Product category:
CAD/CAM systems (not machine tools)
News Release from: DriveWorks | Subject: Knowledge based engineering software
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 September 2002
Do not confine engineering to the design
office
How to take engineering outside of the design office to deliver tangible benefits for manufacturer and customer.
The Rossendale Group is a GBP 6m company, trusted by lifting equipment users in all sectors of industry The company's approach is based on providing outstanding levels of customer service and after-sales support
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 17 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Rules based design automation demonstrated
One of the major advantages of DriveWorks over other Knowledge Based Engineering software is that DriveWorks does not require any high-end programming knowledge.
Knowledge based solution can be tried out at show
A proven knowledge based engineering solution that enables SolidWorks users to easily capture product design rules and create customized, design to order products.
Safelift lifting equipment is the exclusive Rossendale brand, offering ultimate peace of mind - highest quality, safe, fully certified and ISO 9000 quality assured products, manufactured in approved production facilities.
Rossendale's in-house Design Office uses CAD and finite element analysis to ensure the safety of all lifting equipment.
The company recently chose to upgrade its CAD system to SolidWorks.
Further reading
Update produces savings and new opportunities
Since upgrading its CAD system a materials handling specialist has made productivity gains, been able to compete for more business and identify new marketing opportunities.
Design automation tool speeds up rules assignments
An easy to use design automation tool rules based design tool allows you to quickly capture parameters, create user forms and assign simple rules to drive your assemblies.
Ease of use figured in 3D design software choice
Ease of use was the most distinguishing factor in the choice of a 3D design package for conveyor systems. Other aspects included overall quality and available add on tools.
3The decision to select SolidWorks was in part based on our desire to satisfy customer demand to be able to 'design-to-order'.
We found that by choosing DriveWorks the knowledge based engineering software that is fully integrated with SolidWorks and a SolidWorks Certified Gold Partner Product, that we could achieve these wider commercial objectives,"said Simon Bamford, Managing Director, Rossendale.
"The combined power of DriveWorks and SolidWorks is being used initially to specify our Safelift Runway System, and will also be use on our Safelift Jib Cranes, Portable Gantries and Spreader Beams." Sarah Clegg, who has been trained on SolidWorks and DriveWorks said, "During the 5 day training course on DriveWorks, we were able to capture the stress and strain rules for the Runway System and then apply the equations to allow those specifying the product to pick the relevant parts.
The output includes all the drawings (2D and 3D), the cutting list, bill of materials and manufacturing data required for each individual product, and its all achieved in a fraction of the time that it would have taken us previously!" "Because DriveWorks has been developed with Administrator and User seats, once the rules have been captured, using the Administrator version, our non-technical staff and customers can then design their lifting equipment to meet their very own unique specifications with 'User' version." In terms of the return anticipated by Rossendale, Simon Bamford added, "We expect to reduce the time taken from design input to output of manufacturing drawings/materials lists/calculations for our standard products from an average of 16 hours to 1 hour.
We also expect the output to be more accurate, comprehensive, consistent and reliable." Rossendale is fulfilling its customer service goals, providing customers with shorter lead times, cost savings, and enhanced quality control.
The next step will be to offer an Internet based facility for specifying, providing quotations and on-line ordering.
With this type of solution, the engineers can get on with developing other new products in the company's range without having to 'waste' time re-drawing 'variations on a theme'.
Instead the drawings and data output can be left to the computer and the customer-facing staff all within the strict 'rules' dictated by the engineering department.
It is a very effective way of taking the engineering skills outside the Design Office to deliver real benefits for the customer and the manufacturer.
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