We're heading into September with an action-packed fall. Come see us at the upcoming fall tradeshows in Worcester MA, Manchester NH and Westborough MA. We love to meet our current and future customers. Contact us for free passes to the shows.
CAP plans 4 great events in Maine! We'll be at the Lewiston Ramada Inn and Conference Center (off 95). We'd love to see you at these upcoming events.
In this issue of KAP’s Corner, we explore the ins and outs of Envelope behavior. This often overlooked feature in SolidWorks provides a wealth of functionality when dealing with assemblies. You won't want to miss this issue from our inhouse technical expert!
SolidWorks News
SolidWorks revenue up
Bernard Charlès, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Systèmes, commented, "The second quarter was a period of very solid performance for Dassault Systèmes with revenue growth of 18% in U.S. dollars. ...The Americas had a phenomenal quarter, with sales up 41% in constant currencies... SolidWorks continued to deliver strong results on excellent execution as well as very positive secular dynamics within its market segment. Based upon our second quarter performance and our more favorable outlook for the second half of this year we are raising our full year objectives for revenue and earnings growth." Read more...
Kubotek’s CAD Interoperability Survey
This survey yields some interesting results. Key findings include:
Over 80% re-use data and model components from a previous model
Only 30% receive CAD models from co-workers in their preferred tool’s format.
Only 6% always received models from other companies in their preferred tool’s format.
77% said they receive <50% of their external CAD models in their preferred format.
46% need to use 3 or more different CAD tools per month. Survey details
Note: With over 25 translators shipped as standard, SolidWorks is the best way to stay interoperable in 3D.
Events and Seminars
Upcoming Tradeshows
Mark your calendar. The fall is rapidly shaping up to be a busy one. We will be at the following industry events. Stop by our booth and see the latest on SolidWorks 3D CAD software and experience live the benefits of rapid prototyping with the Dimension 3D printer.
To learn more about how SolidWorks software can improve revenues and decrease costs, attend one of our free seminars. Each seminar will include a detailed discussion of the benefits of 3D solid modelling, supported by SolidWorks case studies and software demonstrations. Attendees will gain an excellent understanding of the extensive functional capability of SolidWorks, its ability to integrate with PDM and FEA partner products, and its importance as a productivity tool. CAP will present a total solution: from initial product development to data management for documentation and revision control, stress analysis on new designs, and the Dimension 3D printer for creating rapid prototypes.
CAP will present a total solution for the medical products design community: from initial product development to data management for FDA documentation and revision control, stress analysis on new designs, and the Dimension 3D printer for creating rapid prototypes.
If you want to:
Reduce your product design cycle
Eliminate errors early on with computer analysis
Create prototype parts straight from your CAD model
Manage your data to fulfill government requirements
The next NVTSWUG meeting will be Tues. Sept. 27th at 6:00pm at the Waterbury Best Western. The meeting presentation will focus on sheet metal design and will be given by Erin Lonergan of Country Home Products. Contact Rob Rodriguez for more information.
Rapid Prototyping Road Show
Interested in 3D printing for form, fit and function? Our summer roadshow continues to gain momentum..Attend one of our Dimension 3D printer open houses. Click here for upcoming dates.
Training
Upcoming classes
Check here for our schedule of upcoming classes. Another quote from a student at our SolidfWorks Essentials training class last month: " I have taken a lot of CAD training over the years. The instructor was one of the best I have come across. His knowledge of the software combined with an occasional light hearted remark helped students that might otherwise be intimidated with the transition to 3D."
We've recently added several classes that are filling quickly:
Terry Wohlers, industry consultant, has ranked the Dimension 3D printer #1 in sales worldwide. You can view the results of the independent analysis ranking the the Dimension the industry standard for the 3D printing market.
Rapid Prototyping Roadshows
CAP is continuing to take the Dimension 3D printer on the road! Make your reservation early to experience the power of rapid prototyping and see how easy it is to create functional models in your office environment with this proven system. Join us at this live demo for a fast-paced and fun event. Come see and touch the many functional parts, including our legendary jet fighter that we created at CAP. View the schedule of events in your area.
Dimension Q&A
What is the material cost for the ABS plastic?
The short answer is that the material for the Dimension costs $250 per cartridge of 53.6 cubic inches, or $4.44 per cubic inch.
The real answer is a little more complex because we have a "sparse" mode that prints parts with a solid outer shell but honeycomb inside, so that it might only use 30% as much material as if it were solid. There is relatively little waste.
Some other 3D Printers claim lower material costs - but waste as much as they build. Check out the cost figures carefully when evaluating the different 3D printer models.
I have a sample part that we create at our facility. Can you tell me what it would cost to build on the Dimension?
CAP would be glad to evaluate your parts. Just send us your test files and we can tell you exactly how much they will cost. The software that comes with the Dimension enables us (and our customers) to pre process the files and determine the cost and time to build.
In general, the delivered cost of the models is 10-30% of what SLA job shops charge, but the Dimension parts are stronger, often more accurate, non-hygroscopic, and dimensionally stable. How much it is worth to your business to have the parts faster varies amongst our customers.
How expensive is it to purchase a Dimension 3D printer?
The machines can be purchased under a zero percent extended financing program through Stratasys. The monthly cost would be between $550 and $1,000 per month, plus any material used. The Dimension lease program makes the system affordable while offering flexibility through the financing program. Contact your CAP salesrep today for more details.
Hot Tech Tips KAP's Corner - Thinking Inside the Envelope
Creating envelope components in SolidWorks can be one of the most powerful tools in your repertoire when working with assemblies. KAP invites you to expand your thinking about the use of envelopes any time you need hard geometry to design or mate against, but want the geometry treated as “phantom”.
This discussion examines the way envelope components actually behave in an assembly. We show you how to maximize their use to build smarter, more robust assemblies, using interesting cases from the real world.
SolidWorks Tech Tip: Splitting a BOM across sheets
Can you split a Bill of Materials across sheets in a SolidWorks drawing? We experimented, and came up with a recipe. This trick can be accomplished in either SolidWorks-native BOMs or Excel-based BOMs.
Both types:
1. Insert a BOM tied to a drawing view.
2. Add a second sheet.
3. Copy/Paste the drawing view to the second sheet.
4. Insert a second BOM, tied to copied drawing view.
SolidWorks BOM:
5. Split the BOM on each sheet.
6. On Sheet 1, delete* the second half.
7. On Sheet 2, delete* the first half.
*Delete magically just hides these contents, which you can confirm in "BOM Contents".
Excel BOM:
5. Edit the BOM on the first sheet and hide the second half of the rows.
6. Edit the BOM on the second sheet and hide the first half of the rows.
Feedback
At Computer-Aided Products, we empower our customers to make more money with their CAD design environment. We are a value-added reseller (VAR) for SolidWorks and the Stratasys Dimension 3D printer. We specialize in transitioning designers from a 2D environment to a 3D solid CAD world, providing the training and service you need to get up to speed quickly. Our partnership with the best CAD solutions in the industry, along with our years of expertise and practical experience, provide a solid foundation for your CAD future.
Computer-Aided Products, Inc.
Serving all of New England with offices in Manchester NH, Peabody MA and Westborough MA
(800) 424-2255
www.capinc.com
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