How Are We Supporting the Personal Journeys of Makers Around the World?

Dassault Systèmes provides 3D design, simulation, and product lifecycle management tools to over 25 million users worldwide. Through their SOLIDWORKS division and its core offering, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, they connect people, data, and processes to design and manage complex products and systems. Their tools support a broad range of industries—from aerospace and automotive to life sciences and construction—with sustainable innovation solutions that improve decision making and reduce environmental impact.

As firm believers that there is a maker in each of us, Dassault Systèmes supports hobbyists, DIY-ers, and digital fabrication enthusiasts of all kinds through their SOLIDWORKS for Makers offer. Providing full functionality of their 3D CAD tools at an affordable rate, the offer allows makers to explore sophisticated technology for non-commercial use with little obligation. In fact, anyone who is a member of a makerspace or Fab Lab can take advantage of the SOLIDWORKS for Makers offer for free, simply by completing an online form. This is just one of several ways that they are expanding access to the power of personal fabrication.

A longtime partner of the Fab Foundation and MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, Dassault Systèmes has directly supported a number of key community initiatives over the years, including annual FABx Events, Academany programs, the continued growth of the global Fab Lab Network, and the development of Fab-in-a-Box. The latter—an innovative, new learning product born of this partnership—was on proud display at FAB25 Czechia during an interactive workshop on Empowering Learning Spaces. Those in attendance had a chance to put their hands directly on the portable digital fabrication system to explore digital design, laser cutting, and 3D printing through curriculum-aligned lessons that enhance STEM learning, design thinking, and problem solving.

While in Czechia, the team sought to inspire a new generation of makers to bring novel ideas to life, design amazing products, or even launch their own startups. FAB25 attendees who stopped by the Dassault Systèmes booth in Prague learned about programs available for every single stage of that journey. And some lucky folks got a crash course in developing their CAD and 3D-printing superpowers by pairing SOLIDWORKS with Prusa printers to create amazing objects inspired by pop culture and science fiction. Thanks to all who attended!