7 Observations From Solidworks World

I got back from SolidWorks World a couple of weeks ago, which also came close to coinciding with the lunar New Year.  In China, it marks the start of the Year of the Wood Horse.   For me, it’s a second opportunity to make new resolutions.  It’s almost like a final draft for my initial resolutions.   As such, SWW couldn’t have come at a better time.  It was inspiring to see the different projects that everyone was working on, as well as cool new products/tools.  The energy level at SWW was high- to me it seemed like it was the “Burning Man Event” for inventors. 

There were a few things that really caught my eye. 

(1) ExactFlat–   ExactFlat can flatten complex surfaces (turning finished parts into cut patterns) within SolidWorks.  This affects anyone who makes products that use composites, soft goods or fabrics- for example: upholstery, fiberglass boats, hot-air balloons, backpacks, composite bikes… It will also add seams, nest flat patterns and do costing.  FINALLY- SolidWorks can play in this product world (3D product made from 2D materials).    ‎

(2) BOXX Technologies – It’s rare to have the opportunity to test a slew of computers from a variety of vendors.  I went to all the computer vendors at SWW and tested a part on each of their systems.  BOXX outperformed them all.  Significantly.  It was more than 2x faster than the next fastest computer.  What SnapOn Tools is to car mechanics, BOXX is for SolidWorks Users- providing the highest-end best-performing tools-of-the-trade.   BOXX also appeared to have more competent people at their booth and could proficiently answer my questions.  

(3) mcor- Some people like mcor because it’s green.  Some people like mcor because it’s the “David” going against the “Goliaths” in the 3D printer industry.  Some people like mcor because it’s disrupting the industry.  I like mcor because it produces inexpensive, lightweight parts with great mechanical properties in full color.  I see this becoming a favorite among the “Maker Shops” popping up around the country.  I also see their system EASILY going into new specialized materials (like composites). 

(4) DriveWorks-  DriveWorks has added a few cool new features to their gold-partner award-winning SolidWorks add-in, but I don’t think that’s what’s going to make DriveWorks one of the top plug-ins this year.  With the gains in 3D-printing and customization becoming more-and-more mainstream, DriveWorks’ relevance has become significantly more substantial.  Imagine being able to ordering your own custom action figure on-line… DriveWorks makes it possible, by handling the web-form creation, the model adjustment, the costing, the invoicing, sending an STL file to the 3D-printer and all the other associated paperwork AUTOMATICLY.   DriveWorks is a smart “Igor” that handles all the repetitive tasks, allowing the “mad scientists” time to create more products.  

(5) Amada-  Many 3D printers are suggesting that they can be used for manufacturing.  This is the only manufacturing machine that is suggesting that it can be used for prototyping.  Why bother with a prototype when you can go to an “as-manufactured” sheet-metal part?  Amada makes the best metal fab machinery on the market. 

(6) Power Surfacing by IntegrityWare-  Easy “Class A” surface modelling that allows handling of Sub-D models or NURBS bodies (from a variety of programs).  If you don’t know what those are but want to make organic surfaces, this is the program for you.   

(7) Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project-  Geoff Bodine spoke with his lead engineer about the development of the 2014 US Olympic bobsled.  Nothing is cooler than a patriotic North Carolina Nascar driver who applies his learnings to a sport that we use to be crushed in, and now are well-positioned for the gold in the 2014 winter Olympics. 

So along with my resolution to work-out more, I’m going to try and work on a project once a month using one of the tool above.  I realize that the bobsled isn’t a tool… I’m not sure how that will work in yet.

Let me know if you have any good resolutions.