Solidxperts Rides for Wishes: A Weekend of Giving Back at the 48-Hour Bike Ride

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Solidxperts Rides for Wishes: A Weekend of Giving Back at the 48-Hour Bike Ride

This past weekend, from September 20th to 22nd, Solidxperts was proud to take part in the annual 48-Hour Bike Ride, an extraordinary charity event organized by the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Held at the Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, the event brought together hundreds of riders, all pedaling towards a shared goal: to help grant life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses.

 

Why We Ride

At Solidxperts, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. For the third year running, our 2 teams of 6 riders jumped at the chance to participate in the Make-a-Wish bike ride, knowing that each kilometer we pedaled would bring hope and joy to children facing unimaginable challenges.

 

Team Solidxperts at the opening of the Make-a-Wish 48-Hour Bike Ride.

 

The Make-a-Wish Foundation’s mission resonates deeply with us. The organization grants wishes to children with serious medical conditions, providing them and their families with a beacon of hope during some of their darkest times. Whether it’s a dream vacation, meeting a celebrity, or becoming a superhero for a day, these wishes can be transformative for the children and their families, offering not only a brief escape but a lifelong memory of joy and empowerment.

 

The Event: A 48-Hour Challenge

This year’s event was nothing short of spectacular. Riders gathered at the ICAR Mirabel Circuit, a racetrack turned cycling course, where teams had 48 hours to take turns riding as many laps as possible. The event kicked off on the morning of Friday, September 20th, with an energetic opening ceremony, where riders heard directly from children whose lives had been changed by Make-a-Wish, setting the tone for a truly inspiring weekend.

 

Bikes, team flags, and tents lined up along side the ICAR racetrack the Make-a-Wish 48-Hour Bike Ride.

 

The Solidxperts team was all smiles as we donned our cycling gear, adorned with our company logo, and began our first lap. Each member took shifts throughout the weekend, riding through day and night to keep our teams going. There were moments of exhaustion, but with each pedal stroke, we were reminded of the greater purpose behind our ride—raising funds to grant wishes and changing lives.

 

A Few Stats from the Weekend

The 2024 edition of the Make-a-Wish 48-Hour Bike Ride was one of the largest yet, with over 3,000 riders in attendance, spread across over 500 teams.

Over the course of the weekend, our team completed nearly 2,000 collective kilometers on the track! We’re incredibly proud of this achievement, but more importantly, we’re thrilled to have been a part of an event that makes such a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.

 

Solidxperts team tent at the 2024 Make-a-Wish 48-Hour Bike Ride event in Mirabel, Quebec.

 

More Than Just Cycling

The 48-Hour Bike Ride was about more than just cycling. It was a community coming together, united by a shared cause. Between shifts, riders gathered to share stories, cheer each other on, and enjoy the family-friendly activities on-site. The event featured everything from food trucks and music to games for the kids.

 

Solidxperts team relaxing in the team tent between relay race stints at the 2024 Make-a-Wish 48-Hour Bike Ride event in Mirabel, Quebec.

 

For the Solidxperts team, these moments of camaraderie and connection were just as important as the hours spent on the bike. We met new friends, bonded with our teammates, and were continually inspired by the stories of the children whose wishes were being granted. Every interaction was a reminder of the profound impact the event has on so many lives.

 

The Power of Teamwork

The 48-Hour Bike Ride is a test of endurance, but it’s also a celebration of teamwork. Solidxperts has always valued collaboration in the workplace, and that same spirit was alive on the track. Team members took turns, strategizing our shifts to keep the momentum going, supporting each other when fatigue set in, and celebrating each milestone we reached together.

We couldn’t have done it without the dedication of every rider on our team, nor without the support of our friends and family who cheered us on from the sidelines. Special shoutout to the incredible event volunteers who kept us hydrated, fed, and motivated throughout the weekend!

 

Looking Forward to Next Year

As the event came to a close on Sunday, September 22nd, we were tired but filled with pride. The final laps were bittersweet as we reflected on the incredible journey we’d taken together, not just over the past 48 hours, but in the months of preparation and fundraising leading up to the event.

Though the 2024 edition of the 48-Hour Bike Ride has come to an end, the impact will last far beyond this weekend. We’re already looking forward to next year, eager to participate again and continue supporting the Make-a-Wish Foundation in their mission to bring hope, strength, and joy to children facing critical illnesses.

 

How You Can Help

The Solidxperts team may have completed our ride, but the need for support continues year-round. You, too, can make a difference!

If you’d like to donate, get involved, or learn more about the charity efforts, visit the event website at Make-a-Wish.ca.

The ride might be over, but our efforts won’t stop! Our fundraising continues, donate today through our official Make-a-Wish Foundation links below:

 

 

Thank You!

