CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
29 November 2004
Implementation Investments
Three Top German Universities Standardize Engineering Instruction Using SolidWorks Software
Three leading German engineering universities have each purchased 500 licenses of the SolidWorks Education Edition, including SolidWorks® 3D mechanical design and COSMOS® design analysis software, to teach students how to solve design challenges while preparing them for jobs after graduation. The universities of applied sciences in Furtwangen and in Darmstadt, as well as the College for Technology in Ludenscheid, are teaching students how to convert their design concepts into working 3D models that they can test, refine, and build with the SolidWorks Education Edition.
"SolidWorks is not only easy to learn and use, it brings 3D CAD to life for students, feeding their interest in engineering as a career," said Harry Kunte, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences at Furtwangen. "The tight integration between SolidWorks and COSMOS will help students realize a significant portion of product development, from initial design through final analysis. That's important insight for budding engineers."
The university's students will use SolidWorks software to learn 3D modeling fundamentals before designing specific components and products. They'll then use COSMOSWorks® and COSMOSMotionT to test how their projects will perform as physical objects and stand up to everyday use.
The metallurgy department of the College for Technology in Ludenscheid teamed with the local employers' association to purchase the additional 500 licenses after demand had far exceeded the 30 seats the school had purchased in 1999. More than 250 metallurgy students use SolidWorks during an apprenticeship year. They work with SolidWorks' sheet metal tools to design and perfect cutting tool designs, plate configurations, and plastic tools used in a variety of applications.
"SolidWorks is widely used in design departments throughout Germany," said Werner Lemmert, the College for Technology's principal. "We know how important 3D modeling skills are for job applications and how they improve the chances for job seekers. For this reason, we decided to standardize on the industry's leading software provider."
SolidWorks' 3D modeling capabilities will help students excel in their professional careers. Bodo Warden, a student in the Department of Industrial Design at the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt, used SolidWorks to eliminate lengthy and tedious 2D drafting out of a new motorbike design. "SolidWorks has both the parametric tools to better visualize solid models and the intuitive interface to accelerate product design and eliminate countless revisions. I could incorporate changes without having to regenerate the design each time," he said.
The SolidWorks Education Edition also gives students at all three institutions access to eDrawingsT e-mail-enabled design communication tool; PhotoWorksT photorealistic rendering tool; SolidWorks Animator design animation tool; and SolidWorks Toolbox library of standard parts.
"Students like Bodo Warden are proof that SolidWorks is filling a global need for educational 3D modeling software that is both easy to learn and powerful," said Rosanne Kramer, director of worldwide education markets for SolidWorks Corporation. "Students from around the world are telling their professors that they love SolidWorks. The SolidWorks Education Edition provides design power and ease of use, which inspire learning and motivate students to become skilled engineers and product designers."
The University of Applied Sciences in Furtwangen, the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt, and the College for Technology in Ludenscheid work with SolidWorks resellers DPS GmbH, SolidLine AG, and Comsol GmbH respectively for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
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