Red Zone Robotics in Pittsburgh, PA Hiring

Lead Mechanical/Product Engineer

Location:  Pittsburgh, PA
Department:  Engineering
Type:  Full Time
Min. Experience:  Mid Level

RedZone Robotics is seeking a lead mechanical/product engineer to lead sustaining and new product efforts on RedZone’s robotic inspection products. 

In this capacity, you’ll play a strategic role in helping RedZone enhance existing cutting edge remotely operated as well as autonomous robots. Primary focus of the position will be to lead a team of mechanical, electrical and software engineers in the development of innovative electro-mechanical sub-systems for robotic platforms and advanced sensory attachments. This will encompass all engineering activities from conception to production release of new features and products.

Read More and Apply Online

Learn How Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Can Get Your Products to Market Faster

"An important advantage of FDM is that it provides a stronger grade of ABS which means we no longer have to worry about the prototypes breaking."
- Matt Bauer, President of Pedal Brain.

Pedal Brain produces an iPhone accessory that logs a wide range of data for competitive cyclists and also uploads it onto the web where it can be viewed by coaches and teammates. A critical part of Pedal Brain is the plastic bracket that mounts the iPhone so it can be easily viewed by the rider. In the past, Pedal Brain sent their bracket designs to a company that built prototypes using stereolithography (SLA). Now with their own Dimension 3D Printer in-house, they get more prototypes faster. "FDM gives us the chance to try out many more different ideas and experiments with the result that we have been able to steadily improve the performance of our brackets."

Read the entire story 

See For Yourself

Stratasys 3D Printers and Production Systems build parts using durable thermoplastics.

Request a Sample

Considering SolidCAM Xpress? Read This

 

Nice writeup on SolidCAM Xpress from Al Dean, editor of Develop3D.
Excerpt below.

SolidCAM has built a reputation on providing single window integrated CAM for the SolidWorks community, but how can it address those first dipping their toes into CNC Machining? Al Dean finds out.

With today’s trend towards outsourced manufacturing, it may come as a surprise that many design and engineering houses are looking to bring their machining operations back in house. Or indeed, to establish them for the first time.

Read Full Article

RHK Technology in Troy, Michigan Hiring a BSME

RHK Technology manufactures and globally markets a complete line of Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) products used in nanotechnology research.  Products are constantly being developed and refined to meet the dynamic and diverse SPM market.  A complete commitment to excellence exists throughout the design, manufacturing and support levels of RHK Technology.  It is our dedication to our employees, products and customers that explains our unprecedented growth and respect in the industry.  It is due to our desire to provide the best products to the industry that we have a need to expand our scientific team and add a Mechanical Engineer.

A Mechanical Engineer is needed to work with our R&D team of scientists to implement design ideas and take concepts from prototypes to production.  Tasks include mechanical design and structural analysis of new parts, implementing design standards for new and existing parts, and designing and manufacturing to reduce prototyping costs.  This position will also be responsible for design of complete turnkey systems including assembly drawings and BOMs.

Position requirements are BSME, minimum 5 years relevant design experience, ability to work well in small teams, be a self starter, very secure with SolidWorks and small precision components.  Experience of vacuum components and equipment is beneficial.

Please submit your resume/curriculum vitae and eDrawings of some of your own SolidWorks models to:

RHK Technology
Attn:  Human Resources
1050 E Maple Rd
Troy, MI  48084
hr@rhk-tech.com
fax:  248-577-5433

Feel free to visit our website at www.rhk-tech.com

FISHER/UNITECH To Exhibit in Design2Part Show, Covington, KY

Don't miss FISHER/UNITECH at the upcoming Design2Part Show in Covington, KY.

Dates:  Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th
Times:  Tuesday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, Wednesday, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Northern Kentucky Convention Center
One West RiverCenter Blvd.
Covington, KY  41011

Stop by Booth #430, and catch a glimpse of the Dimension uPrint 3D Printer, offering more flexibility than ever for making 3D models for visualization, collaboration and functional testing.  uPrint models are made in ABSplus - a production-grade thermoplastic - and are tough enough for functional testing under real-world conditions.  They can be drilled, machined, sanded, painted, and chrome-plated.  They're perfect for proof of concept, functional testing, product mock-ups and even making jigs, fixtures and vacuum forming molds.

