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What can the new Autodesk Inventor AI Assistant do for you?

Autodesk Assistant brings industry-specific context to help execute tasks and orchestrate actions across your 3D models -- not just answer questions. Designed to understand your workflows, Assistant appears as a dockable panel alongside your Inventor workspace and includes the ability to perform complex tasks or gather information from your designs without writing a single line of code. Find out what this new AI "colleague" can do for you.
Watch this informative Autodesk video.

AI and collaboration in SOLIDWORKS

Discover AURA, the new AI assistant built into SOLID-WORKS, in this informative video from TriMech Group. What can AURA do for you? It can streamline workflows and make collaborating on and tracking projects even easier, for starters. Other top features of SOLIDWORKS Design 2026 are also covered. Some good tips here.
View the TriMech Group video.

Digital Engineering: How a private jet gets a high-end refurb

Ever wonder how private jets get overhauled from standard OEM layouts to exotic, artful interiors? It takes engineering expertise, specialty design skills, and true craftspeople. Increasingly, it also takes automation provided by middleware to weave a digital thread through CAD, BOM, ERP, and PDM software.
Read the full article.

How AI is quietly transforming simulation

Is AI really useful, or is it just a passing trend? Balavignesh Vemparala, an R&D Engineer II at ANSYS, lays out a compelling case for how artificial intelligence is already hard at work in the simulation world with real results for users. From faster solves to accelerated workflows, improved quality and traceability, generative models, and more, discover what you might be overlooking when it comes to real-world AI application. Worth the read.
Read this informative ANSYS blog.

SOLIDWORKS 2026 assembly updates: GoEngineer

In this GoEngineer video, you can learn how SOLIDWORKS 2026 is making assembly workflows smarter, faster, and more efficient. Explore the latest enhancements to assemblies, including: streamlined display and configuration tables, AI-assisted fastener mating, improved performance for lightweight components, and more.
View the GoEngineer video.

Xometry's CAD Add-Ins: Get instant pricing, lead times in your workspace

Xometry's add-ins for SOLID-WORKS, Fusion, and Onshape allow engineers and designers to purchase custom manufactured parts within their preferred CAD workspace. These no-cost add-ins analyze the geometry of CAD designs and allow users to select their preferred material, process, and part quantity to get real-time pricing and lead times. This seamless integration of custom manufacturing quotes allows you to move efficiently through your product development process.
Get the Xometry add-in for your favorite CAD program today.

Mastercam 2026 is here!

Mastercam 2026, the powerhouse for precision machining, is packed with exciting new features designed to boost productivity and streamline workflows. Highlights include: enhanced solid hole functionality, classic mill toolpath support in Mill-Turn, new levels and planes managers, PrimeTurning enhancements, the all-new AI-powered Mastercam Copilot programming assistant, and a whole lot more.
Learn about all the new features.

Automatically generate technical drawings in SOLIDWORKS 2025

Did you know you can generate 2D technical drawings directly from a part or an assembly environment automatically with SOLIDWORKS 2025 release FD01? What a great feature for creating tech manuals, detailed production drawings, and more. Learn from the experts at TriMech Group how this tool "eliminates repetitive setup tasks and helps you focus on real engineering and design."
View the video.
Like this tip? Learn how to create an exploded view too.

10 best updates from the last 5 years: SOLIDWORKS

Follow along with the experts at TriMech Group as they chronicle the top feature updates in SOLIDWORKS. Are you still using SOLIDWORKS 2020 -- or an even older version? Find out what you are missing, such as: enhanced rendering and new technical drawing tools; improved file sharing, collaboration, and workflows; advanced customization and UI improvements; faster and more efficient assemblies and simulations; and more.
View the TriMech video.

What's new in Creo Parametric 11.0?

Creo Parametric 11.0 is packed with productivity-enhancing updates, and sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest impact in your daily workflows. Mark Potrzebowski, Technical Training Engineer, Rand 3D, runs through the newest functionality -- from improved surface modeling tools to smarter file management and model tree navigation. Videos provide extra instruction.
Read the full article.

SOLIDWORKS 2025: Sheet metal design top features from an expert

Find out what's new in SOLIDWORKS 2025 when it comes to sheet metal and weldments, and learn some valuable tips and tricks along the way from TriMech. Topics covered include copying cut list properties, bend notches, tab and slot enhancements, groove beads (a new type of weld bead), performance enhancements, and more. When you're done, check out TriMech's full YouTube channel filled with educational material.
View the video.

Tech Tip: How to create high-quality STL files for 3D prints

Have you ever 3D printed a part that had flat spots or faceted surfaces where smooth curves were supposed to be? You are not alone, and it's not your 3D printer's fault. According to Markforged, the culprit is likely a lack of resolution in the STL file used to create the part.
Read this detailed and informative Markforged blog.

Can SOLIDWORKS run on a Mac in 2025?

According to SOLIDWORKS experts at TriMech, there's good news and bad news when it comes to the possibility of running the popular product development solution on a Mac. This video covers the possibilities and the limitations, including tweaks that may be helpful. Check out TriMech's full YouTube channel for tons of helpful tips.
View the video.

Supercar of the skies: Autodesk Alias design

Learn how Hill Helicopter is using Autodesk Alias to design the innovative HX50, the "supercar of the skies." The next-gen, private copter marries high-end automotive and aero design and materials to create a futuristic flying five-seat SUV for a discriminating clientele. A neat insider look.
View the video.

What's new in MATLAB and Simulink?

Release 2024b from MathWorks offers hundreds of new and updated features and functions in MATLAB and Simulink including several major updates -- including 5G Toolbox, Simulink Control Design, System Composer, and more -- that streamline the workflows of engineers and researchers working on wireless communications systems, control systems, and digital signal processing applications.
View the video.

Proto Labs launches new additive manufacturing service

Proto Labs, a leading online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer, has launched its additive manufacturing service through the acquisition of privately held FineLine Prototyping, a leading provider of additive manufacturing services.

FineLine, based in Raleigh, NC, offers high-quality stereolithography, selective laser-sintering, and direct metal laser-sintering services to corporate customers in a wide variety of industries, including medical, aerospace, computer/electronics, consumer products, and industrial machinery, among others. FineLine has a stellar reputation for delivering high-quality, precision, rapid-prototype parts, ranging from small, highly detailed parts to large patterns.

The addition of additive manufacturing expands Proto Labs services to address a wider spectrum of need for the product developer. From concept models, to form and fit testing, to functional testing and short-run production, design engineers would be hard pressed to find another company that can supply a broader range of quick-turn custom parts with the speed, reliability, and consistency of Proto Labs.

The new service is also highly complementary to Proto Labs' existing CNC machining and injection-molding services. Historically, 70 percent of Proto Labs customers also utilize an additive manufacturing service in their product development process. This is a key move, considering that Proto Labs has its own substantial database of over 300,000 product developers.

Under terms of the agreement, Proto Labs will continue to operate the FineLine facility out of Raleigh, and the company expects to retain the services of all key employees, including FineLine principals Rob Connelly and Craig Goff, to lead the global additive manufacturing services.

"Our customers have been asking us to provide additive manufacturing services for quite some time," said Vicki Holt, Proto Labs President and CEO, "and now we can address that need. We're accepting orders starting today."

Find out more information at www.finelineprototyping.com.

Source: Proto Labs

Published May 2014

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