SolidWorks Named Winner in First SME CAD Challenge
8 October 1998
SolidWorks Named Winner in First SME CAD Challenge
Five Leading CAD Vendors show off their software
at Computer Technology Solutions '98
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 7 -- SolidWorks Corporation has been
awarded the first place trophy for winning The CAD Challenge competition, held
at Computer Technology Solutions '98 (formerly AUTOFACT) on Sept. 30 in
Detroit, Mich., sponsored and managed by the Society of Manufacturing
Engineers (SME).
SolidWorks was also voted best overall by the audience among four other
solid modeling vendors. Ranking were based on sketching ability; detailing
and developing 3D models; handling design changes; and rendering. The team
from Unigraphics Solutions - Solid Edge was credited with having the fastest
completion time in the design challenge, finishing all required elements in
1:34. SolidWorks completed the tasks in 1:35.
"The competition created an exciting and dynamic environment to evaluate
the leading CAD packages available today," said Jim Slaughter, associate
director of Expositions. "By using a real-world design problem, with multiple
changes introduced during the competition, end-users were able to witness the
full functionality of each product. We are pleased to recognize SolidWorks
Corporation as the winner of The CAD Challenge."
Reality Check: The CAD Challenge was a component of the Computer
Technology Solutions Conference, the world's leading venue for the discussion
and application of advanced technologies. The competition allowed end-users
to witness a live, objective review of several major mechanical design/solid
modeler vendors. It also provided vendors a level, objective forum to show
off their software in a unique side-by-side comparison. The competition,
organized by Jeffrey Rowe, president, Cairowest Group L.L.C., began with the
introduction of the design problem. Rowe later introduced a change in the
design, which featured multiple components of an automotive rearview side
mirror - provided courtesy of the Donnelly Corporation of Holland, Mich.
Other CAD Challenge participants with their respective software packages
included: Ashlar/CADTRON, Vellum Solids; Baystate Technologies, CADKEY; SDRC,
I-DEAS and Artisan series; and Unigraphics Solutions, Solid Edge. All
engineering workstations were provided by Intergraph Computer Systems,
Hunstville, Ala. Microsoft Corporation provided operating system software.
Officials for the competition included Dale Batko, U.S. correspondent, CAD
User Magazine; Karen Dalton, editor, CAD Systems of Canada; Laurie Peach,
associate editor, Design News; Norbert Rech, editor, CAD/CAM Report of
Germany; and Ken Verspirille, analyst, D.H. Brown.
Held September 28-October 1, Computer Technology Solutions '98 marked its
21st year as the leading industry event focusing on the changing role of
computer-based technologies in the manufacturing enterprise. In addition to
more than 240 sessions, the Conference included tutorials, case studies and
plant tours, and featured technology such as enterprise resource planning;
engineering document management and product data management; computer-aided
design, manufacturing and engineering; Internet/Intranet/Extranet; simulation;
rapid prototyping; virtual reality; digital mockup and analysis; and
enterprise infrastructure issues.
The Exposition featured 250 companies occupying some 80,000 net square
feet of floor space. Ten thousand attendees experienced value-added events
like free Hands-On Training; a high-profile Analyst/IT User Panel; Technology
Demonstrations and executive level keynotes.
Computer Technology Solutions '99 will co-locate with SME's Detroit
Advanced Productivity Exposition (APEX), the Midwest's largest machine tool
and manufacturing event in 1999, from Sept. 14-16, 1999 at Detroit's Cobo
Convention Center. The co-location will offer North America's most complete
and interactive "art-to-part" manufacturing forum in 1999, to serve as the
technology resource for manufacturers. For more information, contact SME
Customer Service, One SME Drive, P.O. Box 930, Dearborn, Mich., USA, 48121; by
phone at 800-733-4763 (USA only) or 313-271-1500, M-F, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., ET; by
fax at 313-271-2861; or browse - http://www.ctsme.org.
SME, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., U.S.A., is an international
professional society dedicated to serving its members and the manufacturing
community through the advancement of professionalism, knowledge, and learning.
Founded in 1932, SME has nearly 65,000 members in 70 countries. The Society
also sponsors some 275 chapters, districts, and regions, as well as 240
student chapters worldwide.
SME background information and news releases can be accessed on the SME
Home Page at http://www.sme.org. Information is archived from April 1996 to present.