Learn from our local team of experts how the SolidWorks family of design products allows you to focus on innovation, while increasing productvity and improving collaboration.  We'll demonstrate the entire SolidWorks solution set including 3D CAD, Design Validation, Product Data Management and Documentation.

The Design2Part Show is the region's largest event for buyers of custom parts, components, services and design.  Attendees can register for free admission to the show by visiting http://www.d2p.com/registration.

3DVIA Composer V6R2011x SP1 is LIVE

3DVIA Composer V6R2011x SP1 LIVE for all Subscription customers.

Download it now from the SolidWorks Customer Portal.

eCar Design Challenge

Reposted from the Dassault Systemes blog

There is a new generation of car users, people who feel responsible for their environment. Citizens of all social categories, who strive for the right measures to be taken.

If this means something to you and your passionate about being part of the solution then the eCar Design Challenge is where you can express yourself!

Dassault Systèmes, in collaboration with 40 Fires, is hosting this international design challenge for professionals, students and design enthusiasts.

The car will transport 2 passengers and their luggage with ease. It will have a carbon fibre monocoque. The vehicle will be powered by H2 fuel cell technology, driven by 4 hub motors, one in each wheel. This innovative technology will allow a completely new design layout and therefore a fresh approach to the architecture of the vehicle. For recycling reasons the car body will be finished in raw carbon. New usages and services need to be invented together with a holistic company-philosophy that will seriously address the pending environmental, economical and social issues. Aerodynamics will play a key role in the vehicle design and therefore the car’s frontal footprint must be taken into account. The vehicle should be aesthetically advanced without being shocking.

Awards: The winning designer will come with DS to the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and present to professionals and the public

The Jury:

* Anne Asensio who leads the Design Studio at Dassault Systèmes

* Christopher Reitz the head designer at Riversimple

* Guest star to be announced…

3 phases:

• Sketch It (13th June to 3rd July) – post your 2D sketches (3 exterior views + 2 interior views) 
• Model It (18th July to 28th August) – the 5 finalists chosen by the community and the jury will be supported by DS to model their designs in 3D 
• Experience It (29th August to 9th September) – the winning design will be integrated into a 3D virtual experience illustrating the new usages and services

Registration and submission details can be found on the eCar Design Challenge community, just follow the video below to logon and get access:

New Webcast Recording Available: Design Automation with SW API

We've added another webcast recording to the archive on our website, check it out!

Drive Cost Reductions with SolidWorks API

In this webinar you'll learn why you should be using the SolidWorks API (application programming interface) to leverage your investment in SolidWorks.

You will learn:

• The Basics of Design Automation
• How the API Unleashes Unlimited Automation Possibilities for Both Engineering and Customer Service
• Why You Should Invest in Design Automation.

View the Webcast Recording

See Additive Manufacturing Technology at Its Best

Visit booth #302 at RAPID to see Stratasys' patented Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) systems in action.

WHERE:  Hyatt Regency Downtown, Minneapolis, MN

DATES/HOURS:
Tues. May 24: 11:30 am - 6 pm
Wed. May 25: 10 am - 5 pm
Thurs. May 26: 9 am - 1:30 pm

BOOTH: 302

FREE EXHIBIT HALL ADMISSION:

Register online and enter code SSYS900 for complimentary entrance to the expo hall!

FDM is the only additive manufacturing technology that produces functional prototypes and end-use parts using the same thermoplastics as injection molding. Its proven technology will help you explore new ideas faster and get to market sooner.

Inside RAPID Sessions:

Date	Hours	Title	Presenter
Tues. May 24	2:20 pm - 2:55 pm	How a Futuristic Environmental Design Idea Became a Reality	Jim Kor, KOR EcoLogic Inc
	3:00 pm - 3:35 pm	Manufacturing 2.0: Additive, Green and Profitable - The American Advantage	Wendy Steele, Tape Wrangler
	3:40 pm - 4:15 pm	7 Ways to Take Advantage of Additive Fabrication	Matthew Hlavin, Thogus Products Co
Wed. May 25	8:00 am - 9:45 am	Keynote: Industry Leaders from the Twin Cities Reflect on Business Surprises and Future Visions	Scott Crump, Stratasys Martin Schuseter, LDI Brad Cleveland, ProtoLAB Craig Crump, CGI
	10:40 am - 11:15 am	Small Company, Big Results - FAST!	Brian Klock, Klock Werks

Lovin' That Hole Wizard Hole Callout

So have you ever had one of those moments where you were like, "Of course I can do that, I've done it a hundred times." Only to find out that you couldn't have ever done that, because it has never been possible in the software? Yeah, happened to me recently.

