The Minnesota SolidWorks User Group is an independent, volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the local SolidWorks community. Because it is a volunteer organization, there is no charge for membership. Feel free to bring your questions on any topics that you’d like to discuss. Join other SolidWorks users for some food, refreshments, networking and discussions on SolidWorks issues in an open and relaxed environment. You could also win some great SolidWorks prizes. The group discussions and technical presentations are generally geared toward mechanical engineering/design.

The purpose of the Minnesota SolidWorks User Group is to promote the free exchange of information related to the use of SolidWorks among the membership of the user group. It provides a forum in which the membership can assist each other in furthering their knowledge about, and advancing their abilities in the use of SolidWorks. The group meets 4 times a year at various host sites around the Twin Cities area and all SolidWorks users are welcome.

 

Enter the PrimeStaff Derby!
Winner gets a $300 gift card to Best Buy.
If you're a cub scout parent, some of this may sound familiar. Model your car and assemble it with supplied wheels and axles. We will run a flow analysis on the cars to find the drag coefficient and multiply that with the time run down the track in COSMOS Motion for the virtual race time. Other prizes will be offered for Best in Show for the winning jpg image of their car.

The condensed rules are:
1) Must use the official MNSUG Derby Car Kit that includes one Axle, one Wheel and a set of official rules.
2) Physical properties of the components in the supplied kit, including material and size may not be altered in any way.
3) Body must be in an envelope no larger than 7 x 1.25 x 1.75
4) Body material must be specified as Pine.
5) Body must be manufactureable by common manufacturing processes.
6) Race cars may be no longer than 7 inches, nor wider than 2.75. Underside clearance must be at least 0.375 and inside wheel to wheel clearance at least 1.75.
7) Wheel base must be 1.75 x 4.25
8) Weight of the completed assembly must not exceed 5 oz. Additional components made from
materials in the standard SW materials library may be added to reach the 5 oz. weight.
9) Assemble car body, 4 wheels, 4 axles and additional weight together
10) Zip up all files and email entries along with your name and company to
MNSUG-contest@solidservices.net
11) Entry deadline is July 28, 2008.
12) One entry per person.
13) The Inspection Committee shall disqualify cars which do not meet the rules as described herein. Interpretation of the rules is at the sole discretion of the Inspection Committee.
See official rules inside the Car Kit.

Design contest sponsorship allows the user group to offer more substantial prizes. It offers the sponsor an opportunity to introduce themselves to the group and be present at two consecutive meetings (to announce the contest and to award the prize). If you would like to sponsor a design/model contest, contact Dan Podzimek (danp@solidservices.net)

 

Join the MNSUG bulletin board and see what other users have to say. This is the official bulletin board for the Minnesota SolidWorks User Group.

Subscribe to the MNSUG bulletin board
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Meeting minutes for meetings in the last year.

Meeting on May 16, 2007 at Hennepin County Public Library, Southdale
A technical representative from Applied Engineering was on hand to discuss design tables in assemblies and dealing with large assemblies. We also started a new Open Mouse meeting segment where anyone can show a tip or trick that they use in SolidWorks. The winner of the 123GO modeling contest was Steve Miller. Check out his model here.

Meeting on August 16, 2007 at the Brookview Community Center
Richard Doyle from SolidWorks was here with his Tips and Tricks Trivia Contest. It was great fun for everyone and Richard saw the highest score ever for this contest. Tim Newton from Symmetry Solutions put on a great presentation on SolidWorks Animator. Bob Styer won the 3Dconnexion Design Contest and a 3Dconnexion SpaceExplorer worth $300 with this part. The Tech Central Model contest was announced.

Meeting on November 14, 2007 at the Hennepin County Public Library, Ridgedale
Brian Lindahl and Mauricio Murillo gave their presentations that they will be doing at SolidWorks World in January. Brian showed us how to add custom hole standards to the hole wizard and Mauricio showed us how he uses blocks to create flexible circuits. Todd Martin is the winner of the Tech Central Model Contest (click here to see the winning models) and we announced the Haldeman-Homme/Z Corp Model Contest.

Meeting on February 20, 2008 at Datacard Group
Brian Harrison from SolidWorks told us about SolidWorks Labs (labs.solidworks.com) and the useful tools free to use. Trevor Waldeland was announced as the winner of the Haldeman-Homme/Z-Corp Model contest. Click here to see Trevor's models. The new Dayton Die Cushions Model contest was announced - see details below. Some highlights of SolidWorks World were discussed by some of the people that made the trip to San Diego.

Check out a MNSUG look at SolidWorks World 2008 with this short video.
High Quality (80mb)
Low Quality (20mb)

Meeting on May 21, 2008 at NTI
Representatives from Alignex demonstrated two competing design automation products; DriveWorks and TactonWorks. The current model contest sponsored by Dayton Die Cushions with a prize of a $300, 8GB iPod touch wrapped up with Robin Poshusta winning with this model. The PrimeStaff derby was announced and will wrap up at the SWUGN Summit in August, 2008.

