The Hindu Business Line : Winning, by design

"Saving time and money are important, but the most effective technologies are those that make designers freer to innovate at every phase of the design process."

An instance of DESIGNING with software, in the textile sector. - M. Govarthan

One cut across the cloth, and the design freezes for the seamstress.

Not so with technology, say users of design analysis software that helps to develop products the way one finally wants them.

Software, in computer-aided design (CAD), helps the user to try out different models even midway in the process, without the fear of passing a potentially flawed design down the line or incurring extra costs.

SolidWorks, which makes software for this space, says that when Alliance Space Systems Inc (ASI) needed a powerful, yet flexible, three-dimensional CAD system, it chose SolidWorks' product.

Suchit Jain, Vice-President, Analysis Products, SolidWorks, elaborates on action in this space, while stressing the role of innovation.

He says product development must grow cheaper and faster.

"Companies that implement analysis technology solely as an efficiency program see their returns plateau quickly. There's only so much saving that companies can wring from their design processes."

All discussion about design technology must circle back to innovation, because that's where the real gains lie, he says.

"Saving time and money are important, but the most effective technologies are those that make designers freer to innovate at every phase of the design process.

Efficient, innovative, high-quality products determine whether a company succeeds, not just shaving time and cost off the production processes," he says.

Lih Wu, Vice-President & General Manager, COSMOS Analysis Products, SolidWorks, sees a shift from the use of 2D to 3D.

Industry analysts caution that there are important issues to consider when evaluating and choosing design analysis software. Design analysis packages should be integrated with CAD systems.

While it is possible to exchange information between CAD and analysis packages through neutral files, this method is time-consuming and unpredictable. A direct interface between the two is the best option.

According to Lih, with use of design analysis software, the average Customer Return on Investment includes 30 per cent shortened product design cycle, 32 per cent reduction in prototypes, 23 per cent reduction in physical tests, 21 per cent scrap savings, 29 per cent decrease in engineering change orders (ECOs), 20 per cent reduction in field failures and 15 per cent reduction in product recalls.

What users say

When asked what prompted Bosch to go in for SolidWorks software, the company says, "Switching over from manual packing to machine packing has increased.

To meet that requirement (from conception to testing to sales), in order to reduce cycle time, we used SolidWorks."

According to Bosch, SolidWorks enabled it to visualise the end product in a better manner. Also, the package, proposed to be used in the future, had to be simple and at a reasonable price.

"SolidWorks also enabled ease of operation for us," it says. What have been the benefits? Bosch says they include cost savings, the benefits of not having produced an unsuitable product, reduction in response time by 30 per cent and reduction in prototype fabrication costs by 90-95 per cent.

"SolidWorks has brought about engineering change to a certain extent and has enabled us to visualise a new concept," says Bosch.

What is the return on investment?

Approximately Rs 7 crore, per year, since last year.

Yuken India Ltd, also a SolidWorks customer, cites user friendliness as one of the reasons for choosing SolidWorks.

savitharin@gmail.com

More Stories on : Software | Fashion | User Watch

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page