'What was the question,' you say? Insert a hole callout from an extruded cut and cosmetic thread so that it automatically has the same information that comes with a tapped Hole Wizard hole.

Easy, right? Just a check-box or right-click menu option, no? Well... not so much. I don't know why, but this one gets me every time (had the same question about 6 months ago.) So after a few minutes I look in SolidWorks' Knowledge Base to see if I can find what I might have wrong in my file locations, or maybe the button got moved around in the menus... What!? There's an open Enhancement Request? It's just not in there. (Now is when I start to remember that I've done this exercise before.)

Yep, that's right. Cut extrude a circle and add a cosmetic thread cannot automatically give you the same tap drill diameter, depth and thread length info as the hole wizard hole, because the hole callout needs to use data contained in the hole wizard database. Starting in 2010 the cosmetic threads can automatically give you the thread and pitch (if you've updated to a fresh copy of the holecalloutformat.txt file), but not the rest of the tapped hole info all neat and tidy in one callout like a Hole Wizard hole callout can.

So, what had I been doing those 'hundred times' before? Well, I was doing one of three things. 

1. I might have been entering the hole callout manually in the cosmetic thread PropertyManager. (Maybe I did that once or twice) 
2. I might have been linking multiple dimensions into one note on the drawing, and then hiding the dimensions (I know that's not what I was doing, but you might have) or 
3. I could have used a hole wizard hole (That's what I was doing, I'm sure of it)

Yes, even if you think that all you're going to use is a thru all clearance hole (a cut-extrude of a circle), use the hole wizard to make it. That way, if you decide to add a countersink, counterbore, or tap, all you have to do is edit feature, push the toggle you want, and you're done! Hole callout and all.

CAD Drafter Needed in Lincolnshire, IL

Klein Tools is looking to hire a CAD Drafter to work in their Lincolnshire, IL, location.

Position Title:  CAD Drafter
Location:  Lincolnshire, IL
Degree Required:  Two year degree
Travel Required:  None
Employment Type:  Full-Time

Job Description
Klein Tools has a 154-year history of serving the hand tool needs of professional tradesmen with products that represent a standard of excellence, innovation, technology and quality in our industry.  We are looking for candidates for our CAD Drafter position who want a career working with The Premier Brand of Hand Tools.

The position may be based in our Lincolnshire Corporate Center or in our Manufacturing Facility in Skokie, and is responsible for providing drafting support and developing detailed CAD drawings for components and assemblies for the Product Design Engineers.

Mechanical design using SolidWorks 3D CAD software is required.  Knowledge of basic machine shop practices and processes is a plus.  The ability to draw detailed engineering drawings based on concepts, sketches, or interactions with engineers, knowledge of good drafting practices and standards is critical.  Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office products is needed along with good organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work with and take direction from the engineering staff.  As Associate's degree in the CAD field is a plus.

Klein Tools provides a competitive compensation and benefits package, including 401(k) and profit sharing.  If you have the commitment to succeed and the desire to join and organization recognized as the industry leader, email your cover letter and resume to HRrecruiting@kleintools.com. and include reference CAD DRAFTER in the subject of your email.

EOE/M/F/D/V

News from InspectionXpert

InspectionXpert announces a new service pack, special offer and webinar schedule.

A service pack update for InspectionXpert for SolidWorks, v4.9.3988, is scheduled for June 2011.

Customers who are current on maintenance receive the latest product releases and feature enhancements which can be downloaded from the Customer Portal. For help with accessing the Customer Portal or to renew maintenance on your InspectionXpert Products contact your account manager.

Special Offer - 50% Discount on Network Licensing!

Learn More! - Offer ends June 30, 2011

Case Study

PBC Linear Chooses InspectionXpert for SolidWorks

"Even on a six- or seven-sheet drawing, with a couple of hundred dimensions, with InspectionXpert, at the most it would take us five minutes to create an inspection sheet." - Mike McKee Engineering Technician
Read the Case Study

Webinar Schedule

InspectionXpert for SolidWorks

May 25, 2pm-3pm EDT
June 22, 10am-11am EDT
August 17, 2pm-3pm EDT

InspectionXpert Webinar for Medical Device Companies 

Learn how InspectionXpert can help medical device manufacturers reduce time and costs associated with requlatory requirements in quality inspection processes including  ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.

