The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented a standard practice called MIL-STD-31000, that requires proper technical documentation to build, repair and maintain critical tools and equipment. I spoke with Rich Eckenrode, president of RECON Services Incorporated, Ed Miller, senior client executive, Federal at SolidWorks, and Yannick Chaigneau, senior... Continue reading

What do Buzz Lightyear, Boba Fett and The Rocketeer all have in common? All three are fictional characters that sport jetpacks and turn into high-flying stars. The characters also helped us dream of a day when mankind can fly without the confines of an airplane or helicopter –- a dream... Continue reading

Each year, SolidWorks fans from across the globe convene in one place, for one event – SolidWorks World. In addition to the networking and learning about interesting things their peers are doing with the software, attendees look forward to the swag (stuff we all get), usually a new SolidWorks backpack.... Continue reading

Green vehicles were all the rage in 2011, with a heavy focus on reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers are trying hard to be green at every turn – and this doesn’t end when they hit the road. Although that trend won’t be going away any time soon,... Continue reading

I first learned about Jay Kinsinger, professor of engineering at Cedarville University, from the school's VAR, 3D Vision. They told me about how in addition to pushing design to its limits using the tools at hand with his students' projects, he also designs steel-frame bikes on his own time. So... Continue reading

I’ve been thinking about developing a Holiday Gift Guide since the first day I started at SolidWorks. While I’m impressed by all of the products our customers design, I’m most intrigued by the ones that I may have actually purchased for my family. Test it yourself. Scroll through our case... Continue reading

While drafting today’s press release, we spent time speaking with X-Finger inventor Dan Didrick and learned more about how he got his start helping people. Believe it or not, it was trying to scare the pants off of people. As a child, he loved using materials from his father’s dentist... Continue reading

I wanted to provide some more information on one of the customers profiled in the press release we issued on 3DVIA Composer V6R2011x. Nebraska-based Allmand Brothers Inc. might not be a household name, like the similar sounding band, but the products they make are familiar to all of us. Allmand... Continue reading

It is teacher appreciation week and a time to reflect on the teachers that have made a difference in so many lives – including my own. First I have to thank my 7th grade math teacher, Sister Mary, who was the best math teacher I ever had. Sister Mary was... Continue reading

The Swiss watchmaker, Franck Muller, has established its reputation as a “watchmaking genius” by creating some of the world’s most complicated and sought-after timepieces. The company continues to elevate the state-of-the-art in watchmaking by designing each new model with increasing levels of complexity. For example, its Aeternitas Mega 4 Grande... Continue reading

If you’re a dedicated cyclist, you’re familiar with Cane Creek Cycling Components, famous for its headsets. If you are not, like me, you have no idea where to find the headset on your bike. So I did some research. According to Wikipedia, it’s the “set of components on a bicycle... Continue reading