Computer-aided design (CAD) changed the way engineers, architects and draftsmen work from countless pencil and paper drafts to drawing on a screen. CAD designs can be changed and manipulated in numerous ways without crumpling a paper and starting over at the beginning and this technology that emerged out of the 1980s is still advancing rapidly today.

In 1886, Karl Benz received a patent for a gasoline powered automobile engine. This turned automotive engineering from steam power to the beginning of modern engine designs. Unfortunately, for auto enthusiasts, starting these engines was most often done by getting out and cranking an impossible handle. The first electric starter appeared on an Arnold in 1896. It was not until 1911, that Charles Kettering gave America a true electric starter motor.

You may wonder: what do cars and CAD have in common? The most important similarity is that they represent continuous advancements in technology that are designed to make life easier, better and more productive. Keeping up with advancements in technology can keep your business advancing and increase your bottom line. If you are still using a compass and protractor to create ink on Mylar drawings, you are driving a Model T. If you are using a FORTRAN based system, you are driving a Yugo. You are going, but not very far or very fast.

Upgrading Your CAD Software

Many businesses are relying on CAD software that is outdated. It functions like an old trusty car, but does not offer cruise control, power windows or air conditioning. Who could imagine driving in a car without these amenities? Likewise, CAD is no longer simply two-dimensional modeling. The latest CAD software uses 3D surface and solid modeling, dynamic mathematical modeling and even photorealistic rendering.

PTC Creo gives you CAD software that you can customize to your business needs and then build on, without having to learn to drive all over again. If you are only comfortable with front-wheel drive, you can work with 2D software. When you are ready for all-wheel drive, your 2D can seamlessly move into 3D.

If your business uses an entire fleet of different CAD solutions, you do not have to worry about putting a Ford muffler on a GM SUV. PTC can provide you with the right tools for Multi-CAD environments. You can even test drive PTC Creo software for free.

Using Your Upgraded CAD Software

Have you heard enough car related puns yet? Well there’s more.

Upgrading to the latest software is just the start. If you do not use the functions your upgraded CAD system offers, you are driving a Porsche in first gear. You have the capability but something is holding you back. Many users fear change or do not understand how to implement the change. With PTC Creo, you simply push in the clutch and shift. For instance, PTC Creo Flexible Modeling Extension (FMX) allows you to make rapid design changes at the last minute by selecting only the parameters you need to change.

PTC Learning Exchange offers free tutorials so you and your employees can learn to drive your CAD software and utilize all of the benefits. So getting the most out of new technology is not as difficult as you may fear.

Taking a horse and buggy across the country will take you forever, but embracing PTC Creo FMX will shorten design cycles and lower production costs. Let EAC show you how easy Creo is to use so you can get your business on the road to success. All puns intended.

I remember quite well the anxiety of deciding what college I should attend. Like many, I knew I would be paying for it myself, and I wasn’t exactly fond of racking up thousands of dollars in student loans. It was absolutely crucial that I picked a school and a program that would bring me the most bang for my buck without sacrificing the quality of the education.

So many students are facing that same decision today. Although my career path was never destined for engineering, I did end up working with a company (EAC) that provides anything an organization needs to start or maintain an engineering group/department. This includes the education sector. One of our customers is Globe University, formerly known as the NTI School of Technology in Woodbury, MN.

The Globe staff has gone to great lengths to ensure that their students realize the benefits of a great education while providing it at a great value. Dan Podzimek, who heads the Drafting and Design program, ensures that their engineering students have the breadth and know-how to have successful careers by making sure they are well versed in relevant CAD solutions.

Unfortunately, many schools are teaching students how to use outdated software. This could be due to budget restrictions or simply that training for the educators is lacking. In any case, Podzimek and his colleagues realize the importance of teaching the most current and real world tools to prepare their students for the field.

Last year, the program switched from teaching PTC Pro/ENGINEER to PTC’s new platform, Creo Parametric. To accompany the upgrade Globe also adopted PTC’s Precision LMS (Learning Management System). The results were staggering. With the new CAD tool and teaching aide, they were able to cover 25% more course material.

I know myself well, and if someone came to me and said I could get 25% more out of this course versus that course, the decision would be a no brainer — and I am sure I’m not alone. I don’t know about you, but I’d say that’s 25% more bang for your buck!

Please comment below. Were the software tools taught in your college’s engineering program part of your school selection criteria?

Click here to read the complete case study and see what other benefits Globe University has realized since the switch to Creo Parametric.

In the last 6 or so months, I have had the honor and privilege of interviewing some of our customers. At EAC, we are dedicated to continuous improvement and one way we gain perspective of where we stand is by capturing voice of customer metrics and case studies. It not only validates how we operate, but it also gives us an opportunity to share our customer’s successes with other companies that might be facing similar challenges. These customers are real, industry leaders who are PTC software users and cheerleaders for EAC. I hope you can relate to our customer’s stories and enjoy reading how they worked through their business challenges and objectives with the help of EAC and PTC.

For today’s voice of customer bit, I’d like to highlight FSG Design (Pennsylvania). They produce innovative solutions for a variety of industries, including: robotics, military, automotive, and medical.  Because of the strict tolerances within these industries, FSG’s projects require a CAD tool that is powerful, adaptive, and has the capability to create pristine surfaces.

CEO & Principle Frank Glogowski has found that using Creo Parametric 2.0 along side the Interactive Surface Design Extension (ISDX) has increased his overall productivity by a whopping 25%. Glogowski also said that ISDX meets 98% of the surfacing needs for his organization.

Glogowski has also used other tools like ICEM-Surf, which is for highly complex surface modeling geared toward the automotive industry. My favorite quote from the interview came from his experience. “There is a direct connection with the ICEM-Surf data and ISDX data and I am able to work bi-directional which is really nice. Once one surface is set in, I can take care of all engineering with Creo and the ISDX Module.”

In the grand scale of company size, FSG Design is considered a Small Business. It is worth pointing out that world-class tools are not out of reach for smaller companies. FSG was looking for a way to adopt and upgrade to great software while keeping the budget in check.

If you’ve got comments about how ISDX is working for you, or have questions, get the conversation started below.

I’ve been a Mechanical Engineer for years. This means I’ve had many conversations with people regarding their opinions about the various CAD tools on the market. For the record, I’m a Creo and Pro/ENGINEER man. During these, sometimes heated, conversations I regularly hear people say that it takes too many mouse clicks to do something in Creo; whether that is creating a feature in sketcher mode or getting to the dialogue box to select a sketching plane for an extrude. Every time I hear this I have the same response. I tell them about a simple solution that’s built right into Creo. I use it every day. It’s the right mouse button.
The right mouse button (RMB) gives you several menu options depending on what mode you are in and what you are currently doing. For example if you are editing an extrude and you have the dashboard up and you hold down the right mouse button you will see options such as “Edit Internal Sketch, Clear, Surface, Thicken sketch, Flip Depth Direction, Add Taper, Show Section Dimensions.” I don’t know about you but I find that a lot faster and easier than digging through the dashboard.

This was just one quick example of using the right mouse button in Creo. Feel free to explore the right mouse button in other areas of Creo for different menu options. Let me know your favorite “short cuts” in the comments below.