June 22, 2pm - 3pm

Back by Popular Demand: Additive Manufacturing 101

How the Future of Product Development and Manufacturing is Changing

On Thursday, May 19, Stratasys will be re-airing the Additive Manufacturing 101 webinar. Presented by Jon Cobb, this webinar will explore how additive manufacturing systems such as 3D printers and 3D production systems are changing the future of product development and manufacturing.

Presented By: Jonathan L. Cobb, VP of Global Marketing, Stratasys, Inc.

REGISTER NOW

What You Will Learn

• How additive manufacturing can help designers create better products
• Why additive manufacturing gets products to market faster and cheaper
• How companies like: BMW, GM and Boeing use additive manufacturing
• What’s in store for additive manufacturing in the future

Who Should Attend

• Design Engineers
• Product Designers
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Inventors/Entrepreneurs
• Technology Educators

About Additive Manufacturing Technologies:

Additive manufacturing technologies are also commonly known as "Rapid Prototyping" or "3D Printing" as well as other names. And, although they are still being used by design engineers for concept modeling and prototyping, that’s not all. Manufacturing engineers are now employing these technologies for various applications such as jigs, fixtures, check gauges, and even as a bridge-to-tooling and low-volume end-use parts.

REGISTER NOW

New Case Study from SIMPOEWorks

Learn how Simpoe helped Icon Injection get their new product on the market right the first time.  The case study is reprinted from MoldMaking Technology magazine.

Mold Simulation and The Right Molding Press

Solve High-Tech Device Design/Fill Challenges

Read the Case Study

SIMPOE offers easy to use, easy to learn and affordable software solutions to simulate the plastic injection manufacturing process.

With the growing development of Collaborative Product Development, SIMPOE makes it possible for Product Designers, Mechanical Engineers, Mold Makers, Plastic Manufacturers to work with the same tools, to take into account the manufacturing constraints early in the design cycle, optimize mold, optimize material costs and drastically shorten time to market of new plastic products.

With SIMPOE software solutions, injection simulation is now accessible to everyone.

Visit the SIMPOE website
Visit the SIMPOE blog
Follow SIMPOE on Twitter

FISHER/UNITECH Opens New Office in Pennsylvania

We are thrilled to announce our newest location, our 12th, a full-service sales and training center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  With the acquisition of CADVenture in December 2010, we were granted additional selling geography in western Pennsylvania.  FISHER/UNITECH continues to expand with our new location, located at 2000 Cliff Mine Road, in the Park West Two building, Suite 440, Findlay Township, PA.

We're celebrating with a robust schedule of events throughout May and June.  Companies utilizing 2D technology for product design or customers looking to complement their SolidWorks implementation can take advantage of upcoming hands-on test drives for the following SolidWorks products.

• Simulation Hands-On Test Drive, 5/23/2011, 1-4 pm
• SolidWorks Hands-On Test Drive, 5/25/2011, 1-4 pm
• Data Management Live Lab, 6/1/2011, 10 am-12 pm
• SolidWorks Power Users Clinic, 6/3/2011, 11:30 am - 2 pm
• SolidWorks Hands-On Test Drive, 6/15/2011, 1-4 pm
• Simulation Hands-On Test Drive, 6/16/2011, 1-4 pm

Check our website for more information on any of the above events or to register. 

Our new facility features full training accommodations with the ability to teach all SolidWorks, Simulation, Enterprise PDM and 3DVIA courses locally.  Our customers will also benefit from our newly integrated learning management system, which tests students on course competency.  Upon passing our SolidWorks Applied Technology exam, students will receive a certificate of completion for reporting and tracking.

FISHER/UNITECH welcomes Pattie Breitenbach, our new Business Development Manager serving western PA.  You may contact her at:

Pattie Breitenbach
FISHER/UNITECH
Business Development Manager
800-816-8314, ext. 7638
pbreitenbach@funtech.com

5 Challenges That ALL Design Teams Face

Does your company face these?  A SolidProfessor Webinar Series.

Design teams today are faced with very similar challenges, regardless of what products they make.  In this webinar:

• Find out if you have the same challenges as other design teams
• Discover what others are doing to overcome their challenges
• Learn about tools and strategies for managers that help their team succeed

Register for one of the upcoming webinars, and put resources into the hands of those who need them!

