I have been following Oleg’s PLM Blog about advanced visualization, and wondering what robust, existing tools are out there to display data. I came across a few nice ones, but they all seem to be young and limited products. As I started thinking about what I would like to see, I realized that SolidWorks can do that.

Almost any parameter in SolidWorks can be driven by Excel, and then the only question is what do you want to vary for that particular data set? Revenue, time, and organization, translates into Height, Volume, Appearance, and Distance. 

 

3d representation gives an all new meaning to “Slicing the data”. 

Using a full-fledged 3D CAD system to display statistical data is a bit like riding your Ducati to pick up the mail. It’s not worth investing in one for precisely that purpose, but if you have one at your disposal it’s still worth the trip. Many companies that have PLM tools also have CAD tools at their disposal. It would be interesting to see things like lead time vs. inventory and projected sales displayed in some new formats. 

So, with 12 years of SolidWorks experience, you would think I could pass any exam SolidWorks throws at me, right? Well, um… that’s not true. In addition to the exams testing your understanding of the SolidWorks toolset, they also test your attention to detail, and execution speed. I’ve always been a “big picture” kind of girl, which is why it benefits society in general that I focus on engineering workflow and data management rather than designing Airplane components. (Not that I WON’T design aviation components, but I think it’s probably best if someone else were to check them afterwards.)

After passing the CSWP last year, I was one of many who had had mixed feelings when the CSWE was announced last year. Where once we were the best, suddenly there is another elite echelon to strive for. Heck, I’m a bit out of practice, and there is certainly no telling if I could even pass it. For now, my interim goal is simply to qualify to take it before SWW 2011. 

In order to qualify, you need to pass the CSWP and 3 advanced CSWP specialty exams. I think I’ll take Weldments, sheetmetal, and surfacing rather than Simulation or MoldTools. I don’t have Simulation, and I’ve never designed a Mold. 

I’m a big fan of weldments, and I think I’ll do that one first. I’ve already realized I’m not quite as good with 3D sketch relations as I thought I was.  I’ll try to put my insights into another post.