Product category:
CAD/CAM systems (not machine tools)
News Release from: Vero International Software
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 January 2007
3D solid design of automotive press
tools
JASP Design Solutions has celebrated a successful first year in business after having formed in December 2005.
JASP Design Solutions has celebrated a successful first year in business after having formed in December 2005 With almost 50 years of experience between them, Adrian Jackman and Paul Smith believed that they could offer a service which would be of value to the industry in the 21st century
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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"We both have extensive experience in the automotive and general engineering sectors, and specialise in the 3D solid design of automotive press tools.
We are not only a design service but a service that considers the entire projects in terms of both manufacture and machinability.
This complete system approach brings an extra added value to our customers." claims Jackman.
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The VISI product suite from Vero International Software seemed the natural choice of software as both had used it previously and knew that it offered exactly what they were aiming to provide.
VISI has dedicated modules for advanced solid and surface modelling, mould tool and progressive tool design, Wire EDM and 2D - 5 axes machining all in one seamless environment.
Dedicated translators for all standard CAD systems ensure that VISI can work with any type of data.
"December 2005 was a very hectic month" explains Paul Smith "Having just started the company and trying to get everything in place we also had Christmas to contend with.
It was really important to us to secure a crucial part of the new business - the software.
Vero acted with understanding and were a great help in getting us started.
We still take great pride from the fact that we had formed a company and we were working on our first order less than 21 days from the conception of JASP Design Solutions.
The ability and drive to make things happen is one of the things that helps separate us from some other companies, and this is in no small way due to the help and support from Vero." From day one it was always the intention of JASP Design Solutions to concentrate on designing using solid models, and as with any new company they thought finding new customers would be a major problem.
"It really didn't work out that way," says Jackman.
"Right from the very start, we picked up a regular supply of work.
Word seemed to get around and we were quickly able to build a customer base".
"There are many 'hidden' benefits to the Vero system and some that are not immediately obvious, especially to those that are not familiar with the system." claims Jackman.
"One of these, VISI-Blank, has enabled us to provide Milton Keynes Pressings (MKP) with accurate estimates for material usage and the lengths of profile cutting at the quoting stage".
JASP Design Solutions worked hard to secure their first order with Whiston Industries of Cradley Heath, one of the largest toolrooms in the UK, manufacturing for the UK, European and the American markets.
"Once we did there was no looking back", says Paul Smith.
"Nearly all of their work is large transfer tooling with very complex forms and this is one area where Vero really excels.
We are able to model up very complicated tooling and they have the confidence to machine straight from the models, thus creating a virtually paperless working environment.
The ability to overcome problems that are obvious in 3D but less so in 2D adds a huge cost saving and by eliminating the possibility of the drawing being misread, costly reworking and design is greatly minimised." A recent project involved the modelling of a cam trim, cam form, form, trim and pierce tool measuring 2.9 metres x 2.3 metres x 1.3 metres for an American tool that was to be manufactured in the UK .
The project was for a sleeper cab for a freightliner truck running in a 1000 tonne transfer press.
By designing in 3D and liaising closely with their customer JASP were able to ensure that no fouling conditions were missed allowing all patterns and machining to be carried out directly from the solid models.
JASP Design Solutions are pleased to have recently added Brierley to its customer base.
Brierley are a large toolmaking company that also operate Vero as both its design and manufacturing solution and are an ideal business partner for JASP Design Solutions .
Paul and Adrian say, "We can read native CAD data in a number of formats and using Vero's part study and our expertise, it is very quick and simple to unfold parts and generate a manufacturing process.
At this stage, we usually agree the processes and look for ways to minimise strip wastage.
Once a process has been agreed, we fully model the tooling and identify any necessary pre-defined parts from designated suppliers and automatically generate a bill of materials.
2D customer drawings are linked to the model and can be automatically created and easily modified.
The real beauty, however, is the feature management system.
When it comes to machining, Vero will automatically recognise what type of hole has been added at the design stage and create the drilling operation - this is a huge advantage".
Six months after being formed JASP Design Solutions moved to their brand new office ideally situated on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.
From this new location, JASP Design Solutions continues to grow and offers a one stop solution for all press tooling needs, whether they are five metre transfer tools, progression tools or more simple stand alone tooling.
"Our philosophy is very simple" claims Smith "By involving our customers closely we aim to offer the whole design solution with manufacturability at the forefront of our designs.
In fact, just like Vero, by listening to our customers and working with them, we offer the complete design solution".
Vero International Software is represented in over 40 countries by more than 80 distributors and, in addition to its extensive dealer network, has its own direct sales operations in the UK, France, Italy, USA, Japan, China and Canada.
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