Case Studies Accelerating automotive assembly and test system design with SolidWorks Premium

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	Accelerating automotive assembly and test system design with SolidWorks Premium

Accelerating automotive assembly and test system design with SolidWorks Premium

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries	Automotive
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services Training
Challenge	AAA engineers routinely work with large assemblies of between 1,000 and 5,000 components. In 2004, the company decided to reevaluate its design platform, focusing on large-assembly design capabilities. They had previously used Autodesk Inventor but wanted to assess other options like SolidWorks, Solid Edge, and Pro/ENGINEER. The goal was to find a more intuitive and easier-to-use software that could also support assembly analysis. The company ran a benchmark project using both SolidWorks and Inventor to validate their assumptions. Read More
About Customer	Assembly & Test Worldwide (ATW) operates five separate divisions, including its Advanced Assembly Automation (AAA) division, which specializes in developing component assembly and testing systems for the automotive industry. AAA engineers first moved to a 3D development platform in 2001 when the company transitioned from AutoCAD® 2D software to the Autodesk Inventor® 3D CAD system. After using Inventor software for more than three years, management decided to reevaluate the company’s design platform in 2004, with a particular focus on assessing large-assembly design capabilities. Read More
Solution	AAA decided to transition to SolidWorks software after a successful benchmark project. The company initially implemented 20 seats of SolidWorks Professional and later added more seats, including SolidWorks Premium. The transition included basic and advanced modeling as well as SolidWorks Simulation training. The move to SolidWorks provided an impetus for process improvement, standardization, and automation. AAA engineers completed all new projects using SolidWorks software, which helped in reducing design costs and rework, thereby boosting throughput. The integrated assembly analysis capabilities of SolidWorks Simulation allowed AAA to optimize designs and reduce material usage. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

Training

Challenge

AAA engineers routinely work with large assemblies of between 1,000 and 5,000 components. In 2004, the company decided to reevaluate its design platform, focusing on large-assembly design capabilities. They had previously used Autodesk Inventor but wanted to assess other options like SolidWorks, Solid Edge, and Pro/ENGINEER. The goal was to find a more intuitive and easier-to-use software that could also support assembly analysis. The company ran a benchmark project using both SolidWorks and Inventor to validate their assumptions.

About Customer

Assembly & Test Worldwide (ATW) operates five separate divisions, including its Advanced Assembly Automation (AAA) division, which specializes in developing component assembly and testing systems for the automotive industry. AAA engineers first moved to a 3D development platform in 2001 when the company transitioned from AutoCAD® 2D software to the Autodesk Inventor® 3D CAD system. After using Inventor software for more than three years, management decided to reevaluate the company’s design platform in 2004, with a particular focus on assessing large-assembly design capabilities.

Solution

AAA decided to transition to SolidWorks software after a successful benchmark project. The company initially implemented 20 seats of SolidWorks Professional and later added more seats, including SolidWorks Premium. The transition included basic and advanced modeling as well as SolidWorks Simulation training. The move to SolidWorks provided an impetus for process improvement, standardization, and automation. AAA engineers completed all new projects using SolidWorks software, which helped in reducing design costs and rework, thereby boosting throughput. The integrated assembly analysis capabilities of SolidWorks Simulation allowed AAA to optimize designs and reduce material usage.

Impact #1	The transition to SolidWorks software provided an impetus for process improvement, standardization, and automation.
Impact #2	AAA engineers completed all new projects using SolidWorks software, which helped in reducing design costs and rework, thereby boosting throughput.
Impact #3	The integrated assembly analysis capabilities of SolidWorks Simulation allowed AAA to optimize designs and reduce material usage.

Impact #1

The transition to SolidWorks software provided an impetus for process improvement, standardization, and automation.

Impact #2

AAA engineers completed all new projects using SolidWorks software, which helped in reducing design costs and rework, thereby boosting throughput.

Impact #3

The integrated assembly analysis capabilities of SolidWorks Simulation allowed AAA to optimize designs and reduce material usage.

Benefit #1	Cut design costs by 10 percent.
Benefit #2	Increased throughput by 10 percent.
Benefit #3	Reduced steel usage by 10 to 15 percent via integrated assembly analysis.

Benefit #1

Cut design costs by 10 percent.

Benefit #2

Increased throughput by 10 percent.

Benefit #3

Reduced steel usage by 10 to 15 percent via integrated assembly analysis.

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Overview

Accelerating automotive assembly and test system design with SolidWorks Premium

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit