KINGSTON, R.I. — March 20, 2001 — R&D Technologies, an East Greenwich-based engineering consulting firm, recently donated 25 licenses for the SolidWorks software program to the University of Rhode Island Department of Mechanical Engineering. SolidWorks is the industry leader in computer-aided design tools. It allows users to create three-dimensional models of mechanical devices to be used in the design of various products. It is now in use in the mechanical engineering department’s computer technology classroom, where students use modern software to conduct simulations or virtual experiments on a variety of engineering systems and processes. “It’s a powerful software program that is rapidly becoming accepted as the preferred program in the industry,” said Martin Sadd, URI professor of mechanical engineering. “Students using it in class found it to be a very effective tool, and the faculty likes it, too.” Sadd said the program was first used during the fall semester in both sophomore- and senior-level courses. “We donated the SolidWorks software to URI to help engineering students improve their design and analytical skills,” said Andrew Coutu, president of R&D Technologies and a 1968 graduate of URI. “With these new skills, we believe students will be better able to find internship positions with Rhode Island-based companies.” In addition to its consulting work, R&D Technologies is a local distributor of SolidWorks and offers training for users. For Information: Martin Sadd 874-2524, Todd McLeish 874-7892