Dates and Times

Thursday, May 19th, 12:00 pm ET/11:00 am CT
Tuesday, May 24th, 3:00 pm ET/2:00 pm CT

Mechanical Project Engineer Position in Sterling Heights, MI

Serapid Inc., located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is looking for a mechanical project engineer.

Serapid specializes in custom machine design and manufacturing.  The company focuses on linear motion for many industries including theatre, nuclear, military and quick die exchange.  The ideal candidate will possess:

• 3-5 years experience with a BS in mechanical engineering or equivalent
• Design motion systems and special machines
• Knowledge of fabrication, machining and other manufacturing processes
• Ability to perform engineering calculations including:
• Motor Horse Power
• Stress and Deflection of Steel
• Torque Analysis of Shafts

Primary responsibilities will be designing custom projects to fit the needs of our customers.  Dealing with sales, doing layout and proposal drawings to increase sales.  Meeting with manufacturing to review released projects and optimizing the build of designs.

Interested candidates please contact:

Kevin Dombrowski
Engineering & Operations Manager
k.dombrowski@serapid.com

Two New Webcast Archives Available

I'm pleased to announce that we have made two new on-demand webcasts available in the Webcast Archive section of our website

Enhancing Manufacturing Instructions with 3DVIA Composer

Creating instructions for manufacturing assembly can be a tedious process.

• Are you taking digital pictures and assembling them in Word?
• What happens if the design changes?
• Are you attempting to use a design tool to create graphical content?
• Do you waste engineer’s time creating graphical content for manufacturing procedures?
• Would you like to move away from paper instructions?

Listen to our informative webcast on how to leverage existing 3D design data to rapidly and effectively create manufacturing assembly instructions. Whether it is creating 2D graphics for existing sheets or creating 3D interactive animation based instructions, 3DVIA Composer can address your needs.

Enhancing Manufacturing Instructions with 3DVIA Composer

SolidWorks for Process and Plant Layouts
This demonstration highlights the capabilities of SolidWorks with respect to medium scale plant and process layout. We will cover:

• 2-D to 3-D
• Facility Layout
• Component design and configuration
• Skid and equipment simplification
• Piping
• Documentation
• Walk-through/Customer Presentation

SolidWorks for Process and Plant Layouts

SolidWorks Contract Help Needed, Cleveland, OH Area

ACO Polymer Products is looking for some contract SolidWorks help for approximately two months.  The SolidWorks candidate would need to have not only basic SolidWorks but advanced part modeling skills for creating "bodies" for the equivalent of simple molds for the parts being created.  This is not intensive mold work, but more the understanding of creating bodies and manipulating.

This is a "contract" position and is available immediately. 

If interested, please send an email to:

Jim McConnell
Product Development Supervisor
ACO Polymer Products
jmcconne@aco-online.com 

Please include salary requirements and availability.  Consideration of remote vs. on-site work will be given to the right candidate.

Development Engineer/Sourcing Specialist Needed in Bryan, OH

The Ohio Art Company has another position they need to fill, details appear below.

Development Engineer/Sourcing Specialist
An opportunity for a highly motivated team-orientated engineer to support new product design and development, product scheduling, sourcing, and related manufacturing projects.  Qualified candidates should possess the ability to build a great rapport with overseas vendors and demonstrate cost reduction initiatives.  International travel is essential.  Requirements include:  BSME, 3-5 years experience in toy or consumer design.  Electronics, injection molding, plastics and packaging design experience and a working knowledge of SolidWorks and AutoCAD preferred. 

Job Skill Requirements:
BSME with 3-5 years experience preferred
SolidWorks, AutoCAD and 3D modeling software experience is desired.  Working knowledge of Illustrator a plus as well as toy and consumer product goods experience preferred.  Proficiency must be displayed in solid modeling.  Some experience in plastic part design.

Good writing and speaking skills are necessary.
Interface with overseas vendors.
Intimate knowledge of manufacturing process.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Work with the Executive Management Committee and the CEO to establish and maintain desired objectives
• Works with the Management Representative to see that assignments are completed as desired
• Comply with Corporate Policy and Procedures and all safety standards
• Other related duties as assigned
• Oversee sourcing of manufacturers and product components
• Track and control component inventory at overseas vendors
• Demonstrate cost reduction initiatives
• Management of product development projects
• Management of new product development from sign-off to manufacturing approval which includes, but is not limited to, product design for manufacturing, release of tooling, and project coordination and correspondence with suppliers.

