French 3D software company Dassault Systèmes have announced at SolidWorks World 2017 the expansion of their 3DEXPERIENCE labs to North America.
Opening in May 2017 at Dassault Systèmes U.S headquarters near Boston, the laboratory is intended to support entrepreneurial projects in North America. The lab will provide companies with the capacity to expand through use of Dassault’s experts and their 3DEXPERIENCE software. The 3DEXPERIENCE software platform was recently made available for virtual reality application through the HTC Vive.
This announcement took place at SolidWorks World which was hosted by Dassault Systèmes in Los Angeles this week. Elsewhere at Solidworks World, Stratasys announced a new series of FDM 3D printers, the F123 range.
About 3DEXPERIENCE labs
The 3DEXPERIENCE lab is an “open innovation laboratory that merges collective intelligence with a cross-collaborative approach to foster entrepreneurship and innovation.” The labs provide companies or startups with the opportunity to grow with guidance and facilities provided by Dassault Systèmes. The projects are given one or two years in order to use the lab with the aim of advancing their product development.
The concept was created by the company back in 2015 with the first lab being implemented at their European headquarters in Paris, France. It seems now, the French company want to tap in to the entrepreneurial spirit in the U.S.A. This is shown as Bruno Latchague, Senior Executive Vice President of Global Field Operations explains,
North America has been a wellspring for some of the most impactful startup and entrepreneurial technological innovations of our time. By expanding the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab to North America, we hope to continue this tradition of invention by offering entrepreneurs, makers and startups unique resources to work on disruptive innovations, leverage collective intelligence and create an impact on society,
In order to be part of the 3DEXPERIENCE labs, a project must be created that meets the following criteria:
- Must have an impact on society as a whole
- Must act upon collective intelligence
- Be a breakthrough innovation
The new laboratory will also feature a digital fabrication space (fab lab) that has been created in collaboration with MIT. The fab lab will house 3D printers in order to create prototype products as well as advanced CAD software.
Featured image shows Dassault Systemes’ Waltham Campus near Boston. Photo via Dassault Systemes.
