Great story about 3D Printed prosthetics to provide independence

There’s a great story this month about how a former teaching is creating 3D printed prosthetics for people without limbs in order to provide them with greater independence.  The angle here is this appropriate quote:

“I only needed a desktop, computer aided design (CAD) software called Solidworks and a 3D printer,” explained Sujana

In addition to this awesome use SOLIDWORKS and 3D printing, a great new enhancement in SOLIDWORKS 2015 is the unique ability to 3D print directly to 3D printers using either 3MF or AMF formats on Windows 8.1 systems.  Though the process is more complex than printing to a traditional paper (2D) printer, it is similar in that you no longer have to create intermediate files and switch applications.

Found a gem about David Copperfield

In an interview earlier this year, David Copperfield apparently mentions SolidWorks eDrawings iPad app.  His comment doesn’t appear in the released edit of the interview video, but it is mentioned in the body of the article about the interview:  David Copperfield is looking to tech for new tricks.  His interview was at the CES 2015 and also his museum.  In the interview, he talks about modern interaction with his fans and how he utilizes social media to add depth to and improve his shows.

David Copperfield is looking to tech for new tricks

North Alabama SolidWorks User Group

After my great Nashville visit, I headed on down to Huntsville, AL last week.  I was able to meet with a lot of SOLIDWORKS customers and users.  I presented at the April 2015 meeting of the North Alabama SolidWorks User Group (NASWUG) about the topic of Model Based Definition (MBD), how to apply it within SOLIDWORKS.  I also demonstrated the new SOLIDWORKS MBD product which streamlines SOLIDWORKS for MBD processes and provides 3D PDF output for non-CAD consumption for the purpose of contributing to Technical Data Packages (TDP).


 

There was a lot of great questions by user group meeting attendees about implementation Model Based Definition, the standards that support Model Based Definition (such as MIL-STD-31000), and Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI) solutions available in SOLIDWORKS, such as DimXpert.

Matthew Lorono speaking at NASWUG

I’m glad I had the opportunity to visit Nashville and Huntsville, along with many SOLIDWORKS customers in these areas.  I learned a lot, and I also hope I provided a lot of new information to those interested in MBD and SOLIDWORKS in general.

Nashville SolidWorks User Group meeting

I made my first trip to Nashville, TN this past week!  Thank you to the Nashville SolidWorks User Group (NSWG) for hosting me.   While in town, I did have a couple hours of free time to check out the Grand Ole Opry Convention Center.


Grand Ole Opry Convention Center

I was in town visiting several SOLIDWORKS customers and meeting up with local users.  On Monday evening, I presented at the April NSWG meeting.


My presentation gave a general overview about Model Based Definition, how to apply it within SOLIDWORKS today.  My presentation also covered the new SOLIDWORKS MBD product that will streamline MBD processes within SOLIDWORKS and provide an output in the form of a 3D PDF for non-CAD consumption.  Attendees asked a lot of great questions about Model Based Definition and Geometry Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T and the industry adoption thereof).  Adoption of MBD is being driving the release of the MIL-STD-31000 standard and the desire by industry to reduce cost of product definition, revisions and design communication.

 

Socially speaking or speeches made social

SolidWorks World 2015SOLIDWORKS World 2015 isn’t just for Phoenix, AZ.  It’s really for the World!  The General Sessions of SOLIDWORKS World 2015 will be live streamed this year.  Even if you aren’t able to make it to Arizona next week, you can be a part of the action via the live streaming.   As you know, the keynote speakers for each day were announced earlier this year.  General Sessions are 8:30 to 10AM each day (local Arizona time).

Registration for each day is required, but it is free and you can watch it from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Bonus videos are already available.

 

 

Pictures and Video at SOLIDWORKS World 2015 General Session

SolidWorks World 2015It’s fun to take photos and video during the SOLIDWORKS World General Sessions, particularly if your favorite keynote speaker is doing something really awesome on stage or robots are flying over the audience.  There was a rule that attendees are not allowed to take video (and sometimes photos) of General Sessions.  Something is different this year.

Clipart of CameraThis year’s General Sessions will be even greater social media events than in years past.  This is really saying something since past General Sessions have already been powerful social media events.  (In the early days of Twitter, the SOLIDWORKS World hashtag #SWW09 trended.)  For starters, taking and sharing photos and video via social media will not only be officially allowed, it is going to be encouraged.

What does this mean for attendees of SOLIDWORKS World 2015, as well as those who could not attend this year?  What other ways will social media be supported? More information will be forthcoming from official sources soon.