DriveWorks at SOLIDWORKS World 2019
SOLIDWORKS World has come along way since Glen, our CEO, attended his first one in 2001. Back then many of the delegates were early adopters of 3D CAD and technical sessions focused on the basic functionality we all now take for granted.
Presentations in 2019 extended far beyond pure CAD, they included PDM, CAM, Electrical, Customization, Marketplace, Social Collaboration and much more. These topics reflect the bigger eco-system and wider 3D Experience that SOLIDWORKS is a key part of. One major announcement on the first day, therefore, was that next year, the event becomes 3D Experience World 2020 and will be in Nashville.
As a SOLIDWORKS Gold Partner, we’ve added so much functionality over the years too. Whilst we’re known for automating SOLIDWORKS, DriveWorks software is increasingly being used in other departments as well as engineering, for business process automation and as a sales configurator. We’re looking forward to 3D Experience World 2020!
Until then, here’s some of what we got up to at SOLIDWORKS World 2019.
Partner Pavilion
Our base during the day was our booth in the Partner Pavilion. So many people stopped by to see us which was fantastic and there was a real buzz throughout the hall with the extended Shop Floor exhibits, Education area, and new immersive reality XR Zone.
We had a showcase of our own with a preview of What’s New in our next major release DriveWorks 17. One of our most popular demos was our factory layout demo which uses some of the latest functionality coming in DriveWorks 17.
We showed how Gillette are using DriveWorks to power RazorMaker, their online 3D configurator for 3D printed custom razor handles. Anyone can go on to the site to configure the color and design of their handle and then enter text to add their name for a truly personalized product. Using DriveWorks technology, the 3D model updates as changes are made and once an order is placed, all the required data is sent straight to the Formlabs 3D printer.
For our booth, we also shipped out our two “Same but Different” kiosks, designed by us in SOLIDWORKS and configured in DriveWorks using our Kiosk Configurator! The kiosks house computer screens and tablets that we use to demonstrate DriveWorks on.
Tracey B Wilson, SOLIDWORKS World 2019 emcee also came over to see us!
General Sessions
Each morning we joined the general sessions, keen to learn more about this year’s theme – Where Possibility Takes Form.
We were most inspired and excited by the R&D Futures sessions where we saw a preview of the cutting-edge technologies coming from the Dassault Systèmes and SOLIDWORKS R&D Labs.
During general sessions, we also enjoyed hearing from those who are key to the SOLIDWORKS community – the users. It’s always inspiring to hear the different ways people use SOLIDWORKS technology and hear from those who are most passionate – the SOLIDWORKS User Group Network.
Presentations
We also had the opportunity to present at SOLIDWORKS World. Heather Hasz from the DriveWorks team took to the Certified Partner Theatre to present about DriveWorks design automation and CPQ and how our customer, Shotton Lifts use their DriveWorks configurator to specify custom elevators, automating the generation of engineering drawings, professional sales documents, quotes and BOMs.
Tom and Oliver presented a hands-on DriveWorksXpress session, teaching attendees about the design automation tool they already have inside SOLIDWORKS, and how to take the free DriveWorksXpress Certification.
Awards
We are super proud to be voted SOLIDWORKS User Group Network Partner of the Year. We were presented with the award at the SWUGLe event, in recognition of the work we have done to support, attend and provide presentations for user group meetings since 2015.
We also gave out our own award, the DriveWorks SWUG Leader of the Year Award. This year awarded to Chris Scarlett of Yakima SWUG.
Community
One of the best things about SOLIDWORKS World, is being amongst a passionate community of engineers, designers, makers and innovators.
We kicked off our SOLIDWORKS World experience at the Partner Appreciation event, hosted by SOLIDWORKS and then Heather and Phil attended the CADMonkey Dinner.
On Monday evening, our own Certified SOLIDWORKS Certified Experts went to the exclusive CSWE event.
On Tuesday evening we all enjoyed a real Texan experience at Gilles for the offsite Customer event.
We also attended the SOLIDWORKS User Group Leader event (SWUGLe) where we caught up with the group leaders we work with throughout the year, and were presented with the SWUGN Partner of the Year Award!
Reseller Briefing
We rounded off our time at SOLIDWORKS World with a Briefing for DriveWorks Resellers before heading home.
Glen Smith, DriveWorks CEO, presented more of What’s New in DriveWorks 17 followed by a Q&A.
Partner Pavilion Videos
SOLIDWORKS and DriveWorks Reseller TriMech came over to our booth to find out more about what we were showing at SOLIDWORKS World 2019.