Pro/Engineer

[wavinwayne]

I just enrolled in an introduction to Pro/Engineer class, and had my first class on Monday evening. Looks like this will be interesting to say the least.

I have used AutoCAD exclusively for the last 15 years in my profession, so 3D modeling software is a new ball game for me. I'm a clean slate, which I guess is good in a way.

If any of our BITOG engineer-types are using ProE in your job, please give any tips that you could for a newbie like myself, who's trying to learn it from scratch.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

I supported Pro/E thru version 20 or 21 with NT and HP-UX. What version are they on now? What platform(s) are you using it on?

 

[benjamming]

How long is the course? Worthwhile?
You've never piddled with SolidEdge either? I assume some Microstation though right?

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
I supported Pro/E thru version 20 or 21 with NT and HP-UX. What version are they on now? What platform(s) are you using it on?



Well, oddly enough, I didn't check out which version we'll be using. The first class was 2/3 lecture, followed by a short lab session. As far as I can tell, the computers we're using are running Windows XP. I'll check the version when I get home, and can take a look at the lesson book. Next class is Wed. evening.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
How long is the course? January 28 through March 5, 2008. Monday & Wednesday 5:00-8:00.

Worthwhile? Don't know yet.

You've never piddled with SolidEdge either? Piddled, yes. That's all.

I assume some Microstation though right? A LONG time ago. 2D only.


I've managed to make a living the last 15 years using 2D AutoCAD. That's coming to an abrupt end. Also, I am not an engineer. I am a mechanical designer, fwiw; I don't have an engineering degree......although I'm currently employed AS an engineer (go figure).

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
I supported Pro/E thru version 20 or 21 with NT and HP-UX. What version are they on now?...



OK, checked my user guide. It is Pro/E Wildfire 3.0. That's all I know at this point.

 

[tom slick]

I'm taking a 5 week solidworks class starting in 2 weeks, does that count?

 

[MolaKule]

Pro/E is a 3D "feature-based" solid modelling system. They had this system even before CATIA did. I used MECHANICA for many years which I believe is integrated into the system now.

You'll like it and it's pretty neat.

Mechanical designers are very needed and necessary people; don't sell yourselves short.

 

[MolaKule]

Pro/E also introduced "parametric modelling." A good thing too!

 

[wavinwayne]

Update:

I recently completed the third and final series of classes on Pro/E. I learned a ton. Whether or not I'll be able to find a job doing Pro/E work is anybody's guess at this time.

The third class series was on sheet metal. Believe it or not, that was the most difficult thing for me. Sheet metal is not as simple to model as it looks.

 

[Papa Bear]

I believe you, Wayne.
G.M. tried to bend some sheet metal when they built the Aztek and it didn't turn out right.

 

[MolaKule]

Way to go Wayne; congrats.

I think that maybe CATIA has the better sheet metal bending software, but I too found sheet metal bending kinda weird; you really have to think ahead about your bends, radii, metal guages (thicknesses), dimensional shrinkage due to bending, etc.

 

[jaj]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
Update:

Sheet metal is not as simple to model as it looks.


I did it for years on a drafting table with pencil and paper, including laying out the pre-form blanks for large sheet metal assemblies with holes and bendlines - and stuff DID fit when I was done. Then in 1984 I learned to do it on a Calma system with a Tektronix vector display (does anyone here know what the command "reg reg" means?)

Sheet metal IS easy to model, but it's an art, not a science...

 

[benjamming]

Wayne,

It seems you may be going out to the arsenal as they seem to love that software package.

SolidEdge does as much as we need at work. However, Pro/E is there if you need much more capability, you just pay for it (of course).

 

[wavinwayne]

benjamming,

Yes, Redstone Arsenal is my intended destination. Whether or not that will pan out - who knows? FWIW, I already do contract engineering work for Redstone, but not with Pro/E, it's all 2D AutoCAD right now. My employment situation is complicated (and boring). This past 6 months has been very interesting, though. I've gotten to work on some pretty cool projects for the US Army at Redstone, but I'm not allowed to talk about it, other than to say it has to do with missles.