PONTIAC, MI, June 21, 2018 – DASI Solutions, in conjunction with Cranbrook Institute of Science, SAE, Baker College and DelRay Technologies, will be conducting a week-long STEM summer camp this June, geared toward middle school students who are interested in engineering and design.

The Engineering & Innovation Camp will teach students about science, technology, engineering & math through real-world experiments and challenges. They will receive 10 hours of SOLIDWORKS CAD training and learn how CAD designs can be used in real world situations. During the camp, students will have the opportunity to tackle hands-on activities, receive CAD training, receive 1-on-1 mentorship with skilled engineering professionals, and further develop their problem-solving skills.

Projects and lessons that will be conducted during the camp will be design focused. Students will be participating in learning experiments that will test both scientific and engineering principles, some of which include:

• Egg Drop Challenge
• Construction of Trebuchet
• Jet Car Races
• Hotwheel Ramp Design
• 3D Printing
• Pegboard Marble Run

As a result of the skilled trade’s gap becoming more prominent within the manufacturing and engineering industries, STEM focused initiatives have been on the rise in an effort to bridge the deficit and foster interest in these careers. Annette Norris, Early Engagement Manager at DASI Solutions, works every day within the K-12 & Career Tech Education space, and is heavily involved in bringing to light the varied STEM opportunities that are available to our youth. “Starting our youth young, and exposing them to Science, Technology, Engineering & Math as much as possible is key in helping replenish the future workforce. We need to expose the young minds to the possibilities available to them and help them prepare for the next decade.”

Moving forward, DASI plans to leverage the summer camp, as well as the collaboration, as a blueprint for future STEM outreach activities. Broadening the STEM engagement within the surrounding region is vital for the future growth and success of the industry. “At DASI Solutions, we believe that preparing the next generation is the key to everyone’s long term success. Our hope is to inspire and encourage the younger generation to follow career paths in engineering and manufacturing and become the future generation of great innovators,” said David Darbyshire, Co-owner of DASI Solutions.

For more information about the STEM Summer Camp, or to register your child, please visit https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/programs/summer-camp-2018 or contact Annette Norris at annette@dasi-solutions.com.

About DASI Solutions: Founded in 1995, DASI Solutions assists Emerging Sector companies in the implementation of 3D CAD and other collaborative technologies used in the product development process by the Designing Engineer. DASI Solutions offers sales, technical support and training for the SOLIDWORKS software product portfolio, as well as 3D Printing services for additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping. The company, which has its headquarters in Pontiac, MI, has facilities throughout Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan and Missouri. For more information on the company, visit www.dasisolutions.com, or contact Richard or David Darbyshire, brothers and Co-Owners, at 248-333-2996. 

PONTIAC, MI, July 31, 2018 – DASI Solutions, a leading provider of SOLIDWORKS engineering software solutions and training, and ExactFlat, the leading provider of 3D to 2D digital patterning software, announce a collaboration intended to streamline the upholstered furniture design and manufacturing workflow. 

The collaboration will emphasize a 100% digital workflow, designed to save designers and manufacturers time and simplify the process of making changes at any stage of production. 

Furniture designers and manufacturers have typically had one workflow for mechanical components such as wood, metal, springs, etc. and a separate workflow for fabric and upholstery components. Each process was supported by separate software: 3D software for the mechanical parts, and 2D patterning software for the fabric parts. Neither application shared data with the other, resulting in error-prone manual processes, and reduced time-to-market. 

With SOLIDWORKS and ExactFlat, furniture designers and manufacturers can now shift the entire workflow to a single, integrated digital process. Teams can design the entire furniture piece in 3D using the best-in-class capabilities in SOLIDWORKS. Mechanical pieces can be created and then the fabric or leather components can be designed in context with these structural parts. Working with the same tool simplifies training and support, as well as eliminates design conversion and re-creation issues. 

In addition to the interdepartmental collaboration advantages, this cross-component relationship is completely associative. This fully digital workflow allows design changes to the mechanical parts to be reflected immediately in fabric pattern and vice versa.

