Evaluation Tab (Simulation Xpress and Sustainability Xpress, to name but two) don’t support multibody parts.
Event-Based Motion Study
In 2010, SolidWorks introduces Event-Based Motion simulation (requires SolidWorks Simulation Professional). With this feature, you can define your assembly components’ contacts and behaviors as Triggers, which set in motion another event, to be completed within a certain time. Industrial machine designers stand to benefit from this tool tremendously; they might use it to refine and adjust the cycle time of each machine operation to improve efficiency.
Decals and Depth of Field
In PhotoWorks, the rendering plug-in that comes with SolidWorks, you have the option to project 2D images on your 3D models, a handy tool for consumer goods designers who need to figure out the right logo placement or detailing in fabrication. In 2010, you can toggle previously applied decals on and off, allowing you to view the superimposed 2D images within SolidWorks environment, before entering PhotoWorks’ rendering environment.
Another feature of PhotoWorks that adds realism to the rendered images is simulated depth of field, which lets you deliberately blur background objects in your rendering. In 2010, you have the option to adjust the depth of field by controlling the blur rate. (Note: To access the Depth of Field dialog box, you need to be in a camera view.)
As always, SolidWorks remains a stellar midrange CAD program, complete with basic stress analysis (Simulation Xpress), data management (PDMWorks), and rendering (PhotoWorks). By introducing Sustainability Xpress in 2010, SolidWorks paves the way for other CAD vendors to consider adding green manufacturing tools. Its simplicity and ease of use make the feature easily understandable. The Design study and event-based simulation also set it apart from its rivals, but both tools require time and patience to master.
DASI Solutions to Distribute Objet Connex and Eden Families of 3D Printers
DASI Solutions’ product portfolio is strengthened while dramatically increasing Objet Geometries sales reach
Pontiac, Michigan (January 19, 2010) – DASI Solutions, a proven reseller of 3D CAD software technologies, and Objet Geometries Inc., the innovation leader in 3D printing technology, today announced that the Connex and Eden 3D printers will now be sold in the states of Michigan, Ohio, and New York by DASI Solutions. The new initiative expands on the existing distribution of Objet’s Alaris30 Desktop 3D Printing System. Objet will continue to provide direct service and customer field support for both the Connex Family and Eden Family of 3D printers while DASI Solutions will deliver primary service for the Alaris30.
Frank Marangell, President of Objet US said, “The tremendous success we’ve garnered for the Alaris30 by selling this line through organizations like DASI Solutions highlights the sales horsepower they bring to the table. It became clear to Objet that teaming with our dealers for distribution of the Connex and Eden Families is a win-win-win for Objet, our dealers and our customers due to better coverage, enhanced economies of scale and scope while delivering the maximum added value to our customers.
“Our customers are always seeking our counsel on ways to improve their time to market and other intelligent ways to gain the critical competitive edge they always strive for,” explained David Darbyshire from DASI Solutions. The capabilities of the Connex go unmatched by any other technology in the market and the proven reliability and flexibility of the Eden Family of 3D Printers has set the bar high for this industry. Teaming with Objet Geometries for the Connex and Eden Families enables us to help our customers create better designs while bringing their products to market faster.”
Objet’s Connex Family represents a breakthrough in 3D printing by, for the first time, offering product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of multiple materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. In addition, the systems allow users to create composite materials that have pre-set combinations of mechanical properties, a breakthrough for the industry. The Connex500™ was unveiled in November 2007; the Connex350™ in June 2009. The proven Eden Family of 3D printers allows customers to utilize the full spectrum of Objet’s diverse photopolymer materials. Eden 3D Printing Systems make it possible for designers and manufacturers to create models with a wide range of physical properties – including transparency, color and elasticity – for numerous, diverse applications.
About Objet Geometries
Objet Geometries Ltd., (www.objet.com), a pioneer in photopolymer jetting, develops, manufactures and globally markets ultra-thin-layer, high-resolution 3-Dimensional printing systems and materials that utilize PolyJet™ and PolyJet Matrix™ polymer jetting technologies to print ultra-thin layers.
The market-proven Eden™ line of 3D Printing Systems and the Alaris30 3D Printer are based on Objet’s patented office-friendly PolyJet Technology. The Connex family is based on Objet’s PolyJet Matrix™ technology, which jets multiple model materials simultaneously and creates composite Digital Materials™ on the fly. All Objet systems use Objet’s FullCure® materials to create accurate, clean, smooth and highly detailed 3-dimensional models.
Objet’s solutions enable manufacturers and industrial designers to reduce cost of product development cycles and dramatically shorten time-to-market of new products. Objet systems are in use by world leaders in many industries, such as education, medical / medical devices & dental, consumer electronics, automotive, toys, consumer goods, and footwear industries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan.
Founded in 1998, Objet serves its growing worldwide customer base through offices in USA, Mexico, Europe, Japan, China and Hong Kong, and a global network of distribution partners. Objet owns more than 50 patents and patent pending inventions.
Ever wanted to explore SolidWorks with a free license?
We want to extend this personal invitation to learn about SolidWorks 3D CAD and its robust design capabilities. We’ve recognized in the past you requested more information, needed a clearer understanding of how the product worked, or simply wanted to try it for yourself. This is your chance! Join us to experience SolidWorks 3D firsthand along with the opportunity to obtain a free evaluation license!
The process of obtaining your free evaluation copy of SolidWorks is easy. SolidWorks technical managers will be hosting bi-weekly webcasts in a four part series to help you become successful:
1. Register to attend our web series
2. Attend the first session on January 26th
3. You will receive your license code via email
4. Work through the tutorials and attend the web series every month.
January 26th -Sketching with Intelligence
February 9th – Designing Parts
February 23rd – Designing Assemblies
March 9th – Creating 2D Drawings
Register Here
HOST:
Elton Smith is the Territory Technical Manager in the Great Lakes. His extensive knowledge with multiple MCAD solutions, including SolidWorks & Inventor, goes back to 2001. Over the years he’s worked with multiple design and engineering teams in several industries including; medical, consumer products, mold design & architectural. Elton has also played a key role with the implementation and continued support of SolidWorks and PDM in multiple engineering environments
Mechanical Engineer Position at A&B Packing, Hartford, MI HIRING!
A&B packing is a leading manufacturer of fruit product packaging, distributing nationally and internationally. http://www.abpacking.com
A & B is currently seeking to fill a Mechanical Engineer position for food-grade equipment design. Must have the following experience : food-grade process/conveyor design, sheet metal design and SolidWorks 3D design. Must have the ability to multi-task and meet aggressive deadlines. Degree is not required by preferred. Minimum of 5 years work experience. Please meet or exceed minimum position requirements to apply. Please send resume to tad.moody@abpacking.com
The World’s 25 Most Inventive Companies. . . Use SolidWorks!
If these companies design in SolidWorks…shouldn’t you?
Microsoft
Samsung
Canon
HP
Intel
Hitachi
Ricoh
IBM
Panasonic
Seiko Epson
Toshiba
Medtronic
3M
Sony
Texas Instruments
Xerox
Fujitsu
Pfizer
ExxonMobil
Sun Micro
Apple
Qualcomm
General Electric
Nokia
Bristol Meyers Squibb
Full article found here.