Interested candidates should send a resume with cover letter to Manager, Human Resources, The Ohio Art Company, One Toy Street, PO Box 111, Bryan, OH  43506. 

Electronic submissions accepted at:  careers@ohioart.com.

Product Design Engineer Position Open in Bryan, OH

The Ohio Art Company is looking to hire a Product Design Engineer, details appear below.

Product Design Engineer
An opportunity for a highly motivated team-orientated Mechanical Engineer to support new product and design development, product scheduling and project management.  Requirements include:  BSME, 3-5 years experience preferred, excellent communication skills and international travel required.  Electronics, injection molding, plastics and packaging design, proficient in SolidWorks and AutoCAD.  Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator a plus, toy and consumer product goods experience preferred. 

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Design of new products for manufacturing, safety and quality while remaining within budget requirements
• Development of product design drawings and 3D models as assigned
• Redesign of existing products to address safety, quality or consumer issues
• Responsibility for new product development from sign-off to manufacturing as assigned
• Support for new product development prior to sign-off
• Provide support to Plant Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Toy Designers
• Oversight and monitoring of work done by overseas suppliers with travel to Asia
• Continuous improvement on existing products
• Comply with corporate policy and procedures and all safety standards
• Meet the requirements and objectives of the ISO 9001 quality system
• Contribute to cost reduction objectives
• Product scheduling and project management
• Other related duties as assigned

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to:  Manager, Human Resources, The Ohio Art Company, One Toy Street, PO Box 111, Bryan, OH  43506. 

Electronic resume submissions can be sent to:  careers@ohioart.com.

Ecoworks for Every Tank

Now you can use Ecoworks Cleaning Agent with more cleaning systems and for all FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) soluble support materials, including SR-10, SR-20 and SR-30. Packaged in pre-measured dissolvable packets, Ecoworks is simple and safe to use. You can rest easy knowing you are using an eco-friendly detergent from they way it's delivered in a recyclable cardboard box, to the way it's disposed of - right down the drain. With a pH level of less than 10, Ecoworks is the most environmentally friendly 3D printing support removal cleaning agent available from Stratasys.

For more information on 3D Printing, please contact:

Michigan/Indiana:  Bryant Goudelock at bgoudelock@funtech.com
Illinois/Wisconsin:  Rodger Reaume at rreaume@funtech.com
Missouri/Kansas:  Bill Reitter at breitter@funtech.com
Ohio/Kentucky:  Tom Avery at tavery@funtech.com

Greater Evansville Area SolidWorks User Group

You're invited to attend the "Greater Evansville Area SolidWorks User Group Meeting" also known as GEASWUG - in Evansville, Indiana, on:

Date:  June 2nd, 2011
Time:  5:30 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm

University of Evansville
Koch Building Rm #131
1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN  47714

Food will be available whenever you arrive, granted you RSVP prior to the event.

Agenda

• 5:00 pm:  Doors open
• 5:30 pm - 5:45 pm:  Opening remarks
• 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm:  Presentation, Mark Schneider of SolidWorks Corporation, on "Weldments"
• 6:45 pm - 7:00 pm:  Question and Answer Session
• 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm:  Giveaways, Closing Remarks

Everyone is welcome to stay and network until 8 pm.  

Please RSVP to Scott Baugh at scottbaugh@berryplastics.com, if you would like to attend the food and networking portion.  If you have any questions regarding SolidWorks, come prepared to ask them!  Mark Schneider will be on hand to help.

Tell your friends and bring a colleague, you won't want to miss the first GEASWUG meeting this year.

Soaring to New Heights with FDM

When traditional prototype production methods couldn't keep up with the demanding requirements of its customers like STIHL power tools and Skoda Auto a.s., Evektor s.r.o. turned to Fortus 3D Production Systems. With Fortus they are soaring past prototyping deadlines, reducing costs, and producing parts with thermoplastics right for the aerospace industry.

