CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
4 February 2010
Company News
NIHON AUTOMOBILE COLLEGE Adopted ThinkDesign to Educate Mechanical Engineers for Next Generation Eco-Cars
Think3 Inc. announced that NIHON AUTOMOBILE COLLEGE has chosen ‘ThinkDesign’ and ‘Reshape’ as teaching materials in its CAD classes for third and fourth level students.
NIHON AUTOMOBILE COLLEGE, also known as Nihon Automobile Technical School (NATS), is based in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is a college specializing in the mechanical engineering of automobiles and motorcycles. Established in 1989, 800 students are studying at the college. More than 5,000 students have graduated from the college and 100% of graduates find employment as mechanics and engineers in automobile maintenance firms and major automobile companies.
Mr. Hidenobu Hayashi, Director of the Education Department at NIHON AUTOMOBILE COLLEGE, comments on ThinkDesign as follows:
‘I think that ThinkDesign will enhance the surface modeling and car exterior design skills of all students who attend CAD class at our college. It is obvious that an EV car with an Electric Motor needs less mechanical parts; this situation gives us more free space in a car for interior and exterior design. Therefore, in future there is the possibility for having more variations in design, and the skills for the product design (like the exterior design) will be as important as the mechanical skills. Soon, next generation cars like EV will represent the mainstream of the car market. At that time, the skills on exterior design based on mechanical knowledge of the automobile will be required of every student.’
The purpose of this class is to study CAD operation, not only general CAD-modeling but also the unique design requirements of automobiles and motorcycles, considering materials, complex mechanisms and frameworks. The CAD class was established in 2000: students attended this class as part of their third and fourth level courses. All students who attended this class are already aware of the basic mechanical principles of automobiles and learn how to change design with a CAD system practically.
‘There are two courses related to exterior design and customization, ‘CAR customization course’ and ‘Motorsports course’. These two courses require students to change the exterior designs based on existing basic car designs, taking into account common regulations. Students actually make exterior designs by themselves, adopting Reshape and GSM3 in the process.’
‘The surface modeling functions provided by ThinkDesign and GSM3 provide freedom of creativity of automobile and motorcycle design. And skill with ThinkDesign will help during the transition period of automobile manufacturing when EV cars will become a mainstream of automobile society. My students will be experts in this field in near future.’
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.