Using the Indent feature to create a Spout (SolidWorks)
March 11, 2010
A useful technique to deform a part in a controllable way, using dimensions, is the indent feature. A tool body is used to deform a target body, and at least one of the bodies must be a solid. By using the indent feature, it can replace other surfacing techniques to create similar features.
Modeling Cabling in Pro/Engineer without the Pro/Cable module (add-in)
March 6, 2010
Lately, I have been using SolidWorks for most of my projects. However, I do occasionally get requests for work to be done in Pro/Engineer. One of those requests was to model electrical cabling, and create a flat length on a drawing. Neither I, nor did my client have the Pro/Cable module, so I needed to find a solution to this problem as Pro/Cable would require the purchase of an additional Pro-E module.
Part II of modeling 3-D CAD parts with silk-screening (Pro/Engineer)
March 5, 2010
Logo in Pro-E part sketch
From my previous post, I received a request on how to model silkscreening on a part designed in Pro/Engineer using vector graphics. The previous example was a SolidWorks part, but the techniques are similar although the terminology in Pro-E differs from SW.
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 
Tags: pad-printing, Pro/Engineer, silk-screen, SolidWorks | 
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Modeling 3-D CAD parts with silk-screening (Laser marking, Pad Printing, etc.)
February 26, 2010
When creating parts with silk-screening, one issue that mechanical design engineers frequently face is how to model the laser marking or pad printing artwork on the part CAD model. The logo needs to be visible in both the part file and drawing which references the part file.
Posted in Tips and Tricks | Tags: pad-printing, Pro/Engineer, silk-screen, SolidWorks | 2 Comments »
New Industrial Design Program
February 24, 2010
A new industrial design program is in the process of forming in Ohio. This program is being developed by Jim Orr, an Industrial Designer, whose background comes from GM.
Can U.S. manufactures compete with overseas competitors?
February 21, 2010
Because of my business as a product design consultant, I will occasionally received requests from clients looking for a domestic contract manufacturer that is able to contend with competitors in China. I had read an article titled Battling China on Price in BusinessWeek magazine (May 13, 2009), and decided to look around at domestic manufacturers. For this road trip, I was specifically looking for a plastic injection-molder.