SolidWorks User Group - Kansas City

Kansas City SolidWorks User Group

On June 27^th, I attended and presented at the
KCSWUG meeting hosted by MRI Global.  My
topic was presenting some of our findings with regards to making SolidWorks
perform with hardware sized for your SolidWorks models.  Also at this meeting we saw a presentation
from SolidWorks employee, Richard Allen. 
Richard is a Product Portfolio Manager for SolidWorks Corporation.  His role consists of “acting as the voice for
the customer” which means he tries to do the following:

• Work with product enhancements


• Increase performance and quality


• Innovate new products

Richard also spoke of a new 3D Dimensioning standard on part
models to reduce printed or 2D drawings. The US government is already using
this for Military contract suppliers. 
This new methodology is estimated to save 28% of scrap due to better
understanding of dimensions on the 3D Model. 
Did you know that SolidWorks has had 3D Model Dimensions since
SolidWorks 2008 in the form of DimXpert? 
DimXpert for Parts is a set of tools you use to apply dimensions and
tolerances to parts according to the requirements of ASME Y14.41-2003 and ISO
16792:2006.

We also talked about obstacles that the group would face
trying to “do away” with 2D printed drawings. 
Several members agree that this would be strange in that most like to
write on drawings and this would not be possible on a screen image.  How would shops afford monitors, tablets and
other viewing devices for the production floor staff to view your models
on?  Just getting around the fact that we
like to hold and touch a drawing and use pencils or pens to write on them will
be strange.

Richard also mentioned that SolidWorks 2014 will ship
sometime in the October 2013 time frame. 
Beta 2014 is now open for registration. 
We urge all users to sign up for this, and try 2014 BETA on a separate
machine for testing and playing around.

SolidWorks has reached another huge milestone.  Over 2,000,000 users of the product now
worldwide!  Some schools across the globe
are placing SolidWorks educational software on student’s machines as young as 7
or 8 years old!  Can you believe that?  Customer satisfaction for SolidWorks products
has increased 5% since 2007, and is now close to 94% approval based on mailed
out surveys. 

Richard also demonstrated the new eDrawings Pro application
on his iPad.  This has the new Augmented
Reality feature which allows you to display your SolidWorks models using
eDrawings, and the camera function from your tablet to place virtually your
models in the room or environment seen by your camera!  Very cool technology.  These App’s run $2 or $10 from the Apple Store.

Check out this video for more information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVcIaBAQSE4

For a stormy Thursday night we had a pretty good turnout and
the food is always great.  If you get a
chance to come next time, the meeting will be sometime in September and the
user group web site is http://www.kcswug.com/main/

Hope to see you there!

Thanks,

Brian Reel

CATI

How Stratasys' FDM 3D Printing Technology Works

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology is a powerful Stratasys-patented additive manufacturing method.

FDM builds concept models, functional prototypes and end-use parts in standard, engineering-grade and high-performance thermoplastics. It’s the only professional 3D printing technology that uses production-grade thermoplastics, so parts are unrivaled in mechanical, thermal and chemical strength.

The Invention of FDM Technology

Stratasys founder Scott Crump invented FDM Technology more than 20 years ago, and Stratasys has continued to lead the 3D printing revolution ever since, developing a range of systems that appeal to large manufacturers, designers, engineers, educators and other professionals.

How FDM Works

3D printers that run on FDM Technology build parts layer-by-layer by heating thermoplastic material to a semi-liquid state and extruding it according to computer-controlled paths.

FDM uses two materials to execute a print job: modeling material, which constitutes the finished piece, and support material, which acts as scaffolding. Material filaments are fed from the 3D printer’s material bays to the print head, which moves in X and Y coordinates, depositing material to complete each layer before the base moves down the Z axis and the next layer begins.

Once the 3D printer is done building, the user breaks the support material away or dissolves it in detergent and water, and the part is ready to use.

FDM Benefits

FDM is a clean, simple-to-use, office-friendly 3D printing process. Thermoplastic parts can endure exposure to heat, chemicals, humid or dry environments, and mechanical stress. Soluble support materials make it possible to produce complex geometries and cavities that would be difficult to build with traditional manufacturing methods.

What happened to my SolidWorks Add-ins?

Premium Add-Ins

We recently had a customer who has a SolidWorks Premium license but did not have any of the Premium add-ins. The customer installed and launched SolidWorks. It even launched as SolidWorks Premium but did not have any of the add-ins. (Picture below is what SolidWorks Premium Add-Ins should look like)

I have seen this issue before and it is fairly common. The most likely cause of this is the add-ins were turned off during the install by accident. To get your add-ins to show up is pretty simple. All you have to do is go and modify the installation.

You go to Start, Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features. Select SolidWorks and select Change.

Once you select Change, the SolidWorks Installation Manager will launch. Select Modify the Installation.

Click Next. Click Next when you get to the Serial Number screen. SolidWorks will go to the System Check screen and then to the Product Selection screen. When on the Product Selection screen you need to expand SolidWorks and select the Add-ins you want added.

