SolidWorks CAD License For Use at MMS?

[Austen P.]

I stopped by on Tuesday for my first visitor session and had a thought: would anyone appreciate a seat of SolidWorks for use at the MakerSpace if I could swing it? I work for a reseller and want to see if there's interest in it before I work my way up the authorization chain to pull those strings. The 2018 version also has a built in copy of SolidWorks CAM for CNC programming, which is my specialty here. 

I talked to the owner about what you have going on and he was genuinely interested. 

[Steve Gutschow]

That would be great!

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 7, 2017, at 8:34 AM, Austen P. <auste...@gmail.com> wrote:

I stopped by on Tuesday for my first visitor session and had a thought: would anyone appreciate a seat of SolidWorks for use at the MakerSpace if I could swing it? I work for a reseller and want to see if there's interest in it before I work my way up the authorization chain to pull those strings. The 2018 version also has a built in copy of SolidWorks CAM for CNC programming, which is my specialty here. 

I talked to the owner about what you have going on and he was genuinely interested. 

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[james4875]

I would definable use it!  I use it daily at work and could help some people learn.

We are a non profit organization, so it classifies as a tax deductible donation I'd think.  You'd need to ask a BOD member for details.

[Pete Prodoehl]

Sector67 got a donation of 10 licenses so they could teach classes, but they also had 10 computers to install on, and a commitment to teach classes on a regular basis.

I've been hesitant to try to do the same for us due to lack of hardware and a dedicated teacher...


Pete

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[Kathryn Hughett]

James,  Would consider being an instructor for this?

Kathy H.

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[Steve Pilon]

I am 100% for this! Im a touch rusty on my Solidworks skills and do need to get back into shape with it. I would teach it if need be. Iv taken classes on Solidworks before. 

[Steve Pilon]

If need be I would be the instructor. 

[james4875]

Kathy: I imagine I could rotate doing a weekly class with Steve and maybe others who know SW.

Pete:  I agree, MMS would have to commit to obtaining a computer that can handle SW.  I doubt any of the computers at the space are really up to running SW, but this is a bit outside of my field of knowlege.  These are the recommended requirements:
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html

We would have to find out what the commitments are to get any donation and commit at least one computer that can run it decently before we accepted anything.

[Austen P.]

I don't want to overpromise but I have taught SolidWorks before at the University level and currently work as tech support. I could, at the very least, be used as a technical resource.

[Steve Pilon]

The one computer that could one it is in the 3d printer lab.

[Mathew Melk (BOD At-Large)]

As far as i am aware the computer in the 3D Printing Lab should be able to meet the requirements to run this software.

stats as i remember them:
Lenovo desktop - ebay, area funds
i5
~8GB ram - dan, lending
120GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD - amazon, area funds
nvidia gtx 670 FTW - dan, lending
3D connexion navigator - donated to space by unknown member
big nice monitor that idk the specs of 1080? - mark (area champion)

This system was built for a few hundred dollars with area funds for use as
1. 3D print slicing (high power for complex slicing)
2. 3D modeling of parts for 3D printing (upgraded graphics to handle complex parts and dual screens for better workflow)
3. CAM generation for CNC mills or CNC routers
4. Other space use when not needed for any above ^ in that order.

with a quick ebay search i found:

Hp i7 2600 3.4 Ghz, 4GB ram $162.36 shipped      https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Compaq-8200-Elite-Mini-Tower-3-40GHz-Core-i7-2600-4gb-DDR3-DVD-RW/382297982104?epid=1433377038&hash=item5902bc4498:g:gbIAAOSwm3paHyW-

nvidia gtx 760 $75 shipped     https://www.ebay.com/itm/NVIDIA-GTX-760-2GB-EVGA-SuperClocked-Used/263380596155?hash=item3d52b4f5bb:g:YkUAAOSwWv5aLYpf

16 gb ram 106.40 shipped      https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hynix-16GB-4x4GB-PC3-10600-DDR3-1333MHz-240Pin-UDIMM-Desktop-Memory-For-Intel/272958624037?hash=item3f8d9a1125:g:Z6QAAOSwZlZaHSbS

kingston 120GB SSD $26.43 shipped    https://www.ebay.com/itm/120GB-SSD-V300-2-5-Internal-Solid-State-Drive-SSD-For-Kingston-New/152822261296?hash=item2394eaa630:g:VrcAAOSwNkJaLN03

so far we are at about $375 plus whatever else might be needed. some things can be found cheaper (add 1x4GB instead of replacing with 16gb). i spent less than 10 mins finding and collecting this. i spent more time on the 3D computer.