"DASI is an ideal company to collaborate with in this area since they are experts with the SOLIDWORKS and ExactFlat software solutions, as well as their customers’ manufacturing processes,” stated Mark Jewell, founder of ExactFlat. "Our clients want to work with experienced people that can help them achieve their goals. We have worked alongside DASI to assist other clients in the furniture industry, and we are delighted to be collaborating with them to help manufacturers in this industry continue to succeed." 

David Darbyshire, Co-Owner of DASI Solutions said, "Many companies have already been using 3D design technologies for many years, but are now looking for additional ways to further leverage that investment throughout their entire organization.  A single integrated digital workflow is no longer optional, it is essential. Furniture manufacturers can now make the full transition to digital with confidence and trust. Our vision is to utilize this partnership with ExactFlat to define, develop and deploy the right set of tools and services to allow our customers to take full advantage of the digital workflow."

To learn more about DASI Solutions & the SOLDIWORKS 3D CAD product suite, please visit www.dasisolutions.com. For more information about ExactFlat, please visit www.ExactFlat.com.

About ExactFlat
ExactFlat is 3D to 2D software for pattern making. For designers, engineers, and pattern makers in all industries, ExactFlat is the most accurate 3D to 2D pattern making software for textiles and composites. ExactFlat is up to 16x faster than hand patterning. It uses the first ever Digital Fabric Simulation for superior accuracy.

Contact:
Mark Jewell
Mark.jewell@exactflat.com
+1 (705) 670-4459

PONTIAC, MI, November 13, 2018 – DASI Solutions is excited to announce the graduation of its first two grant-funded apprentices. The two individuals received their Journeyman’s Card and were celebrated during one of DASI’s annual SOLIDWORKS Launch Events last week.

In partnership with Focus: HOPE & JAMA (Jackson Area Manufacturers Association), DASI Solutions was awarded a Federal Grant - in the amount of $3 Million - as part of the American Apprenticeship Initiative. The purpose of the Initiative is to help close the growing skilled trades gap in Michigan by connecting employers with the next generation of skilled workers and preparing them for careers in the Advanced Manufacturing & Information Technology fields.

DASI’s Industrial Design Technician Apprenticeship Program was created to offer training & provide workers with advanced skillsets to meet the specific needs of employers. It is a 2-year program that combines classroom & on-the-job components, as well as a mentoring or “give-back” project to wrap up the final year.  

The graduation took place just before the fourth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), a week dedicated to celebrating all apprenticeships across the nation. NAW has grown exponentially over the past few years, and has really turned into a “movement”, with an average of 200,000 people attending nearly 2,000 events across 50 states each year! “These apprentices have worked hard taking classes and completing their Capstone Project over the past 2 years,” said Annette Norris, Early Engagement Manager at DASI. “We are pleased to award them with their US Department of Labor certified Certificate of Completion.”

Both individuals who graduated from DASI’s program have employment in the Technology field - one graduate being an Associate Professor – Business & Technology, and the other a Lead Mechanical Engineer for a major Robotics company. The DASI Apprenticeship Program was designed to be a flexible training option for CAD users in all walks of life, as shown in the diverse background of the recent graduates. The professor enrolled in the program to make sure his skills & curriculum are up to industry standards, so his students have the best chance for success within their field. The lead engineer had his master’s degree prior to enrolling but understood the opportunity that this apprenticeship offered. He was able to advance his skills within the software, becoming a subject matter expert within his department. The program is a great foundation of learning, with room to adapt to fit the industry’s and the individual’s needs.

“Apprenticeship programs are the catalyst for a hardworking and empowered workforce. A company that invests in training an employee, creates an employee who is invested in that company,” Adam Majkowski, Apprenticeship Specialist at DASI Solutions, explained.

To learn more about DASI’s Industrial Design Technician Apprenticeship Program, contact Annette Norris at annette@dasi-solutions.com.