We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who supported us during this year’s 48-Hour Bike Ride. Whether you donated, cheered us on, or simply followed our journey, your support means the world to us—and to the children and families whose lives are forever changed by the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Stay tuned for more updates from Solidxperts as we continue to find ways to give back and make a difference in our community. Until next time, keep riding for a cause!

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    The Rise of Robot-as-a-Service: Revolutionizing Business Automation

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    The Rise of Robot-as-a-Service: Revolutionizing Business Automation

    Introduction

    Robot(ics)-as-a-Service, or RaaS for short, is an emerging business model that works kind of like how you subscribe to apps or online services, but for robots. This innovative approach offers robotic automation solutions on a subscription basis, allowing companies to harness the power of advanced robotics without the hefty upfront investment. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), RaaS presents an exciting opportunity to stay competitive and agile in a dynamic market.

    Industries that make stuff, sell stuff, or help keep us healthy are jumping on this trend to better automate tasks while keeping costs down.

     

    What is Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS)?

    Robots sorting, packing, and transporting goods around a warehouse

     

    RaaS provides businesses with access to robotic systems through a subscription model. It mixes old-school robotics with new tech like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing to make it easier and cheaper for businesses of all sizes to get into automation.

    Instead of purchasing and maintaining robots, companies can rent them, paying regular fees that cover the cost of the machines, maintenance, software updates, and support services.

    This approach offers scalability, reduced risk, and access to the latest robotic technologies, making automation more accessible and cost-effective.

     

    The Growing Importance of RaaS in Business Automation

    RaaS offers a cost-effective, scalable solution for businesses to improve efficiency and agility in a dynamic market. Thanks to its inherent flexibility and growth potential, it allows businesses to optimize their operations without high upfront costs, using a subscription or usage-based model.

     

    A simple robotic arm in a manufacturing setting positioned in front of an empty conveyor belt

     

    Also, RaaS adapts to changing market conditions, enabling quick adjustments in robotic resources and maintaining predictable costs. Providers handle maintenance, upgrades, and support, ensuring the latest technology is always in use.

     

    Exploring the Benefits of RaaS for Businesses

    RaaS makes it easier and more cost-effective for businesses to leverage advanced robots. Businesses can boost productivity and flexibly adapt how they operate to keep up with highly competitive markets.

     

    Cost Efficiency and Scalability

    By adopting a RaaS model, organizations find it simpler to make their processes more efficient and bring in new automation ideas. Predictable costs make it easier for new businesses to start using this technology, and services can be tailored specifically to what each business needs.

    Also, RaaS allows businesses to scale their robotic operations up or down based on their needs. This flexibility is particularly useful for industries with fluctuating demands, such as manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

     

    Enhanced Productivity and Operational Flexibility

    At the heart of the RaaS model, you’ll find a big boost in how much work gets done and how flexible operations can be. With RaaS on their side, companies can smooth out their processes, become more efficient, and quickly adjust when their customer wants and needs change.

     

    Impact of RaaS on Key Industries

    Manufacturing

    RaaS revolutionizes manufacturing by enabling SMEs to automate production lines, reducing labor costs and increasing efficiency. With flexible subscription models, companies can scale their robotic workforce based on demand, ensuring optimal productivity without significant capital expenditure.

     

    Warehousing and Logistics

    In warehousing and logistics, RaaS can streamline operations by automating tasks such as sorting, packing, and transportation. This leads to faster order fulfillment, reduced errors, and improved inventory management, essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the fast-paced e-commerce sector.

     

    Healthcare

    RaaS can enhance healthcare delivery by providing robotic assistance in surgeries, rehabilitation, and patient care. These advanced robotic solutions can improve precision, reduce recovery times, and increase the overall quality of care, making them invaluable assets for healthcare providers.

     

    Aerospace and Defense

    In aerospace and defense, RaaS supports complex manufacturing processes and maintenance tasks. Robotic systems can handle intricate assembly operations, conduct inspections, and perform maintenance in hazardous environments, improving safety and efficiency.

     

    A small robot performing maintenance on a commercial airplane in an empty hangar

     

    How SOLIDWORKS Supports RaaS Adoption for SMEs

    The SOLIDWORKS portfolio offers a comprehensive suite of tools that can support SMEs in adopting an RaaS model:

     

    1. SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD: Essential for designing robotic components and systems, SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD allows for precise modeling and assembly, ensuring robust and efficient robotic solutions.
    2. SOLIDWORKS Simulation: This tool enables SMEs to test and validate robotic designs under real-world conditions, ensuring reliability and performance before deployment.
    3. SOLIDWORKS Electrical: By integrating electrical systems with mechanical designs, SOLIDWORKS Electrical ensures seamless functionality and reduces the complexity of robotic systems.
    4. SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management): Managing design data and documentation, SOLIDWORKS PDM ensures version control and collaboration, crucial for developing and maintaining robotic systems.
    5. SOLIDWORKS Manage: Providing advanced data management capabilities, SOLIDWORKS Manage helps SMEs oversee the lifecycle of robotic systems, from development to deployment and maintenance.
    6. SOLIDWORKS Composer: This tool aids in creating technical documentation, ensuring that RaaS clients have access to clear instructions for operating and maintaining robots.
    7. SOLIDWORKS Visualize: High-quality rendering and visualization capabilities of SOLIDWORKS Visualize help create compelling marketing materials and presentations, essential for promoting RaaS offerings.