Plan to attend the SWUGN Technical Summit in Minneapolis on August 19, 2008
SWUGN Technical Summits are regional versions of SolidWorks World. You get breakfast and lunch, your choice of 5 out of 10 technical presentations plus a fun and informative lunch time presentation with Richard Doyle all for $40. This is a first class event and the MNSUG is proud to be a part of it. Check back for a full agenda and registration details but mark your calendar now.

 

Contact any of the group Leaders to get on the distribution list so you don't miss any future group activities.

Group Leaders

Dan Podzimek - President
David Labuda - Vice President
Mark Nelson - Secretary

 

Employment

From time to time, member companies have staffing needs for their engineering departments. They can be listed here, for a limited time.

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6/9/08
Applications Engineer - Alignex

Alignex is growing again. We have an opening for a SolidWorks Application Engineer in our Edina office. Application Engineers are technical specialists that support and train customers on how to use SolidWorks. Are you the person in your department that everyone else asks question about how things work in SolidWorks? Do you love learning about and working with SolidWorks as much or more than doing your day to day design tasks? If you love technology and engineering this could be a dream job for you.

This position is considered a "Technologist" position in that it requires strong computer skills along with the ability to provide extensive software technical support to a diverse range of manufacturing and engineering firms. Proficiency with 3D mechanical software is required. A 4 year mechanical engineering degree is a plus. Alignex Inc. offers aggressive pay plans that include salary, a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and flex benefits coverage, direct deposit, 401K, profit sharing incentive programs and an invigorating work environment. Alignex Inc. is dedicated to fostering the professional growth and development of its employees and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements
Responsibilities include: Product demonstrations and presentations to end users and senior management; provide telephone, email, and on-site technical support; develop and deliver customized training courses; provide implementation services; and have the ability to evaluate new design software solutions that will address clients' product development needs that fulfill their business goals.

The successful candidate must:
-Have Strong Leadership skills
-Enjoy learning new software applications
-Be able to successfully work in a team environment
-Possess strong understanding of common industry practices
-Have excellent communication, and presentation skills
-Have high ethical standards
-Thrive in a small company / team atmosphere
-Possess superior organizational and time management skills
-Be capable of dealing with all levels of personnel in major corporate accounts, from executives to end-users
-Have professional experience and proven ability to successfully apply 3-D CAD technologies
-Be a problem solver with the ability to see a project through its life-cycle
-Meet aggressive organizational goals and objectives

Please send resumes in Confidence to:
Mack Rasmussen
Director of Technical Support
Alignex Inc.
7200 Metro Blvd
Edina MN 55439
www.alignex.com

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5/25/08
Mechanical/Machine Designer - Design Resource, Inc.

We are looking for passionate and dynamic individuals to join our team who will be responsible for the design, development and detailing of machines and tooling for the manufacturing industry.

As a mechanical designer, you will be an important member of our team with tasks ranging from design concept and modeling to detailing and design revisions. Frequent interaction with clients and other team members require excellent communication skills.

This position requires the ability to work in a team atmosphere and contribute to overall project success, but also able to work independently when required. Our work atmosphere is casual with an emphasis on personal productivity.

Candidates should possess the following:

• Minimum 2 yr degree in a machine design or related
• Proficiency in SolidWorks
• Pro/E experience a plus
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven drafting skills with knowledge of current standards (ANSI and ISO)
• Ability to interpret and apply GD&T
• Knowledge of machine shop practices and manufacturing methods.

Qualified candidates may submit their resume to: contact@driengineering.com

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4/11/08
Designer/Drafter - Exlar Corporation

Primary Objective of Position:
Works with Application Engineering and Customers to effectively perform the design modeling and drafting of custom electro-mechanical actuators according to customer specifications.

Major Areas of Accountability:
1) Perform computer aided design drafting of the company's engineering and production drawings.
2) Design parts and assemblies on a timely basis as needed to fulfill customer orders.
3) Develop detailed part drawings including all necessary information regarding materials, processes, dimensions and tolerances.
4) Manage design documentation required for custom and special products, coordinate efforts with design engineering. Assign new part numbers, create Bills of Materials, load the required data into the company manufacturing database system to assure the design documentation package required for production is available when the order reaches the shop floor.
5) Construct product assembly drawings from piece part drawings complete with bill of materials where appropriate.
6) Stay technically current on drafting hardware, software, techniques and standards.
7) Assure that engineering and production drawings are completed in accordance with the engineering documentation system.
8) Provide technical documentation for operating manuals, user manuals and other engineering or production literature as required.

Qualifications (Educational, Professional, Physical):
• 2-Year Drafting Program completion or an Associate Design Degree including coursework in SolidWorks and 2+ years of work experience in a mechanical CAD design/drafting position utilizing SolidWorks.

Contact Information:
Potential applicants should contact Human Resources for an application or send résumé to:

Exlar Corporation - HR
1470 Lake Drive West
Chanhassen, MN
Phone: (952) 368-3434
E-Mail: hr@exlar.com
Fax: (952) 368-4877

Exlar offers full benefits including: medical, dental, company paid life/LTD insurance, a matching 401(k) plan, flexible spending account, vacation pay, sick pay, holiday pay and tuition reimbursement.