Altair Case Studies HyperWorks Optimization Capabilities Streamline Unilever's Packaging Design Process

	HyperWorks Optimization Capabilities Streamline Unilever's Packaging Design Process Altair

HyperWorks Optimization Capabilities Streamline Unilever's Packaging Design Process

Altair

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
Applicable Industries	Equipment & Machinery Packaging
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Intelligent Packaging Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Services	Testing & Certification
Challenge	Unilever's Global Packaging Design Group was faced with the challenge of identifying potential packaging issues early in the design process. The discovery of problems after manufacturing had begun could lead to costly impacts, sometimes necessitating modifications in the tools used during production. This made the design process time-consuming as designers had to consider a wide range of possible issues. The group used simulation to validate potential designs and ensure they could be produced. However, outsourcing the simulation work was considered, which would require an average of two months to develop and carry out the appropriate testing. Read More
About Customer	Unilever, a company with over 120 years of experience in developing consumer products, is one of the world's most well-known companies. The company aims to meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene, and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good, and get more out of life. Today, Unilever produces more than 400 brands focused on health and wellbeing, from food to soap, and other household care products. Unilever's Global Packaging Design Group, based in Trumbull, Conn., develops hard-plastic containers for such brands as Dove, Suave, Caress, Axe, Degree, Ponds, Lux and other hair care, skin and deodorant products. The group works with outside design agencies to develop package concepts and then brings those ideas into a 3D modeling environment to ensure that the initial designs are able to be manufactured. Read More
Solution	Unilever turned to Altair HyperWorks suite of computer-aided engineering tools to reduce the time required for simulation and significantly lower costs. HyperWorks allowed Unilever to automate the meshing process, as well as the set-up of loads and boundary constraints. The designer could input CAD-based models and simply select a prepared set of parameters. Unilever also used other HyperWorks tools, including the RADIOSS solver, HyperStudy and OptiStruct for topology and topography optimization. These tools helped Unilever ensure that new designs used less material and were more optimized than the ones they were replacing, without compromising their structure. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery

Packaging

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Intelligent Packaging

Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Services

Testing & Certification

Challenge

Unilever's Global Packaging Design Group was faced with the challenge of identifying potential packaging issues early in the design process. The discovery of problems after manufacturing had begun could lead to costly impacts, sometimes necessitating modifications in the tools used during production. This made the design process time-consuming as designers had to consider a wide range of possible issues. The group used simulation to validate potential designs and ensure they could be produced. However, outsourcing the simulation work was considered, which would require an average of two months to develop and carry out the appropriate testing.

About Customer

Unilever, a company with over 120 years of experience in developing consumer products, is one of the world's most well-known companies. The company aims to meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene, and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good, and get more out of life. Today, Unilever produces more than 400 brands focused on health and wellbeing, from food to soap, and other household care products. Unilever's Global Packaging Design Group, based in Trumbull, Conn., develops hard-plastic containers for such brands as Dove, Suave, Caress, Axe, Degree, Ponds, Lux and other hair care, skin and deodorant products. The group works with outside design agencies to develop package concepts and then brings those ideas into a 3D modeling environment to ensure that the initial designs are able to be manufactured.

Solution

Unilever turned to Altair HyperWorks suite of computer-aided engineering tools to reduce the time required for simulation and significantly lower costs. HyperWorks allowed Unilever to automate the meshing process, as well as the set-up of loads and boundary constraints. The designer could input CAD-based models and simply select a prepared set of parameters. Unilever also used other HyperWorks tools, including the RADIOSS solver, HyperStudy and OptiStruct for topology and topography optimization. These tools helped Unilever ensure that new designs used less material and were more optimized than the ones they were replacing, without compromising their structure.

Impact #1	The integration of HyperWorks into Unilever's packaging design process has resulted in significant operational benefits. It has helped Unilever avoid potential retooling costs and accelerate its design schedule. HyperWorks has become a crucial part of Unilever’s packaging design process. The tool has been so integrated into their ways of working that it’s hard to picture their process of creating designs without it. Without HyperWorks, their jobs would be much harder, and there would be a lot more guesswork involved without substance to back it up. HyperWorks has proven to be critical in trying to solve so many of the potential issues they analyze.

Impact #1

The integration of HyperWorks into Unilever's packaging design process has resulted in significant operational benefits. It has helped Unilever avoid potential retooling costs and accelerate its design schedule. HyperWorks has become a crucial part of Unilever’s packaging design process. The tool has been so integrated into their ways of working that it’s hard to picture their process of creating designs without it. Without HyperWorks, their jobs would be much harder, and there would be a lot more guesswork involved without substance to back it up. HyperWorks has proven to be critical in trying to solve so many of the potential issues they analyze.

Benefit #1	Significant cost savings
Benefit #2	Shorter simulation schedules
Benefit #3	High accuracy in design

Benefit #1

Significant cost savings

Benefit #2

Shorter simulation schedules

Benefit #3

High accuracy in design

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Overview

HyperWorks Optimization Capabilities Streamline Unilever's Packaging Design Process

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit