June SW Legion Contest analysis (Part 3) – No July Contest

There will be no July SW Legion contest.  I’m planning on something a bit bigger for August and September, so for now, I’ll take a month’s break from contests.  June SW Legion Contest was very successful. As promised, I’m going to discuss some of the variety of entries. There are many ways to approach modelling in SolidWorks.  This the June SW Legion Contest is proof of that.

One of the more interesting scalene ellipsoid model entries was technically not a solid model.  Rather, it was a Surface-Loft, with three sketches (each with an ellipse in the proper proportions), by Ian Vivero.  This was the most functional of all scalene entries because it effectively used equations to drive the shape with one dimension value.

Of the scalene submissions, Matt Lombard’s was the simplest, with one Loft and one cleaver 3D sketch.  The problem is that I was not able to confirm its scaleneness.  The shape did not fall exactly along ellipses in all three directions.  This entry relied on the default SolidWorks choices for a lofted shape.  It was very close, however.

Two entries used exactly the same methodology: a simple revolve of a half circle that was then scaled in the appropriate proportions in X, Y and Z directions.  Very simple and cleaver.  These submittees were Cam Shute and Gary Liptrot.

Another cleaver entry that also had only three elements was by Arash Erfanian (unofficial winner who earned a CSWSP-FEA test).  This entry was one Sweep feature with one 2D sketch and one 3D sketch.

Other entries that were equally cleaver, but with more elements.  This included one entry that used another method with Surface-Loft and mirror features.

Two entries relied of the fact that I did not word my contest properly.  True to my word the one legitimate entry does represent the official winner of the contest, Sandeep Pawar (who chose a CSWP test as the prize).

And the June SW Legion Contest winner is… (Part 2)

There are two winners for the June SW Legion Contest.  The official winner (Sandeep Pawar) and the unofficial winner (per the unstated and unofficial though originally intended rules) is Arash Erfanian.   Three individuals produced verifiable scalene ellipsoids with only three elements.  One individual used two sketches and one feature (3 elements total).  Two other individuals used one sketch and two features (also 3 elements total).  These made cleaver use of the scale feature.  After a suprizingly quick game of email roshambo, Arash came out on top, earning himself a CSWSP-FEA test.  Congrats to Arash.  He knows his scalene ellipsoids, and he knows how to play a mean game of roshambo.

As mentioned before, I received 11 submissions.  One submission was of a model that only had one 3D sketch and one feature (2 elements).  However, I was not able to confirm its scaleneness.  The solution was cleaver though; leave it to Matt Lombard to come up with such a simple approximation.  One of the other submissions was a surface model (not solid).  Unfortunately, it had more elements than the solid model submissions.

I don’t have access to the submissions at this moment.  When I do, I will go into further details about how everyone accomplished the goal.  I am not amazed by the variety of submissions.   I was surprizes at some of the methods employed.

And the June SW Legion Contest winner is… (Part 1)

The June SW Legion Contest asked the brave ones among us to provide the very simplest ellipsoid within Solidworks.  It turned out that the rules where a little too general.  In my excitement to announce this contest, I failed to specify that I was looking for scalene ellipsoids, not just any old sphere.  I also left off the detail that I wanted a fully defined solid model.

Due to this oversight, I will be awarding two CSWP tests this month.  One test will go to the person that technically fulfilled the initial requirements.  The second test will be awarded to the person that produced the simplest scalene ellipsoid.

June SW Legion Contest has received eleven entries from ten individuals.  A couple of entries were just for fun.  One was a PDF of a model created in AutoCAD, and the other was a simple sphere submitted by a fellow blogger (who himself is giving away CSWPs, so does not need another one from me).  Technically, his entry would’ve tied with the other entry that used the same method to create a Prolate spheroid.

The easiest way to make a sphere or similar object in SolidWorks is to have a single sketch of an arc that is then revolved.  We have one serious entry that used this method by Sandeep Pawar.  He has requested the CSWP test.  Best of luck, Sandeep, and congratulations!

I have further review to undertake in order to declare a victor for the search for the simplest scalene ellipsoid SolidWorks model among the entries.  I have four very compelling entries which I’m currently looking over.  More details to come.

June SW Legion Contest: Create an Ellipsoid model

The June SW Legion Contest is a different kind of challenge!  The task is to submit the simplest SolidWorks model of an ellipsoid possible.  The person with the least combined number of features and sketches wins.  Use of equations is highly encouraged. 

The submitter must be the author of the file they submit. 

Contestants may email their entry to me at my email address by the end of July 6, 2009 PDT.

Ellipsoid

The prize is one CSWP test of your choice (CSWA, CSWP, CSWP Sheetmetal, CSWSP FEA, etc).   

Past winners of the Legion Contest are eligible.  In the event of a tie, tie breaker will be in the form of email roshambo.

Best of luck to everyone!

And the May Contest winner is…

The winner of the May Contest is Deepak Gupta! The contest was to see who could list the highest number of SolidWorks related forums not currently listed at Lorono’s SolidWorks Resources.  The contest itself generated over 70 comments, with about 65 or so submissions.  I am personally amazed by the total number of submissions. 

For his efforts, Deepak wins a CSWSP-FEA test.  From the SolidWorks website,

“The Certified SolidWorks Professional Simulation Specialist exam is designed to test an individual’s complete understanding of Simulation tools inside SolidWorks. Candidates who successfully pass this certification exam have demonstrated the ability to set up, run, and examine the results of various types of Simulation scenarios. They also have demonstrated the ability to interpret the various results available to them in SolidWorks Simulation.”

Best of luck to you, Deepak.  I’ll send you the info for taking your test by the end of the week.  I hope you pass with flying colors! 

Honorable mention goes to Frank Dijkstra.

The June Contest will be announced next week. Best of luck to everyone!

May Contest becomes a battle

May Contest has grown into a bit of a battle between Deepak Gupta and Frank Dijkstra. I must say the response is a bit more than I expected.  There are certainly a lot of SolidWorks related online forums.  The winner is a long way from being determined.  Even with all of their combined contributions (many of which has surprized me), I can comfortably say there are forums they haven’t found yet.  Who will come out on top?  Sitting on the sidelines is Matt West who has shown interest in submitting many of his own links.  I have to wonder if the uniqueness his list has been diminished as a result of Deepak’s and Frank’s efforts.  I guess we’ll soon see.