Catalog Data Solutions Supports FIRST Robotics Teams

By DE Editors

Catalog Data Solutions (CDS), a provider of online product selection tools for industrial suppliers, has announced the availability of online CAD libraries of PTC Creo Elements/Pro (formerly called Pro/ENGINEER) models for the FIRST 2010-2011 high school programs: FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC).

Creo Elements/Pro is PTC’s 3D parametric CAD/CAM/CAE software. PTC has modeled the FRC and FTC’s Kit of Parts and, with CDS, made it available to the competing teams through an online CDS catalog for drag and drop download directly into Creo Elements/Pro.

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 of the FIRST Robotics Competition. PTC is also the CAD and Collaboration sponsor for FTC. In addition to Creo Elements/Pro, all participating teams have the opportunity to use Windchill, PTC’s PLM software for team collaboration, Mathcad for creating and sharing engineering calculations, and Creo Elements/View (formerly called Productview) for visual collaboration. 

“The annual FIRST competition encourages both practical collaboration and product design skill development in designers of the future. It has also proven to be an inspiring experience for all the students, coaches,  mentors, volunteers and sponsors,” says John Major, CEO of Catalog Data Solutions. “At CDS we’re delighted to continue our support of PTC’s sponsorship by enabling the online CAD model libraries are for the use of all competing teams with our CDS Catalog and CDS ModelServer technology.”

For more information, visit FIRST, Catalog Data Solutions, Inc. and PTC.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.