More ways to keep track of updates from SolidWorks World 2011

Yesterday, I mentioned the Flickr group for SolidWorks World 2011.   There are actually many media outlets that are available to keep us informed about the conference (is it really just a few days away?).

  • DS SolidWorks Blog – SolidWorks World 2011 topics
  • SolidWorks blogosphere (many diverse and independent perspectives)
  • Professional press online magazines and blogs (no organized list is available, but here’s some good places to start: WorldCAD Access and Deelip.com)
  • Follow DS SolidWorks on Twitter, follow SolidWorks World 2011 account on Twitter, and follow me on Twitter
  • SolidWorks World 2011 hashtag #SWW11 on Twitter
  • SolidWorks World 2011 Flickr group
  • DS SolidWorks on YouTube channel
  • Facebook updates are also likely available if you’ve friended of any of the SolidWorks bloggers, though this resource may be a redundant to Twitter.
  • There is also the SolidWorks World iPhone App (sorry, no Android app this year but “maybe” next year):
     1) You must be operating on the iOS 4.2 If you need to upgrade your iOS version, simply
    plug your phone into iTunes to update.
    2) Visit the App Store from your iPhone or iPad
    2) Search for “SolidWorks World”
    3) Click “Free” and next Click “Install”
    4) Have instant access to important conference information at your finger tips!

Photos of SolidWorks World 2011

There is a lot of media outlets for keeinpg updated during SolidWorks World.  One that is particularly interesting is the Flickr group.  There are no photos posted just yet (save for the header image), but as the conference gets underway, this group will fill up with images of SolidWorks World 2011.  I recommend joining the SolidWorks World 2011 Flickr group and visiting often during the conference to see the latest photos.

InspectionXpert for SolidWorks achieves Gold Partner status

Extensible CAD Technologies LLC recently declared that InspectionXpert® for SolidWorks has just achieved Certified Gold Partner status with DS SolidWorks Corp.  They state,

With this certification awarded on January 7th, InspectionXpert for SolidWorks becomes the first Certified Gold Partner application for automating quality inspection documentation that is fully integrated into SolidWorks® software.

InspectionXpert enables users to access inspection dimensions directly from their SolidWorks drawings, create ballooned inspection drawings, and export to an inspection report form.  The technology should help users reduce manual processes, reduce errors, and save the time it takes to create inspection documentation for first article, in-process, and final inspections.

InspectionXpert for SolidWorks 2011 interface

As noted, Extensible CAD Technologies will be demonstrating InspectionXpert SolidWorks World 2011.  As with many other products being shown next week, I’ll try to get a chance to check out their demonstration.

Subtractive rapid prototyping to be demonstrated at SolidWorks World 2011

Roland and MecSoft at SolidWorks World 2011

According to a recent announcement, Roland DGA Corp. and MecSoft Corp. are teaming up at SolidWorks World 2011 to demonstrate a new design-to-part workflow for Subtractive Rapid Prototyping (SRP) technology that “[offers] several advantages over 3D printers.”  This workflow combines VisualMILL for SolidWorks CAM software from MecSoft with Roland MDX milling machines that provides a “powerful solution for producing parts and prototypes from a wide range of non-proprietary materials including aluminum, ABS, Acetal, Nylon, acrylic, polycarbonate, wood, plaster and polystyrene.”  I’m interested.  What will they show at their demonstration?  Rapid prototyping has become very important in recent years as companies of all types are seeking to find ways to bring their products to market quickly in order to remain competitive.

As I’ve noted over the years, there are not many CAM applications that run within SolidWorks.  VisualMILL for SolidWorks is fully integrated inside SolidWorks as a Gold Partner.  This allows Roland MDX users to process their parts in a familiar design environment.  This also means that programming can be done inside of SolidWorks instead of going through an error prone file conversion process.

I’m not necessarily sold on this idea yet.  I’ve not personally seen effective use of alternatives to 3D printers.  But it is interesting to see an integration between a rapid prototyping technology with a CAM package.  I’ll try to check out their demonstration at SolidWorks World 2011 next week and provide additional details here as appropriate.

My SolidWorks World 2011 presentation

I’ve first attended SolidWorks World in 2008 in San Diego, CA as a customer.  At SolidWorks World 2009 and 2010, I attended as a member of the Press.  In 2010, I participated on the panel in the Stump the Chumps II breakout session.  My short debut as a co-presenter was less than glorious but not terribly horrible.

At SolidWorks World 2011 in San Antonio, TX, I will be presenting my first breakout session, Establishing CAD standards within SolidWorks environment.  The session will be on Monday 24 at 2:45PM (local time), scheduled in room 202 of the convention center.  (All sessions may be viewed at the SolidWorks World 2011 website.)  My breakout session is one hour long and will discuss the general areas that require documentation which are essential for establishing company CAD standards within an engineering environment that utilizes SolidWorks.

Establish CAD Standards within SolidWorks environment

This session will cover as much as I can in one hour.  There will be a discussion on procedure writing techniques, important considerations when establishing standards, and the types of documents that should be written.  I will offer some specific advice, but the breakout session will focus on the big picture by providing a general road map for creating and maintaining your own CAD standards.

Monday is a busy day for many attendees.  Even still, I’m hopefully that many will join me for my breakout session.

New head at SolidWorks Corp

Bertrand SicotToday, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp accounced that executive vice president of sales, Bertrand Sicot, is now the new CEO.  Former CEO, Jeff Ray, was promoted into a leadership role at Dassault Systèmes based in Vélizy, France.  Sicot started his career at DS SolidWorks in 1997 as the regional sales manager for Western Europe and Scandinavia. SolidWorks Corp stated that ” Sicot has consistently improved worldwide distribution performance, revenue, profit, and global market share.”

Ray is moving to DS corporate HQ in France as Executive Vice President of Geographic Operations and “will oversee the company’s 12 geographies to enable local DS teams to better address the specific local challenges facing customers and partners.”

Sicot brings his own brand of excitement and interest.  In his first public message as CEO, he declares, “one of the first things I ever designed and built at the age of 13—a remote-control boat with full wood hull and electric drive—still works.”  He also talks about the excitement he has for “technology [SolidWorks is] building with our next-generation platform” and for the SolidWorks company and its customers.

Both Sicot and Ray will attend at SolidWorks World 2011.