SolidWorks Corporation donates software to Glacier Society to help cut through design obstacles
Icebreaker would dispense desperately needed medical care to citizens in polar region countries
CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 18, 2006 - SolidWorks Corporation has donated SolidWorks® software to a non profit organization striving to turn a retired Coast Guard icebreaker into a medical ship delivering sorely needed health care to the polar region. The donation would help the Glacier Society perform better design work throughout the proposed three-year $300 million-plus project.
The project aims to resurrect the USS Glacier, active from 1954 to 1987, to provide medical and dental assistance to 4 million people, many indigenous and isolated, living near or above the Arctic Circle. The countries toward which this assistance is focused are the United States, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Russia.
The ship would carry doctors and nurses who would perform medical and dental checkups, vaccinations, prenatal care, diabetes/high blood pressure screening, substance abuse treatment/counseling, vision/hearing/dental care, walk-in emergency service, and environmental research for citizens in the region.
The USS Glacier was commissioned by the Navy on May 27, 1955. She was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1966 and in 32 years of total service made 29 trips to the Antarctic and 10 to the Arctic, steaming 914,050 miles.
SolidWorks software would be used to completely overhaul the Glacier's engine room and superstructure. As part of the process, the organization is currently measuring parts and assemblies throughout the ship and converting them into 3D digital models that can easily be manipulated in SolidWorks 3D CAD software.
"SolidWorks software is phenomenal. I was astounded when I saw what it could do," said Ben Koether, US Navy (retired), chairman of the Glacier Society, who served as navigator on the ship. "Our volunteer engineers say they prefer SolidWorks' 3D modeling, data compatibility, analysis, simplicity, and industry adoption level. SolidWorks software enables the team to efficiently execute all the activities needed to complete the final concept design. They are now working faster, smarter, and more productively."
The project plans would expand on the ship's fuel and food storage so the vessel can spend as long as three years at sea without external support. Deck-based helicopters would replenish crew and supplies in shorter intervals. The Glacier Society is currently working to secure financing for the project.
"It's gratifying to learn that engineers are demanding and relying on SolidWorks software to build a better ship," said Rainer Gawlick, vice president of worldwide marketing. "We wish them smooth sailing and best of luck in the rest of their mission."
About the Glacier Society
The mission of the Glacier Society is to provide assistance to the indigenous peoples in the Arctic Basin of the eight circumpolar countries by delivering needed medical care to remote coastal areas together with supporting polar medical and environmental research and conducting educational programs. These services will be delivered by the Glacier Society's restored and reconfigured former USS/USCGC Glacier to be known as the MV GLACIER GB4. For more information visit http://www.glaciersociety.org/.
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