One Black coffee please!

I was asked on a very sleepy morning how does the house coffee machine work and could I simulate the thermostat which works overtime in most hourseholds. So off I went to hunt for some facts. Assuming that initially, (before turning the machine on) everything pot, and surrounding air is at 72F. The initial temperature of coffee is 195 F. The coffee pot is heated at the bottom by a 2000 Watt heat power source to keep the temperature of the coffee between 190 F and 200 F.  A thermostat is placed at the top surface of the coffee machine, which turns the power off if the temperature at the thermostat location exceeds 200F. The heat power remains off until the temperature in the previous step drops below 190F.

 
Once the basic information was in place, next step was fairly simple using SolidWorks Simulation, I was able to look assign power to be bottom face of the coffee pot. The transient analysis helped simulate the thermostat.

 
 

To make sure the thermostat was working, I probed the top surface of coffee and check the temperature variation with time. The temperature at the thermostat location increases until it reaches the maximum allowed temperature. In the following calculation steps, the thermostat turns off the power source until the temperature at the thermostat location drops below the minimum allowable value. After that coffee goes through similar cycles of cooling and heating.

 

Now that I have convinced myself and a very special critque of mine….how about that coffee.?

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager - Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

Where did my SolidWorks download go?

So a new Service Pack(SP) comes out and you're interested.

First, check the list of fixed SPR's from the Customer Portal. Make sure there are fixes in there that will make it worth your time to update. ;)  

Second, download the update or full DVD with the installation manager.

Third, after the download completes run the update.

Uh, but where is the download exactly? Well in Windows 7 x64 it would be C:\users\<your login>\documents\SolidWorks Downloads - Unless you put it somewhere else. If so, well, who knows, start searching for sldIM.exe this might refresh your memory.

 

Sheetmetal Chamfer in SolidWorks

To insert a chamfer on a sheet metal part you can use Break Corner option.  It is really easy to apply this feature to several corners at a time.  Simply select the transverse edge of the sheet metal part when selecting edges.

 

Get 11 SolidWorks tips in 11 days from CATI and SolidProfessor

CATI and SolidProfessor invite you to find out what's new in SolidWorks 2011 as we spotlight our 11 favorite new features over the next 11 days.

>Click here to get the first video, and sign up to get 11 tips delivered to your inbox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

SolidWorks 2012 Beta 1 is ready for download

Just a hour or so ago the SolidWorks 2012 Beta 1 has released. So for all you eager beta testers past, present, and future, its "Time to step up and DOWNLOAD!"

If you are not a member for the beta program you can sign up on the SolidWorks customer portal. To download beta you will go to Downloads/Updates in the customer portal and select 2012 from the year pull down.

 

For more information visit the BETA SITE

Cheers

Bob McGaughey, CSWE

CATI

Solidworks 2012 Beta Coming Very VERY Soon

 

About SolidWorks 2012 Beta Programs

This is your opportunity to impact the quality, performance, and reliability of DS SolidWorks products.

Our objective is to provide you with early access to the next version of SolidWorks so you tell us about issues specific to your environment, data and workflows that would impact your migration experience.

We anticipate SolidWorks 2012 Beta will be released at the end of June, 2011.  As part of the program, we have several contests and prizes available - please check them out.

We look forward to receiving your feedback so we can help make your migration to SolidWorks 2012 straightforward.

Have a great weekend,

Bob McGaughey, CSWE

CATI

3d Via Composer 2012 Release

To all you Composer users out there 3dvia Composer 2012 release some time ago.

 

Key new features in this release.

Lifelike Experience

• Configurable Ambient


• Part-to-Part Shadows


• Depth of Field Focal Point


• Glow Rendering Effect

Usability and Navigation

• Managing Actor Visibility in Views


• Smooth Animation Paths


• Animation Range Control


• Control Buttons & Event Links

Publishing

• Vectorization Improvements


• Configurable Web Templates

You can download it today from the customer portal

Have a great day,

Bob McGaughey, CSWE

CATI

SimpoeWorks Mold Simulation Webcast

Join us June 28th for a SimpoWorks Mold Simualtion Webcast. SimpoeWorks allows SolidWorks users to simulate the complete manufacturing process of their plastic parts, from filling to warpage, without ever leaving their familiar graphic environment.

>Click Here to Register

Highlights:

• Visualization of the melt front


• Weld lines


• Air traps


• Temperature and pressure distributions


• Shear rate and constraints


• Clamping forces

SimpoeWorks Mold Simulation Software can shorten design cycles and give you an advantage in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

When:
June 28, 2011
10:00am -- 11:00am Central Time
>Click Here to Register

 

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc

Non Linear Analysis

Nature is nonlinear. That means linear analysis can only approximate the real nonlinear behavior of parts and assemblies. Most of the time, such an approximation is acceptable, and linear analysis can provide valuable insight into product characteristics. In many cases, however, linear assumptions differ too much from reality and provide crude or misleading information.