     

    Tips and Strategies for Successful RaaS Deployment

    An android automaton sitting in an office meeting room, appearing thoughtful

     

    To make sure a RaaS setup works well, companies need to think about a few key things. First off, they should really look into what they specifically need and want to achieve, then pick a RaaS provider that has the right robots and tech for those needs.

    It’s also crucial to get how the service model and pricing work with the chosen provider. This means looking at initial costs, ongoing fees for subscriptions, and any extra charges that might pop up.

    On top of this, it’s important for businesses to train their employees so everyone knows how to use these robotic tools properly. And don’t forget about keeping in touch with your RaaS provider regularly; talking things through can help sort out any bumps along the way during setup or later on down the line.

    By following these steps and using robotics within an appropriate service model, businesses can effectively use RaaS to achieve successful automation.

     

    Conclusion

    By leveraging the SOLIDWORKS software portfolio, SMEs can design, simulate, and manage robotic systems effectively, facilitating the adoption of the RaaS model. This not only democratizes access to cutting-edge robotic technology but also empowers SMEs to enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive in their respective industries.

    Embracing RaaS with the support of SOLIDWORKS tools can unlock new levels of innovation and productivity, enabling SMEs to thrive in an increasingly automated world.

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      Defying Limitations: Bowhead Corporation, SOLIDWORKS, and the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

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      Defying Limitations: Bowhead Corporation, SOLIDWORKS, and the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

      Christian Bagg, co-founder of Bowhead Corporation, is an admitted adrenaline junkie and outdoor enthusiast. After a snowboarding accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, all Bagg could think about was returning to his “normal” activities. His passion drove him to invent a mountain bike that accommodated the inability to use his legs. Although he was psyched to get back in the saddle again, another life-changing event lay just around the corner.

      Bagg loaned one of his bikes to a camp for disabled children. There he witnessed a 14-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who rarely spoke, return excited and energized from her first-ever experience of complete freedom on a bike. “Best day of my life!” she exclaimed. Her incredible joy galvanized Bagg’s mission: His company, Bowhead Corporation, would make access to mountain trails, woodland hikes, and the beauty of the great outdoors a reality for people around the world who have disabilities.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88KPf6_Tq2A

       

      Designs Evolve as Company Grows

      With SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, Bowhead Corp. introduced its innovative hybrid ATV/mountain bike a year ahead of schedule. Along with streamlining design efficiency, SOLIDWORKS Simulation enabled the Bowhead team to reduce its need for prototypes, which helped the company produce the bike with dramatically lower costs.

       

      The first Bowhead Reach bike was delivered in November 2018. The company quickly learned that some riders were jumping over obstacles while sailing the bike up to eight feet in the air.

       

      Bowhead Corporation, SOLIDWORKS, and the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

       

      This prompted Bowhead to modify the base design by beefing up the shock absorber. It also replaced the throttle and braking controls with forearm paddles and built helmet-mounted bite throttles for use by quadriplegics.

       

      “Now we have three bikes. We [also] have customer service, operations, engineering, and inventory management,” says Bagg. “SOLIDWORKS plays a role in every piece of our company.”

       

      The growing company needed a data management and collaboration solution to continue working as an efficient and unified team.

       

      Everyone on the Same Page

      With 800 to 900 parts, Bowhead bikes are complex. “The [cloud-based] 3DEXPERIENCE platform became a way to manage an engineering company, not just to engineer the parts,” notes Bagg. “It was a funny moment realizing … that SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform were more than just engineering tools,” he recalls. “They became this sort of marriage counselor between operations and customer service and engineering. It was a way for everyone to look at a problem in a focused manner and then deal with it as a team.”

       

      Bowhead Corporation, SOLIDWORKS, and the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

       

      Modifications during product development can originate from the shop floor, designers, managers, and even customers. “When you are working with a complex product like ours, it is very important that you stay on top of the changes,” says Mechanical Engineer Sanket Patil. “A simple change affects everything, be it in your assembly or processes.”