Mathew Melk
3D Printing Area Co-Champion

P.S. someone should check for compatibility as i just found approximates for the example and didn't check if they would work together.

[james4875]

Assuming getting free solidworks is on the table, I'm wondering what the training requirements would be (if any) and how many seats, trainers, classes, and computers would be needed to fulfill any training obligations.
If only one computer, I could do classes of three at MOST.  More than that, people are just not interacting with the software enough individually to really learn anything.  

Even if no requirement, I think there would be quite a few members interested in using it and getting training if they have no background to start.  

My initial on the job training consisted of doing the tutorials included in the seats of solidworks where I work, which are pretty decent.  Lots of other tutorials and books out there for self teaching.

Honestly, if I had a computer at  home that could handle solidworks, I'd join the EAA ($40/year) and get the seat included with membership.  When I need/want to use solidworks, I'm lucky enough to just use my work seat for stuff on lunch breaks or before/after work.  (After work is good, my boss sometimes thinks I'm staying late for a work a project and get "brownie points" that I shamelessly collect)

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/join-eaa/individual 

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-membership/eaa-member-benefits/solidworks-resource-center

If an NPO like MMS could join the EAA, maybe we could get a seat cheaply with no strings attached.  The downside is only one seat, but maybe a resource available to members at a small cost.  Members could post for help as needed.  I'd say we'd have to have at least one more computer mainly dedicated to solidworks in this case so the 3D printer users don't have to compete with solidworks projects.
We could simply have links on the wiki on accessing solidworks tutorials. 
If there is interest in the scenario, I will voluntteer to contact the EAA directly and ask about membership for the space.

Just some thoughts I figured I'd throw out there and see if anything "sticks". 

[Pete Prodoehl]

Does the EAA $40/year license allow for commercial work, or is it for educational/personal use only? (I'd assume the latter.)


Pete

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[Have Blue]

Educational/personal.  When you go through the registration process, you select EAA as your educational institution.

EAA memberships are for individuals - we wouldn't be able to get the space a membership AFAIK.

I recommend contacting GXSC, as they are the VAR that worked with EAA to make SolidWorks available to EAA members in the first place - maybe they can do something similar for MMS:  https://www.gsc-3d.com/software/

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[the_digital_dentist]

OnShape is sorta-free, cloud based, professional CAD written by the guys who did Solidworks, so it has a similar UI.  It runs in any web browser which means you can use it under Linux or even on your phone.  All the heavy lifting is done by their servers so you don't need much of a computer to run it.

[james4875]

That's interesting, thanks for bringing it up, I"ll look into that.

[Austen P.]

So I talked more in depth about this with my boss and he is still on board. I brought up the computer situation and he mentioned we have a bunch of computers in storage left over from our most recent renovations. 

I'm going to try to make it to Tuesday's meeting and perhaps I can discuss it further with some members of the board.

On Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 8:34:23 AM UTC-6, Austen P. wrote:

[james4875]

This is sounding better and better...

At this point I think it needs to get on the agenda for the BOD to discuss.  Not seeing a BOD meeting on the calendar for next Thursday (normally ever third Thursday, wondering if none this month due to holidays) so that may have to come up next month.  

[Pete Prodoehl]

Between holidays and people traveling we did decide to skip the December BOD meeting, but don't hesitate to email a proposal or start a discussion to in...@milwaukeemakerspace.org


Pete

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[Steve Pilon]

If you need someone to teach or help teach I can help out. Again I've had some classes on it. I'm a touch rusty but I'm sure if I sat down with it for an hour or two I'd be back up to speed.

[james4875]

Austen P. -
I'd like to see Solidworks (any level) at the space and computers that can use it.  Is this offer still open?
In the end, I think this needs to be proposed to the BOD at a meeting to at least start the discussion.  It's coming up this Thursday (sorry for short notice, these always take me by surprise). 
If you cannot be there in person to field questions, I'd like to see it be a topic to start discussions with.
Feel free to email the BOD or post on this group to add as a topic of discussion on Thursday with all info you have.
Thanks!

[Austen P.]

