"F1 in Schools" and SURFCAM in the Czech Republic
by 3E Praha, Czech Republic SURFCAM Authorized Reseller
"F1 in Schools" is the biggest CAD/CAM project in Czech secondary schools. The goal of the competition is to attract high school students to study the sciences. During the competition, the students learn the principles of teamwork, time management, marketing and many other disciplines.
F1 in Schools is very closely related to Formula 1 racing and the competition is to design and market a Formula 1 race car. Students are required to prepare a concept design in any CAD system, construct the model out of balsa wood using a CNC milling machine with any CAM system, and to analyze the aerodynamics of their model. After this is completed, the students must also work on a team identity and marketing campaign for their model and then defend it before a group of experts in the fields of design, aerodynamics and technology marketing. Finally, students must race their cars against each other side-by-side along a 20-meter length of straight track.
The project, which has more than nine million students from over 30 countries, has a heavy reliance on CAD/CAM systems and the use of CNC machines for the students in the creation of their models as well as a need for understanding of aerodynamic analysis. 3E Praha Engineering, a SURFCAM Authorized Reseller, became involved with the project to aid students with these challenging technical issues.
With over 20 years of experience, 3E Praha has acted as a consultant to various teams. In addition to aiding the students, 3E Praha has offered its services to the Czech Republic division of F1 in Schools by helping to create the virtual wind tunnel needed for the aerodynamic analysis. 3E Praha was the supplier of both SolidWorks and SURFCAM CAD/CAM systems for the students to use in their design and creation of their models.
F1 in Schools is breathing new life into education within secondary schools. By offering students the ability to work outside the typical classroom environment, they are experiencing realistic lessons in the sciences.
Customer Testimonial
"Vantron has been involved with SURFWARE and SURFCAM since before the release of Microsoft Windows - a span of well over two decades. As Vantron has expanded, SURFWARE has helped us maintain a technical edge and has provided excellence in 3D software capability, allowing us to import and utilize NURBS surfaces before there were solids. We are now using two seats of Advanced 3 axis SURFCAM and a single seat of a 5-Axis SURFCAM. We utilize all aspects of our seats, 2 through 5 axis milling, as well as SURFCAM lathe and mill turn programming.
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"SURFWARE has facilitated an increase in shop productivity and overall shop growth. Because of this growth in our company, we are currently looking for experienced SURFCAM programmers and SolidWorks users in our company. The partnership between SURFCAM and SolidWorks has allowed us to have a smoother production line which allows Vantron to keep up with the demands of its customers. This has made a huge difference in Vantron's ability to double its shop size by 2011 and continue to expand its customer base. Thank You SURFWARE!"
-Leo Berger, Vantron Manufacturing (http://www.1stvantronengineering.com)
What's New in SURFCAM V5
SURFCAM V5 has been released to the public. This exciting release includes many new features, added functionality, and improvements
in the lathe package and 2- through 5-axis programming. Following are a few of the new features:
Roughing Multi-Pass routines
5-Axis Swarf
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5-Axis Swarf (Multi-Pass enabled)
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Plunge programming
4-Axis Cut
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4-Axis Cut (Plunge Roughing enabled)
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Morph pocketing toolpaths
4-Axis Swarf
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4-Axis Swarf (Morph Pocket enabled)
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New depth cut strategies
5-Axis Cut
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5-Axis Cut (Depth Cuts enabled)
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Automatic surface extensions
5-Axis Cut
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5-Axis Cut (Extend/Trim functions enabled)
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New 3-axis Z-Finish routines
Multiple Tool Rest Machining toolpaths
Viewable C-view planes for enhanced visualization
Selectable operations in the Operations Manager for posting
Set Axis/C-view gnome representation
Rotational x-axis
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Rotational y-axis
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Updated Lathe package
SURFCAM Backup Utility
TRUEMill Calculator