SolidWorks Helps Pumpkins Go Airborne
31 10월 2011 - 9:00PM
Business Wire
One of the first siege engines, the catapult, was invented by
the ancient Greeks for use in battle. Thousands of years later,
Americans in a field in Delaware use those same devices to “chunk”
pumpkins in an annual, pulp-filled competition. Many of today’s
competitors, like Team ETHOS, have a secret weapon—they use
SolidWorks® 3D design software to design and analyze their
catapults for optimum performance.
Team ETHOS, a group of hobbyists from Wright Patterson Air Force
Base, uses SolidWorks 3D design solutions to design and simulate
their catapult to compete in the Punkin’ Chunkin’® competitions.
They use a siege engine relying on torsion, or twisting, power to
propel the projectiles. In 2009, the team’s SolidWorks design led
to a first place finish in the Adult Torsion Catapult category of
the World Championship with a throw of 2,088 feet.
The World Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’ Association (WCPCA) is a
non-profit association started in 1986 that hosts the Punkin’
Chunkin’ World Championships, an event which raises money for
scholarships and charitable organizations. The contest has a simple
goal: to throw an 8-pound pumpkin the farthest, remaining intact
until it hits the ground. In addition to the World Championship,
Team ETHOS also competes in a fundraising pumpkin chunk at the
Wright Patterson AFB. This year the team’s Phoenix catapult raised
$900 for charity with a shot of 2,972 feet; easily winning the
contest.
In 2008-9, Team ETHOS re-designed its catapult, now called
Phoenix, using SolidWorks software. They started with several
designs in SolidWorks and evaluated each design’s manufacturability
in the carbon-fiber composite, steel, and aluminum they use to
build the catapult. Once they selected the final design, the team
performed a stress and dynamics analysis in SolidWorks Simulation
to understand how the catapult would function under real-world
operating conditions. Any time something in the build didn’t work
quite right, the team was able to easily remodel the parts in
SolidWorks.
“SolidWorks is integral to everything we do for Phoenix. We use
it to virtually test weights, motion, clearances, stress and
dynamic analysis,” said David Mollenhauer, senior materials
engineer. “It’s a complete game changer for the way we design
things. At the same time, the software is very intuitive — I was
able to teach myself how to use it.”
The combination of SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation software
allows Team ETHOS to analyze every aspect of the catapult. The team
can evaluate force and stress between contacting parts and apply
bearing loads, force, pressure, and torque while optimizing the
design based on structure and motion. Team ETHOS also works with a
CNC machinist who donates time to execute the high-precision
aluminum machining for the catapult. SolidWorks drawings are easily
translated into a form the machinist can use, resulting in parts
that fit the first time.
“It’s great to see people come together to use physics for fun.
While the Punkin’ Chunkin’ event is designed for hobbyists, it’s
also a testimonial to the role of physics and design in our
everyday lives,” said Stephen Endersby, Simulation Product Manager
for Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. “Team ETHOS has combined
form, function, and entertainment with its design for the world
championship competition. We can’t wait to see how Team ETHOS
performs this year.”
Watch Team ETHOS square off against five other teams in the
Adult Torsion Catapult category of the World Championship Punkin’
Chunkin’ beginning on November 4, 2011. Discovery and Science
channels will air the competition on November 24, 2011. Check your
local TV listings for details. More information about how
SolidWorks can help you design a catapult is available at
http://www.solidworks.com/Sim_Complex_PumpkinChunkin_DOWNLOAD.
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 +1-978-371-5000).
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes
SolidWorks Corporation in the US and other countries. Other brand
and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2011
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Dassault Systems (PK) (USOTC:DASTY)
과거 데이터 주식 차트
부터 3월(3) 2025 으로 4월(4) 2025
Dassault Systems (PK) (USOTC:DASTY)
과거 데이터 주식 차트
부터 4월(4) 2024 으로 4월(4) 2025
