Canadian automotive engine component manufacturer Burlington Technologies says it has cut new product development times in half using SolidWorks 3D CAD and PDMWorks product data management software.
Burlington delivers high-pressure aluminium die casting, machining and assembly services for a range of engine compartment components, and says that its SolidWorks sutie reduces errors, improves internal communications and helps refine product development processes.
“We had become used to working with complicated CAD software, so it is refreshing to use SolidWorks,” says Rick MacMillan, die designer on BTI’s tool design team. “Its intuitive interface lets us do what we want to without a lot of extra steps. The fact that we can move a bolt hole in a couple of mouse clicks, and have all of the geometry remain intact, saves time, ensures accuracy, and lets us be more creative.”
SolidWorks allows BTI’s tool design team to work in both 3D models and 2D drawings, and when engineers change 3D models, the corresponding 2D drawings automatically update, saving as much as a week in design time.
On top of that, the company says that PDMWorks provides the version control and security it needs. It also allows multiple designers and engineers to work on a project at the same time without introducing errors.
“PDMWorks gives everyone peace of mind,” says MacMillan. “PDMWorks lets us manage who has what access to designs, so we know every change that has been made. Between SolidWorks and PDMWorks, we’re doing more in the same amount of time than before.”
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