       

      The browser-based aspect of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform brings familiarity to any user who accesses the internet. “One of the things that I really enjoyed was giving access to the platform to non-CAD users who needed access to it because they do so much with the data,” notes Patil. “I didn’t have to hold their hand [or teach them anything]. I sent them a link where they created their user credentials, and they started using the system like pros from day one.”

       

       

      “You find different ways of using the tool that wouldn’t be obvious to an engineer. By using 3DEXPERIENCE, things become less obscure, and everyone starts speaking the same language. As a communication tool, we finally have one way to bring everybody together.”

      -Christian Bagg, co-founder of Bowhead Corporation

       

      Control As a Positive Force

      Managing all product data, parts, inventory, and bills of material is critical for Bowhead’s operational efficiency, collaboration, and success.

       

      VP of Engineering Roger McPherson notes, “… to maintain the quality of our product, control is really important. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform has been useful for us in that way. We must make sure that our changes—and they come from everywhere—are managed whether from builders, customers, quality, or suppliers. We must manage that [data in an automated way].”

       

       

      “All of our data is on the platform,” adds Patil. “We use the maturity states to control if a particular document or a part file or a drawing is being worked or if it’s released. This helps us to understand what is in the latest revision or what is the latest state of a drawing or a file.” Before using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Bowhead’s revision control was basically renaming a part file to something like “revision 1.11.2,” or “FINAL final revision.”

       

      Great Communication Prevents Delays

      Clear communication eliminates confusion and prevents duplicate or missed work, which improves productivity and speeds up the development process. When information is shared openly and effectively, all team members can make informed decisions faster and more effectively.

       

      “As you grow your company, you really must grow the way you communicate. Having a cohesive, one-stop shop for communication has been, from a management side, the biggest addition of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to the SOLIDWORKS engineering platform,” says Bagg.

       

       

      For example, the company’s assembly team can now see inside the glass doors of an engineering room, so they feel like part of the engineering team. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables all key departments to give feedback on the design earlier in the process, which can help prevent misunderstandings and associated delays downstream.

       

      Secure and Easy File Sharing

      “We quite frequently share information (3D data and 2D drawings) with external stakeholders [via the 3DEXPERIENCE platform],” says Operations Specialist Tatiana Place. Some suppliers use the files to produce Bowhead parts. Others use 2D drawings to supplement the 3D model. Bowhead also sends files to a firm that supports the company’s engineering change processes when Bowhead’s in-house team needs additional help.

       

       

      Place loves how the 3DEXPERIENCE platform has replaced cumbersome and confusing email communications and supports its collaboration with suppliers. “[The platform] has enabled us to amplify our workforce and continually innovate the rate that we come up with ideas,” concludes Place. “I can’t imagine a world without 3DEXPERIENCE right now.”

       

      If you’d like more information about how the 3DEXPERIENCE platform can improve your data management, collaboration, and communication, contact our dedicated team of Xperts to learn how to make the platform part of your SOLIDWORKS workflow.

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        Down and Dirty with Additive Manufacturing – Think twice before slamming that toilet seat!

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        Down and Dirty with Additive Manufacturing – Think twice before slamming that toilet seat!

        Written by Steven Murphy – SolidXperience Applications Engineer

         

        We are always striving to find new ways to leverage the flexibility of additive manufacturing, so when a toilet seat hinge decided it had been slammed for the last time there was only one thing to do!  

        After modeling up the bracket in SOLIDWORKS, I couldn’t stop thinking if there was a good way to know if a 3D printed component was going to be strong enough? Conventionally, 3D printed components have a bad reputation for being brittle. So with nothing to lose, I dove into SOLIDWORKS Simulation: The Results?

        The first thing I looked at was comparing a conventional 3D printing material such as ABS to the Markforged Nylon White materialand the results are pretty straightforward (let’s just say if I don’t want to be remaking this part again in the near future – I used the Nylon White!) 

         

        also approximately simulated using the Markforged continuous fiber material with the chopped carbon fiber thermoplastic Onyx– but it was frankly overengineered. Once I realized that I was designing the bracket for a professional weightlifter to “clean and jerk” lift with the seat at 8,000N of force, I decided it was time to move on to printing the original Nylon White design 

        Drop the STL model into the MARKFORGED Cloud EIGER software, and it is ready to be printed! And even though I simplified the simulation process with assumptions, the worst-case scenario is I have to reprint the part for a couple of hours!

         

         

        And just like that, I replaced a household component in no time. Take a look at the end result: 

         

         

        Additive manufacturing is reshaping the way that conventional device repair works- by decreasing the time waiting for parts, you can get back to the truly important tasks in life. And that applies to machines and fixtures just as much as it applies to a toilet.

         

        For more information on our Simulation software solutions or our wide range of 3D printers and materials, contact an Xpert today!

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