Register for an upcoming SolidWorks Event: SolidWorks What's New, Simulation, Enterprise PDM, 3DVIA Composer

We have a variety of FREE SolidWorks Webcasts coming up in March.  If you would like to learn more about SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, 3DVIA Composer or SolidWorks Enterprise PDM, register for one for the sessions below.

Topic	Date	Time	Register
SolidWorks 2012 - What's New Webcast	March 6, 2012	2:00pm -- 3:00pm CT	Register
SolidWorks Simulation Webcast	March 12, 2012	2:00pm -- 3:00pm CT	Register
CATIpult Webcast: SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Integration Best Practices	March 15, 2012	12:00pm -- 1:30pm CT	Register
SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Webcast	March 16, 2012	10:00am -- 11:00am CT	Register
3DVIA Composer Webcast	March 19, 2012	10:00am -- 11:00am CT	Register

For a complete list of upcoming events please visit the events schedule page of our web site.

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Simulate a hot environment

SolidWorks Flow Simulation is a great tool, to help us understand effects of local heat in an environment. We had an interesting project at hand, we were asked to figure out, heat generated in a small furnace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the cad model is ready all we have to do is enter basic information. For example how hot the  heating element get (power in watts) , fan speed (rpm) and ambient conditions (room pressure and temperature). We can then figure out heat generated (temperature) in the rods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, how uniform is the temperature along the conveyor belt. This is very important  to ensure  components running through the belt get cured uniformly. In a typical furnace they have to maintain a definite temperature range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we understand the effect of heating rod and conveyor belt temperature, we can also visualize air movement in the curing chamber. This can be done using Flow trajectories.

 

 

 

 

 

The alternative to this virtual test is to build a physical model, mount temperature gages and run smoke tests to figure out air movement.  Good luck doing all this in 15 minutes.

In these hot environments it is not only necessary to figure out the engineering aspect, but also to determine how comfortable is someone working in close proximity to these furnaces. Solidworks Flow Simulation also calculates comfort parameters as per ASHRAE standards. 

 

The image on the left is  (PMV) Predicted Mean Vote. PMV is an index on how hot or cold a person would feel based on 7 point thermal scale (-3 to 3). -3 being cold to 3 being hot. In this case the plot is taken 5 inches from the from of the furnace.The image on the right is Predicted Percent Disatisfied (PPD). PPD is an index that provides information on thermal discomfort. Since it indicates 100%, I would suggest do not stand 5 inches from the rear of the furnace.

 

 

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

Computer Aided Technology Inc., the Nation’s Original SolidWorks Reseller, Receives Multiple Awards at SolidWorks World 2012

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.(CATI) was recognized at SolidWorks World 2012 for their demonstrated leadership in providing complete SolidWorks Solutions to their clients design, engineering, and manufacturing challenges.  CATI received two of the most prestigious awards offered to the reseller channel; the President’s Club Award and the 100% Club Award.  “As a reseller, winning these awards validates the effort and hard work put in throughout the year. A partner can’t receive these acknowledgements without having a well-balanced team and depth of experience in place.  It was no surprise to call CATI up to the stage this year for these awards.  They are a great partner and a valuable member of the reseller community.  Congratulations to the whole CATI team for a tremendous year,” said Ken Clayton, Vice President, Worldwide Sales Dassualt Systemes SolidWorks.  The President’s Club Award is given to Tier One resellers committed to providing a comprehensive solution to their client’s challenges.  The 100% Club Award is given to resellers that meet or exceed 100% of their product goals for the year.

Members of the CATI team also received individual recognition taking home awards for both sales and technical achievements. “The bottom line is that we aren’t successful unless our clients are successful.  We have been working hard for almost twenty years to continually find ways to add more value to our customers. Having a well rounded, knowledgeable team is the foundation required to make this happen. We look forward to building on this success in 2012” said CATI President Rich Werneth.

About CATI
Computer Aided Technology, Inc. (CATI), founded in 1992 by engineering and manufacturing professionals, is a one stop, full-service provider of scalable design and manufacturing solutions. CATI creates competitive advantage for clients by leveraging an industry-experienced team and leading technology solutions. From 3D Solid Modeling and Analysis to Mold Design to Enterprise-wide Data Management and Rapid Prototyping, CATI has the tools, the experience, the knowledge and the dedication to bring your business vision to reality. CATI is the Nation's Original Resource for SolidWorks with the Midwest's Leading Support & Services Team and is a leading provider of a number of other best-in-class engineering technologies. CATI has two wholly-owned subsidiaries; Inflow Technology and Strategic Technology Solutions serving customers world-wide. To see the company profile, visit www.cati.com.

About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions that help millions of engineers and designers succeed through innovation. Our products deliver an intuitive experience in product design, simulation, publishing, data management, and environmental impact assessment. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit our Web site (www.solidworks.com)  or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).

Jim TeDesco, Marketing
888.308.2284 ext. 8003
www.cati.com

Default view mode in Composer

While working on a recent support call, I have learned of a new setting in the default settings that will allow a user to set the default display mode to View rather that Camera mode when opening the 3DVIA Composer software.  This can be found by entering the Default Document Settings options, Selecting Project, and checking the option for View Mode.

This is a great setting so we do not have to manually change the view each time.

 

Here's a fun SolidWorks issue to try and figure out ... with an easy fix!

When trying to modify a dimension by inputting dimension values into the Modify dialog box, the Add Equation dialog box appears.

Answer: This may seem too obvious, but make sure that the "Num Lock" key is on. 

If the "Num Lock" key is NOT on, then the numbers are not numbers anymore but are the Windows shortcuts as follows:

1: End
2: Down arrow.
3: PgDn
4: Left arrow.
5. No command
6. Right arrow.
7. Home.
8. Up arrow.
9: PgUp.

So, in the Modify Dialog box, if the "Num Lock" key is NOT on, number 2 and number 9 are hotkeys that bring up the Equation editor. The number 3 brings up the Shared Values dialog box.

Neil Bucalo
Technical Analyst
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Creating a view of a single structural weldment in Solidworks

If you create a structural member in Solidworks 2012 that has two or more members mitered to each, it causes the drawing view of that structural member to show all the members that are mitered together. The first picture that you see there was created using one structural member/one group.

However what if you wanted a drawing view of just one of those members and not all of them you would either have to split them up into multiple structural members or simply uncheck on the option for “merge miter trimmed bodies”. 

 

Then you will be able to create a drawing view of just one of them members.

 

Ketul Patel