All you need to do is select next through the installation and then launch SolidWorks and you should then have all of the add-ins.

Phil Whitaker
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

SolidWorks 2014 Beta Now Available

That's right.  SolidWorks 2014 is officially available for Beta Testing.  Visit the SolidWorks Beta Site for complete information and to sign up.

http://www.solidworks.com/beta

About SolidWorks Beta Programs

This is your opportunity to impact the quality, performance, and reliability of DS SolidWorks products. SolidWorks appreciates the valuable time you invest in testing their software.

The R&D staff will be available to listen and react to your feedback in the Beta Forum. Simply said, the development and QA teams of SolidWorks 2014 really want to hear from you!

Our objective is to give you confidence in your migration to SolidWorks 2014.

Testing with Beta releases helps avoid migration problems that are specific to your environment, data and workflows.

As a way of thanking you for your efforts, there are several exciting contests where you can win valuable prizes.

How to Participate

Register for Beta by creating a Customer Portal account or update your existing account settings to join Beta. Select “Notify me of Beta Programs” in your Customer Portal profile.  

Your SolidWorks Subscription Service status must be valid and active in order to participate in Beta Programs.

What is included?

1. Access to Beta Downloads


2. Beta Forum access where you can contribute to public discussions with other participants and SolidWorks staff


3. Problem reporting

 

Login to sign up for Beta.

Happy testing!

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Manager
Computer Aided Technology, Inc. 

How Stratasys' Polyjet 3D Printing Technology Works

PolyJet 3D printing is similar to inkjet document printing. But instead of jetting drops of ink onto paper, PolyJet 3D printers jet layers of liquid photopolymer onto a build tray and cure them with UV light. The layers build up one at a time to create a 3D model or prototype. Fully cured models can be handled and used immediately, without additional post-curing. Along with the selected model materials, the 3D printer also jets a gel-like support material specially designed to uphold overhangs and complicated geometries. It is easily removed by hand and with water.

PolyJet 3D printing technology has many advantages for rapid prototyping, including superior quality and speed, high precision, and a very wide variety of materials. Based on PolyJet technology, Objet Connex 3D Printers from Stratasys are the only additive manufacturing systems that can combine different 3D printing materials within the same 3D printed model, in the same print job.

The Only Multi-Material 3D Printing Technology

Objet Connex 3D Printers feature unique technology that can jet multiple materials in a single print run. This means that you can selectively position multiple materials in one printed prototype and even combine two materials to create composite digital materials with distinct, predictable material properties.

With more than 100 materials and digital material combinations to choose from, including rigid to rubber-like, opaque to transparent and ABS-simulating performance, the sky is the limit. More than ever, your prototypes can match the look, feel and function of the most complex end products.

PolyJet 3D Printing Benefits

PolyJet technology creates precision prototypes that set the standard for finished-product realism. Its very thin print layers make complex shapes, fine details and smooth finished surfaces possible. Objet Connex 3D Printers offer more material versatility than any other technology, including the ability to print multiple materials simultaneously.

How Simple is Too Simple??

When doing simulations, time and accuracy are both very
valuable.  Using different configurations
is a good way to balance the two.  As
always though, there are trade-offs from going too far either way.  Too much simplification can mean widely
incorrect results while too little can lead to negligible decrease in time.

 

In this example, a wing was created with three
configurations;

ribbed,

hollow

and solid.

A fixed geometry was added to the wing edges where it would
attach to the airplane body and a force of 25000 N was added coming from the
front at an angle of attack of 5.5°.

 

Configuration	Time	Stress	Displacement
Ribbed	33 sec	6.2 Mpa	8.93 mm
Hollow	5 sec	6.6 Mpa	10.1 mm
Solid	2 sec	2.9 Mpa	3.78 mm

As shown by the results above, while the differences in
stress and displacement between the ribbed and hollow configurations are small,
the gains in time spent in calculations are large.  Conversely between the hollow and solid
configurations, the time gained by this simplification is small and the
differences in stress and displacement are large.  While the times in these simulations are all
small, more complex parts and assemblies will take longer and simplified
configurations will help to decrease the time spent and memory used.  As long as they are not oversimplified,
simplified configurations become very useful.

 

Chad Whitbeck

CATI-Application Engineer

 

Additive Manufacturing Trends in Aerospace

Aerospace Industry Launches into the Future with Additive Manufacturing Trends 

The aerospace industry has long been looked to as a leader in predicting manufacturing trends. Learn how organizations, such as NASA & Leptron, are using additive manufacturing in all cycles of production, from design concept to near-end-of-life repairs.

In this white paper you will learn:

• 
  

  How the aerospace industry leverages additive manufacturing throughout its processes and functions

  
  


• 
  

  Benefits of design flexibility, cost reductions, and improved lead times

  
  


• 
  

  How the leading aerospace organizations use additive manufacturing to bring products to the market faster

  
  

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Manager
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.