Read the entire story

For more information on 3D Printing, please contact:

Michigan/Indiana:  Bryant Goudelock at bgoudelock@funtech.com
Illinois/Wisconsin:  Rodger Reaume at rreaume@funtech.com
Missouri/Kansas:  Bill Reitter at breitter@funtech.com
Ohio/Kentucky:  Tom Avery at tavery@funtech.com

Racing to Victory with 3D Printing

Mercedes-Benz USA recently notified RENNtech, an authority on luxury automobile performance tuning solutions, that they had been chosen to compete in the Mercedes-Benz GLK Tuner Challenge. The challenge included taking a pre-production vehicle, designing and producing an off-road racer according to a theme, in a nearly impossible amount of time - just 35 days.

See the modified vehicle and see who won the challenge

For more information on 3D Printing, please contact:

Michigan/Indiana:  Bryant Goudelock at bgoudelock@funtech.com
Illinois/Wisconsin:  Rodger Reaume at rreaume@funtech.com
Missouri/Kansas:  Bill Reitter at breitter@funtech.com
Ohio/Kentucky:  Tom Avery at tavery@funtech.com

NEOSWUG Cookout Update

Details about the May 16th Northeast Ohio SolidWorks User Group cookout have been posted to the website:  http://neoswug.wordpress.com/.

The group is still in need of a couple of grill masters.  If you can't be there by 4:30, just get there when you can and jump in.  Frisbees and other warm weather toys are welcome (within the rules of the park!)

This will be the group's last meeting until September.

Check out Richard Doyle's blog post.

Employment Opportunities in Kansas

Great Western Manufacturing is looking for someone to work a nine-month temporary position in the engineering department.  The project will be documenting their existing wood sieve product line in SolidWorks.  This will require interfacing with the engineering departments as well as the manufacturing personnel.  Commanding knowledge of Configurations and Enterprise PDM (EPDM) a bonus.  Work is full-time at the company's facility in Leavenworth, KS.

If interested please contact Richard Pitts at richard.pitts@gwmfg.com.

---

Sioux Chief is in the process of getting products drawn/made available through Masterspec/BIM.  If anyone can consult, draw or otherwise help with a project like this, please contact Dominic Ismert via email at  dominic.ismert@siouxchief.com.

Win an iPAD + AR.Drone

 

Please register for a SolidWorks® Customer Portal account by May 22, if you want to participate in our contest*. The Customer Portal provides you with tremendous value, and gives you 24/7 online access to vital information and resources, including:

• The latest versions of SolidWorks software and Service Pack updates
• The Knowledge Base - a wide range of technical documents and resources
• A complete view of SRs (Service Requests) and SPRs (bugs)
• Enhancement request privileges to help impact future releases
• The ability to participate in a wide range of discussion forums
• Registration of software licenses
• The ability to review license and Subscription Service information
• The capability to edit your Customer Profile

When you have registered for a Customer Portal account, you will also become eligible to participate in our annual customer survey, giving you a voice to provide valuable feedback. We hope that you will be willing to help us better understand your perception of our products and services, as it is very important for us to make sure that we always deliver the best possible service to you.

Register here

3DVIA Composer Users - Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 Notice

This notice is for those users who export CGM files for use in Microsoft Office Word 2007. There have been reported cases where the exported CGM files cannot be opened in Microsoft Word 2007. When the insert is attempted, you get a message, "An error occurred while importing this file...".

This is NOT a 3DVIA Composer export issue.

Microsoft made some updates that affect Microsoft Office Word 2007 Service Pack 2 that are causing the issue. As near as I can determine, the updates from around April 13, 2011 are the cause.

I have tested the hotfix : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2496969
and it does correct the issue.

IMPORTANT - Please read all of the notes Microsoft has about this hotfix before YOU decide to use it.

Setting up Models for Automation

Certain types of models are better suited to design automation than others. When setting up models for automation, consider how they fit into an assembly and how the parts might change when automated.

Example 1

This illustration shows a simple support that uses planes.

Several planes have been created so that the sketches and features can be referenced to them (coincident, up to surface, etc.) This allows the dimension for the plane to be changed and the extrusion extended with it. When placed in an assembly, other components can be mated to this plane so that they move with consideration to the parts altered.

Using a coincident mate with the face could cause problems with more complex parts.

Example 2

This fitting also uses planes. If DriveWorksXpress is suppressing or unsuppressing the flange feature, the face of the flange face used in the mate would no longer be there.

Planes have little effect on the part or assembly file size but do increase the stability of the part during part configuration. Stability becomes increasingly important as part complexity increases. This principle also applies to axes, although not ‘temporary axes’, which disappear if the geometry disappears.