Mike Puckett's Blog

Working On The Go

For anyone that travels for a living, you will know that work is never that far away no matter what country you are in. Such is the case this week. A month or so ago we completed some optical inserts for a customer. The product was an existing design, but the resulting optics from the molded part was barely acceptable. The design of the inserts was from a different tool maker. We had the opportunity to re-engineer the inserts to help fix the problem. Well after using Cosmos and FlowXpress to redesign the inserts, the parts we built produced optics that were more than twice as good as what was necessary. So now with optics that are better than any of their other products, we are being directed to quote and redesign the next product line for them. That means they need a quote right away, and the sales guy needs my input to see what is involved.

The customer sent us old 2D autocad drawings which is all they had. I was able to connect to the internet (not an easy task in the middle of the forest in Germany), and download the files. Being that I'm travelling with my 'throw away' laptop, I have no CAD software. So I went to the Solidworks site and downloaded eDrawings, and I was able to open and view the drawings. After determining that the change was feasible I sent an email back with my stated needs for time, and now we can deliver our quote to our customer in time. We are never too far away to still get stuff done!

Autodesk CEO Wins CAD Award?

Well it certainly wasn't an Oscar for his finger flashing performance detailed here.  It was an award for some eco-friendly stuff.  All I know is that the word society is mentioned over and over in the press release which usually translates to stuffy yawn inducing information, give me a minute while I pat myself on the back sort of stuff. Again, see the difference in C.E.O.'s from company to company?

Off To Europe

Well its about time to head to the airport for that long 12 hour flight to Germany (good thing I'm not Richard Doyle heading to India for a 20+ hour flight!).  Our schedule has us there untill Sunday and then we head to Vienna Austria for three days and arrive back here next Wednesday.  Then its a SW user group meeting on Thursday night, and on board a flight on Friday to head to New York for 4 days. 

The internet connection in Germany is limited at best, so I will try to get some pictures posted if possible.  Once in Vienna however we should be back in the connected world!

Los Angeles area Solidworks User Group To Hold Joint Meeting With Autocad Group...

Planning is underway for what will be the first ever joint user group meeting between the Los Angeles area Solidworks User Group, and the So Cal Autodesk User Group.  The meeting will take place in May.  Tentatively scheduled to speak in a joint tips and tricks session are Richard Doyle from Solidworks, and Lynn Allen from Autodesk.  Together they will show how using 2D and 3D together produces an emerging technology known only as 5D.  Scheduled to give opening remarks is Dr. Don Normam who will discuss his emotional journey to Solidworks World this year. 

Also planning to attend is Solidworks guru Matt Lombard who will be on hand to unveil his new 29 Volume set of Encyclopedia Solidworks Britannica which will be sold in your local supermarket for $29.95 with a new volume arriving each week.  Other topics to be covered are:

Photoworks: Make me a super hero.  Users will get the chance to take a 3D model of Rob Rodriguez and turn him into a super hero in photoworks.

Are you talking to me punk?: A how-to session on designing long range missiles, and the methods available to sell those designs on the black market by Ricky Jordan

PDM, what is it?: Devon Sowel will be on hand to reveal PDM actually stands for "production doesn't matter, and describe how simply throwing around big words, and terms will get you raises, and promotions.

Living in an electronic bubble: Josh Mings will show attendees how with a laptop and an Internet connection you too can find anything possible on the Internet including pet q-tips, and alarm clocks that will make you a cup of coffee all in the space of an organic display.

The final guest on hand will be Jeremey Luchini from Solidworks who will be on hand to showcase the newest Solidworks Certification test: C.S.W.P.A.L.I.K.H.T.L.T.P. (Certified Solidworks Professional At Least I Know How To Launch The Program)

The entire day will be video taped and produced onto dvd for all attendees by video master Ben Eadie of Solidmentor.  Ben is best known for inventing the next level of HD known as 60,876 PHI High Definition.  Rumor has it that at full resolution, the image can actually burn out your eye balls!

So join us for this fun filled day of activities, and don't forget to arrive early to register for your chance to win a Solidworks 8-track Walkman loaded with tons of Solidworks information!  If you aren't able to attend, be sure to join us at the website below for the live webcast feed produced by Patrick Cook who is setting up a process that will allow you to receive the feed on your internet enabled wrist watch!

Web Feed: www.happy-april-fools-day.com/.org/.net/.edu/.ca/.gov