Using the results of linear analysis to decide if a part will fail under its operating loads may lead to overdesign. For example, a bracket design analyzed only with linear analysis requires the designer to stick with a requirement that stress must not exceed the yield. But nonlinear analysis may show that some yielding is used or to choose a less expensive material without compromising structural integrity. An engineer may be concerned about too large a deflection of a flat panel as tested with linear analysis, for another example, and overdesign it to compensate for that deflection without ever knowing that linear analysis exaggerated the deformations, and it was fine as originally designed.

Snapping of buckle is a good example where non linear analysis will give prescribed results. Geometry change together with material response change can be predicted accurately using non linear testing. A linear test will not be able to predict overall behavior accounting for shape and load variation. Some examples where non linear testing will be crucial.

Diaphragm spring : The non linear spring characteristic requires a nonlinear geometry analysis to account for membrane effects.

Pulley : A stamped steel pulley may buckle under belt load before it develops excessive stresses. Although a linear buckling analysis may be enough to determine buckline load, nonlinear analysis is required to study postbuckling behavior.

Allen wrench: Contact between wrench and socket screw necessitates contact stress analysis.

 Historically, engineers were reluctant to use nonlinear analysis, because of its complex problem formulation and long solution time. That's changing now, as nonlinear FEA software interfaces with CAD and has become much easier to use. In addition, improved solution algorithms and powerful desktop computers have shortened solution times. A decade ago, engineers recognized FEA as a valuable design tool. Now they are starting to realize benefits and greater understanding that nonlinear FEA brings to the design process.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager - Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.
 

Gusset a Sheet Metal Bend

It is quite common to find a gusset of sorts in the corner(bend region) of sheet metal parts to stiffen the part. To accomplish this, we'll create a custom form tool (or copy the one attached) to define the shape of the gusset. We'll then apply the form tool to the part, orient and locate the form tools sketch and close the dialog. The result is a formed gusset across the bend of a sheet metal part. This "looks" good but is not flatten-able. To get the flat blank/pattern you'll need to first suppress this form tool.

First, we start with a sheet metal part requiring a gusset.

Note: this part is 12ga (.1046) material and this also appears in the form tool part, these need to match.

Second, we'll drag the form tool from the Design Library and drop it onto our part.

 

Third, we'll add relations and dimensions to locate the form tool on the part.

Viola!
Remember: You'll need to suppress this form tool gusset in order to flatten the part.

Download Full_Round-Gusset

Bent Spring

Problem:  You need to create a spring that is bent. 

You need it to follow a path, something like so…

 
Helix will not because it only works in a straight line.

 

Solution:  Create a Sweep… Yes, a Sweep.

You will need to use the option to twist along path under the Orientation/twist type.   

 

When you have a high number of turns, as I do in this particular part, it can flatten the profile. 

 
This is not exactly the best solution either.

 

To fix this, you will need to change the profile sketch, sketch plane.   Change it to the same plane that you created the path for the sweep.  This goes against conventional wisdom when it comes to creating sweeps.  However, in this situation, it works rather well.   SolidWorks will not give you a preview if you use the standard options.  But if you switch to the twist option, it works…

 
 

You can also combine this technique with the helix...

 

Now you can go design your very own old school phone cord.

 

Nathan Brunner, CSWP

Technical Analyst

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

 

How To Change The Display Of Just One Dimension

Most of the time our templates are customized to behave the way we "usually" do things, for example displaying dimensions as three place decimals.

Q: So how does one change the display of just one dimension to display as a fraction?

A: Start by selecting the dimension. On the left in the Property Manager we'll see information about that selected dimension. Select the "Other" tab, then select the checkbox for "Override Units", select the radio button for "Fractions", then set the value of your choice for "Denominator". Note: You may also need to select "Round to nearest fraction" if the true decimal value doesn't equate to your fractional denominator choice. 

A Plethora of Plane Creation

How can you say I can create a Plethora of Planes if you do not know what a Plethora issss..

 
The other day in class I was reviewing plane creation when I heard, "I would say you have a plethora of planes." In a bad latin accent. That inspired a tangent that almost derailed the class.... Thanks Bill. But it got me thinking, "why not have a series on planes in the blog." So here it goes....

Chapter #1 - Plethora of Planes.

Would you like to create number of equally spaced planes in one shot. We you can in the plane creation command and its pretty easy. Start a plane, either from Insert, Reference Geometry,Plane or Control dragging on an existing plane in the view port. You will see this box.

 
By increasing this box you create multiple planes in one command at the same spacing. Take that Ned Nederlander.

Bob McGaughey, CSWE

CATI

Objet's New Clear Material for 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping

Earlier this year Objet announced the release fo 3 new revolutionary materials for 3D printing and rapid prototyping, the Objet VeroClear material being one of them. 

The VeroClear material produces prototypes with similar visual properties to PMMA, a common glass substitute.  Common applications for this material include lighting covers and cases and glass‐like elements in consumer goods, consumer electronics and cosmetics packaging.  Watch this short video below to learn more.

