Engineering Program Competes in Several Challenges per Year, Including Solar Splash

WALTHAM, Mass. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — December 14, 2011 — Many United States colleges and universities are committed to creating quality engineering programs. Among these institutions is Ohio’s Cedarville University, a 125-year-old liberal arts college whose undergraduate department of engineering and computer science holds its own internal design competitions and dominates external competitions, such as Solar Splash, an intercollegiate solar boat regatta.

Cedarville’s engineering and computer science department has been relying on SolidWorks^® 3D design solutions since 1996. Using SolidWorks, the department teaches more than 100 freshmen per year about modeling and CAD, challenging them with increasingly difficult projects until they demonstrate proficiency with SolidWorks. The goal is to prepare them for the real world with marketable skills. Likewise, senior students are tasked with a year-long design project that enables them to use every aspect of SolidWorks, such as lofting and analysis.

Cedarville also runs regular engineering competitions, such as a contest to design, build and race a cardboard canoe across a lake during homecoming weekend. The value of these competitions is to design, simulate, test and then use the physical end result.

“We want our students designing in SolidWorks because it’s the software they’ll use in the industry,” said Jay Kinsinger, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Cedarville University. “It’s so much more than CAD—it’s computer-aided engineering. Teaching students to use SolidWorks gives them a leg up in the job market, and testing their skills through different types of competitions keeps them engaged, encourages creativity and trains their minds to always be designing. SolidWorks has been a critical asset to the success of our engineering program.”

One of the most significant competitions that the Cedarville engineering team participates in is Solar Splash; the team has also participated in the Frisian Solar Challenge in the Netherlands. The contest comprises two challenges: one for endurance and one for speed, requiring that the boat encompasses design elements for both challenges. Cedarville, a six-time Solar Splash champion, designed a revolutionary hull that changes its characteristics by shifts in on-board weight to achieve endurance versus speed. With SolidWorks they were able to design hull shells more intuitively using the lofting feature, and analyze how that hull cuts through water using SolidWorks Simulation.”

“The Cedarville design team has a long track record of winning the Solar Splash competition and provides a fantastic example of how to build a robust engineering program using SolidWorks,” said Marie Planchard, director of education at Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks. “We’re looking forward to seeing how the team does at this year’s Solar Splash event and to welcoming Cedarville’s current class to the design industry.”

Cedarville University attracts 3,300 undergraduate, graduate and online students to more than 100 areas of study. Cedarville is a Christ-centered learning community recognized nationally for rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. Visit the University online at www.cedarville.edu.

Cedarville relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller  3DVision Technologies for ongoing software training, implementation and support.

About 3DVision Technologies

Founded in 1995, 3DVision Technologies Corp. is a team of experienced mechanical engineers that support the visions of engineers globally. With solutions for the design and manufacturing industries that include 3D solid-modeling, computer aided analysis, product data management and 3D Printers, 3DVision Technologies strives to maintain a “company culture” made up of employees who love what they do and work hard to help customers achieve their business goals. 3DVision Technologies has received numerous awards for sales, training and technical support within the engineering community. For more information on 3DVision Technologies visit its website at www.3dvision.com

About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions that help millions of engineers and designers succeed through innovation. Our products deliver an intuitive experience in product design, simulation, publishing, data management, and environmental impact assessment. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit our Web site ( www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-781-810-5011).

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation and 3DVIA Composer is a trademark of Dassault Systèmes in the US and other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2011 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

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