Yes, the offer is still active. I'm working on lining up ducks on my end; unfortunately it's not as simple as pulling a license number from a stack that's readily available to give away. I'll try to pull my boss aside today to see if there's any requirements he needs in place (i.e. training, no competing software on donated computers, etc).

Austen

[Steve Pilon]

Great to here! 

If we need to get a "new" workstation or two someone could donate something or we can go to the board with a "well match the donations people contribute" type of thing. 

I can still help train if need be. 

[Austen P.]

What time is the BOD meeting tonight? I'd like to be there to make the proposal.

On Monday, January 15, 2018 at 7:59:04 PM UTC-6, james4875 wrote:

[james4875]

I'ts at 7:00 in the craft lab.
They're on the third Thursday of every month.

[Have Blue]

I have a workstation that just came into my possession that I can donate:

Dell Precision T7500
Xeon X5647 (2.93GHz)
12 gig RAM
256 gig Samsung SSD
Quadro 4000 video card
Fresh install of Windows 10 Pro

It's old, but it should run SolidWorks acceptably for training purposes.

[Steve Pilon]

Blue,

The company donating the Solidworks seats will be providing new computers also. However if you wanted to donate that computer to replace a computer in the electronics area(like the one by the window) that would certainly be appreciated! 

[the_digital_dentist]

Or for CAD in the 3D printing area!

[Steve Pilon]

There is already a nice computer for cad and slicing in the 3d printing area. 

[the_digital_dentist]

But it could always be nicer!

[Have Blue]

Well, the first area champion to say "I will take it" gets dibs.

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[Steve Pilon]

As the cnc area champion I will take it! I will place it by the window in the electronics lab, there is various cnc software on that computer including Cambam and Vcarve. If other areas want to install software on it they are of course free to. 

[Steve Pilon]

When can you bring it in Blue? If im not there you can place it on the desk in the cnc room. 

[rocky53204 .]

The current incarnation of V-Carve allows 2 sided carving... that machine would be a hot rod for those designs.

On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 3:26 PM, Steve Pilon <spi...@gmail.com> wrote:

When can you bring it in Blue? If im not there you can place it on the desk in the cnc room. 

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[rocky53204 .]

Like this chess set...

http://shop.nextwaveautomation.com/shop/custom.aspx/chess-board/45/

On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 4:41 PM, rocky53204 . <53204...@gmail.com> wrote:

The current incarnation of V-Carve allows 2 sided carving... that machine would be a hot rod for those designs.

On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 3:26 PM, Steve Pilon <spi...@gmail.com> wrote:

When can you bring it in Blue? If im not there you can place it on the desk in the cnc room. 

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[Jerry HM]

dang.

 

thats nice!

 

I like it!

 

 

 

From: milwaukee...@googlegroups.com [mailto:milwaukee...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of rocky53204 .
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2018 4:45 PM
To: milwaukee...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [MakerSpace] Re: SolidWorks CAD License For Use at MMS?

 

Like this chess set...

http://shop.nextwaveautomation.com/shop/custom.aspx/chess-board/45/

 

 

On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 4:41 PM, rocky53204 . <53204...@gmail.com> wrote:

The current incarnation of V-Carve allows 2 sided carving... that machine would be a hot rod for those designs.

On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 3:26 PM, Steve Pilon <spi...@gmail.com> wrote:

When can you bring it in Blue? If im not there you can place it on the desk in the cnc room. 

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[Have Blue]

Not sure yet when I can bring it in - hopefully in the next few days.  I need to finally meet up with Dan to make my trivet...

On 2/12/2018 3:26 PM, Steve Pilon wrote:

When can you bring it in Blue? If im not there you can place it on the desk in the cnc room. 

[jason gessner]

i also have a spare nvidia gtx 970 that is available if someone wants to buy it.  I know prices are all over the map for GPUs right now, but if someone wants it for that machine, get in touch with an offer.

-jason

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-jason

[Steve Pilon]

The Quadro 4000 is better for this machine. If someone wants the GTX for themself go crazy!

[james4875]

Who is the champion for Solidworks?
I use it a lot at work, I'd be happy to help pitch in for training where I can.help with someone wanting help to work through say a "tutorial" - lots of those out there.  Note I am weak on things like NURBS and lofted surfaces, so I can be of little help there.  If the space has someone versed in that, I"d be interested in that training .