SolidWorks Drafting Standards

Occasionally you find a drawing that doesn’t look right. What I mean is that the dimension size, fonts, etc. don’t match what everyone is used to seeing. This might be a really old drawing, it might be that someone used an incorrect drawing template (local versus networked template file). Either way its just not fitting in as we’d like it to. Now at first glance of the Tools, Options, Document Properties is seems like there is a lot of settings to consider, check and change. This usually causes someone to say; “This will take too long, the heck with it.”

Hold on! There is a solution to this, see the first category under Document Properties, it says Drafting Standard. To the right of this is a couple of buttons to “Save to External File…” and “Load From External File” and this is the quick solution. From a “good” drawing file, go to the options and pick “Save to External File…”. This will capture to a file what a good drawing’s Drafting Standard has for everything down the tree below Drafting Standard, all the way to Virtual Sharps. Once this file is created, you can then (in the drawing that doesn’t look right) “Load From External File”. This will bring in and set all of these Drafting Standard items to the way the other drawings look. – Viloa!

For another method to do this, consider the SolidWorks Design Checker Add-In. It’s available for those who have SolidWorks Professional and Premium and offers more checks and changes than just the Drafting Standards items.

SolidWorks 2012 Beta set to launch in June

The SolidWorks Beta team announced that the 2012 Beta program will be launched at the end of June 2011. 

>Click here to be a part of the 2012 Beta

This year’s Beta program has many new user driven changes. Here are just a few of the enhancements:

• Redesigned Beta website with improved navigation and accessibility to key information


• Improved problem reporting


• Creative competitions to stretch your minds, challenge your SolidWorks skills, and win prizes

Visit the 2012 Beta site and click "Join Now".

Be part of the SolidWorks 2012 Beta program to test and explore all the new and exciting features for SolidWorks Design, Simulation, and Enterprise PDM!

If you have any questions please email us at beta@solidworks.com

Simulate Performance of Your Sheetmetal Assemblies in SolidWorks

The June installment of the SolidWorks webcast series highlights the sheetmetal applications inside SolidWorks 2011. 

This webinar will focus on how SolidWorks Simulation tools can complement your design process by being able to digitally simulate and understand the performance of your sheetmetal assemblies under real world conditions.

 >Register Here

Topics include:

• Understanding the strength & performance of sheetmetal designs


• Light weighting designs without compromising on the performance


• Frequency and Vibration analysis of sheetmetal Enclosures


• Fluid Flow analysis in and around sheet metal enclosures


• Understanding the environmental impact of your designs

Tuesday June 21st
1:00PM EST (12:00 CST)

>Register Here

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

SolidWorks Solutions for Sheetmetal

Join the SolidWorks technical team for a complimentary webcast. This webinar will focus on improving your time to market and reducing costly errors by utilizing the powerful sheetmetal tools available in SolidWorks 2011.

 >Register Here!

Topics include:

• Creation of sheetmetal components


• Controlling bend deduction, radius and thickness


• Flat Pattern creation & drawings


• Multi-Body sheetmetal environment


• In-Context design

Tuesday June 21st
12:00PM EST (11:00 CST)

>Register Here!

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Coordinator
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Jaguar utilizes Objet's Connex500 to print working 3D models

Print Working 3D Models quickly for style, fit and function testing.  Download the case study to learn how Jaguar does it all.

Working Jaguar Air Vent Printed on the Connex500

 

 

 

Objet Connex 3D printing systems are the first that jets multiple model materials simultaneously. They offer the completely unique ability to print parts and assemblies made of multiple model materials, with different mechanical or physical properties, all in a single build.

 

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Selection Manager

Surfacing Beginner,

You ever start a loft or a sweep and can't pick all the segments you need for a profile or guide. Well you should try the selection manager. It's found in the right mouse button click of the viewport when your in those type of commands. Here's example I did today.

 

As you can see it looks like the user was trying to loft 2 edges to a single edge. As you can see that didn't work. In comes the selection manager, which creates a selection group of multiple segments, edges, sketch geometry, that is treated as one element in the feature, awesome.... He cleared out the selection set and the right mouse button clicked in the viewport. Made his selections and hit the green check on the floating box to create that selection group. Stamp as DONE!!! as they used to say on Monster House.

 
 

Have great one, I'm off to do something... even if it's Wrong.

Bob McGaughey,CSWE

CATI

Trek Bicycle Accelerates Design Cycles With Objet 3D Printer

Last Month Objet and Desktop Engineering hosted a webinar discussing Trek's improvement to their design cycle by incorporating Objet 3D printing.  Objet and Desktop Engineering have made available a recording of the webinar. If you missed the presentation here is your chance to catch it.

>Click here to view the recording

During the webinar you'll learn from Mike Zeigle, Manager of Trek's Prototype Development Group, how Objet's 3D printing technology:

• Cuts prototyping costs, allowing for multiple iterations and a superior product;


• Accelerates design cycles, bringing better products to market faster;


• Provides a competitive advantage, allowing Trek to continue as market leader in development, design and manufacturing of bikes.

  >Click here to view the recording

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.