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CAD Libraries for FIRST Robotics Teams Are Available Online

ControlDesign.com
03/05/2009

Two online CAD libraries of PTC Pro/Engineer models for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) high school programs—FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) are now available. Pro/Engineer is PTC’s 3D parametric CAD/CAM/CAE software. PTC has modeled the FRC and FTC kits of parts and, with CDS, made it available to the competing teams through an online CDS catalog for drag and drop download directly into Pro/Engineer.

FIRST strives to engage students in grades K-12 in exciting and innovative programs designed around the use of robotics to develop science and technology skills and motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering. PTC is a sponsor and the highest level supplier—Crown level—of the FIRST Robotics Competition. PTC is also the CAD and Collaboration sponsor for FTC. All participating teams have the opportunity to use PTC’s Windchill content and process management software, PTC’s Pro/Engineer and Mathcad engineering calculation software schools editions, and PTC’s ProductView visual collaboration software.

“The FIRST competition is a highly educational and inspirational experience for all participants—students, coaches, mentors, volunteers and sponsors. The practical collaboration and product design is helping to develop the skilled technology workforce of the future” says John Major, CEO of Catalog Data Solutions, which made to tools available online.

Robin Saitz, senior vice president and executive sponsor for PTC’s partnership with FIRST, says: "With direct access to the FIRST CAD Library from within Pro/Engineer, FIRST students and mentors can quickly search for specific parts and download the CAD models. Because FIRST teams have only a few short weeks to design their robots, quick access to the kit of parts models lets the teams focus on robot design rather than modeling standard components. We are happy to work with CDS to bring these Pro/Engineer models to FIRST teams worldwide."