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Colorado State Expands Product Design Training

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 03/27/14

Colorado State University (CSU) will be expanding its product design instruction previously given primarily to engineering students out to the broader community. The university is launching a new certification program that will use resources provided by PTC, a company that works with manufacturers to improve their design, production and service processes.

The Fort Collins institution already uses the company's product design software with undergraduate mechanical engineering students. Now it has become a PTC "Authorized Training Partner." That designation will allow the university and its faculty to train people who want continuing education and professional development alternatives. The training will focus on PTC's computer-aided design suite, Creo, and Windchill, the company's collaboration software.

For example, this month the school will offer a $1,500 three-day class on Creo. The first day will cover the basics, the second day intermediate usage, and the third day advanced techniques. The initial projections expect the university to run eight to 10 courses each year if they prove of interest.

"With our state-of-the-art facility, links to industry and specially equipped engineering computer labs, becoming a PTC Authorized Training Partner in order to expand the curriculum and technology into the community was a natural fit," said Patrick Burns, dean of libraries and vice president for IT.

Added Adjunct Faculty member Barry Brinks, "The training program CSU offers with PTC is unique. For the first time we are showing not just the basics of how PTC Creo CAD software can be utilized, but also blending it with exciting new technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3D scanning to create a unique learning experience for PTC customers and students at the university."

Those who complete the coursework will receive a certificate of completion from Colorado State.