Case Studies Innovating CCR diving systems with SolidWorks Premium

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	Innovating CCR diving systems with SolidWorks Premium

Innovating CCR diving systems with SolidWorks Premium

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries	Consumer Goods Marine & Shipping
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Digital Twin Predictive Maintenance
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration Training
Challenge	Steam Machines, Inc. (SMI) faced the challenge of needing advanced design analysis tools and a cost-effective design platform to streamline their product development and manufacturing process. The company initially used Pro/ENGINEER CAD software but found it lacking in computational flow dynamics (CFD) capabilities. SMI needed a solution that could support every step of their product development process, from conceptual design to manufacturing, while also reducing costs and improving efficiency. The company aimed to innovate their closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving systems, making them more affordable and accessible to a wider market. Read More
About Customer	Steam Machines, Inc. (SMI) is a pioneering company in the development of closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving systems for the recreational market. Founded by Peter Readey, SMI has been at the forefront of making advanced diving technology more accessible and affordable. The company's innovative PRISM™ CCR system allows divers to 'rebreathe' their own air by scrubbing out carbon dioxide, significantly reducing the cost of each unit from $18,000 to $7,800. This cost reduction was achieved through breakthroughs in the use of advanced composite materials. SMI's commitment to innovation and quality has made it a leader in the recreational diving industry. Read More
Solution	SMI selected SolidWorks Premium as their design platform due to its ease of use, compatibility with other software applications, and advanced mold development and analysis tools. The company also integrated SolidWorks Simulation for structural analysis and SolidWorks Flow Simulation for computational flow dynamics (CFD) analysis. This comprehensive suite of tools allowed SMI to support every step of their product development process, from conceptual design and simulation to validation, testing, and manufacturing. The use of SolidWorks software enabled SMI to develop sophisticated manufacturing techniques, produce limited runs of advanced diving technology components, and avoid repetitive prototyping. The integrated design analysis tools provided by SolidWorks allowed SMI to validate part and assembly performance on the computer, enabling them to go straight to production without the need for prototypes. 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

Consumer Goods

Marine & Shipping

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Digital Twin

Predictive Maintenance

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

Steam Machines, Inc. (SMI) faced the challenge of needing advanced design analysis tools and a cost-effective design platform to streamline their product development and manufacturing process. The company initially used Pro/ENGINEER CAD software but found it lacking in computational flow dynamics (CFD) capabilities. SMI needed a solution that could support every step of their product development process, from conceptual design to manufacturing, while also reducing costs and improving efficiency. The company aimed to innovate their closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving systems, making them more affordable and accessible to a wider market.

About Customer

Steam Machines, Inc. (SMI) is a pioneering company in the development of closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving systems for the recreational market. Founded by Peter Readey, SMI has been at the forefront of making advanced diving technology more accessible and affordable. The company's innovative PRISM™ CCR system allows divers to 'rebreathe' their own air by scrubbing out carbon dioxide, significantly reducing the cost of each unit from $18,000 to $7,800. This cost reduction was achieved through breakthroughs in the use of advanced composite materials. SMI's commitment to innovation and quality has made it a leader in the recreational diving industry.

Solution

SMI selected SolidWorks Premium as their design platform due to its ease of use, compatibility with other software applications, and advanced mold development and analysis tools. The company also integrated SolidWorks Simulation for structural analysis and SolidWorks Flow Simulation for computational flow dynamics (CFD) analysis. This comprehensive suite of tools allowed SMI to support every step of their product development process, from conceptual design and simulation to validation, testing, and manufacturing. The use of SolidWorks software enabled SMI to develop sophisticated manufacturing techniques, produce limited runs of advanced diving technology components, and avoid repetitive prototyping. The integrated design analysis tools provided by SolidWorks allowed SMI to validate part and assembly performance on the computer, enabling them to go straight to production without the need for prototypes.

Impact #1	SMI reduced its design cycles and cut development costs by implementing SolidWorks software.
Impact #2	The company was able to innovate continuously, creating state-of-the-art rebreather diving systems.
Impact #3	SMI used advanced composites in a proprietary combination of low-pressure-molded plastics and cast materials, decreasing both weight and cost.

Impact #1

SMI reduced its design cycles and cut development costs by implementing SolidWorks software.

Impact #2

The company was able to innovate continuously, creating state-of-the-art rebreather diving systems.

Impact #3

SMI used advanced composites in a proprietary combination of low-pressure-molded plastics and cast materials, decreasing both weight and cost.

Benefit #1	Reduced the cost of each CCR unit from $18,000 to $7,800.
Benefit #2	Rated stainless-steel fittings at 5,000 psi were replaced with naval brass fittings at a lower pressure.

Benefit #1

Reduced the cost of each CCR unit from $18,000 to $7,800.

Benefit #2

Rated stainless-steel fittings at 5,000 psi were replaced with naval brass fittings at a lower pressure.

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Overview

Innovating CCR diving systems with SolidWorks Premium

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit