Check it Out: SolidWorks’ Final Episode for the Ultimate CAD Chair Project

By Anthony J. Lockwood

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

Well, they did it. “They” being Jeremy Luchini and his collaborative band of merry MCAD mavens and engineering erudites. “It” being the first undertaking in the “Let’s Go Design” series of web-interactive design projects produced by SolidWorks. Not only did these people do it, they had a lot of fun doing it.

The project started out as the Ultimate CAD Chair – think a gamer’s or man-cave chair for design engineers. But through the suggestions, cajoling, and voting of the project participants, the Chair concept rapidly evolved into a CAD designer’s ultimate work cubicle. The finished product was just unveiled.

It’s awesome.

Think Mission Control Center for the MCAD user of tomorrow: Lighting controlled with military-grade toggle switches on the arm rest, a waterfall, a bank of three monitors, a modern drafting board, an HP Z800 workstation, 3D Connexion SpacePilot controller on the floating keyboard tray. The chair itself hovers above the floor and glides around on a gantry. Wireless iPhone control over major electronics.

Now, let’s be clear: There’s not a wisp of a chance that your boss is going to let you erect a work cubicle like this thing. But there is every chance that you as an engineer would love to have this as your work environment because people like you came together, designed, and built their ultimate work hang out. That’s one of the many points of the whole thing: When engineers work collaboratively and are free to be innovative, they can do some awesome things and have a lot of fun to boot.

Anyway, another project in the “Let’s Go Design” series will begin shortly. SolidWorks invites everyone to join – SolidWorks users or not – to see what engineers can do when left in charge of their creative juices.

But for now, hit the link over there and check out the final episode of the Ultimate CAD Chair Project. (BTW, all the episodes building up to the finale are there for those behind in their viewing.) The last episode in this first project is just a few minutes long and, as they would say in the Concord, MA, where SolidWorks is headquartered, it’s wicked awesome. You’ll love it.

Thanks, pal.—Lockwood

Anthony J. Lockwood
Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering

Check out the final episode of the Ultimate CAD Chair Project.