Wednesday September 18, 2019 at 2:41pm
We
interviewed Dean Allen, Utopia’s Engineering Manager, to find out more about
their stylish designs and product development process. Dean commented, “We use
SOLIDWORKS predominantly to create 3D models and 2D detailed drawings of woodbased panels, including all details for connections and associated ancillary
parts. We take advantage of some of the main modelling features, such as the ‘hole wizard’ in the 3D environment and the ‘hole tables’ and ‘BOM tables’ in the 2D
environment.
But the main
benefit that SOLIDWORKS has over any other we have evaluated, is the furniture
specific bolt on software – SWOOD. The features and functions within this
software are key to our product development process, making our CAD data more
useable throughout the business by creating the following:
- Design reports, that include
spread sheets to be imported into our MRP system as BOMs, eliminating human
intervention, reducing data errors
- Machine programs that can be
created for various machines within our production facilities, making it easier
to create and control program maintenance
- A suite of SWOOD Frame templates,
allowing us to load, modify and publish data of new sizes of units within hours
rather than days. Resulting in quicker response time to our customer needs
- A suite of SWOOD boxes and
connectors, based on our ancillary parts that are easily pulled into assemblies
with associated fixing and connection details. This has lead to us using common
CAD data and connection details throughout our different ranges of furniture
making it easier to maintain
- The Design Report function is also
used to generate panel specific data that is uploaded and used in our MRp
system, such as program codes and images for our production documents”
Prior to
adopting SOLIDWORKS and SWOOD, Utopia’s biggest challenge was consistency of
design details and manually creating BOM data. Dean continues, “I have used
AutoCAD and Inventor for over 20 years in previous jobs, but found the
transition to SOLIDWORKS seamless and soon became a main user within the
business, showing more experienced users other ways to approach the creation of
3D models and 2D drawings.
I was
involved in the selection of the bolt on software and looked at alternative
software such as iMOS, but as we had a lot of historic data associated to
SOLIDWORKS, it seemed the most sensible decision to keep using the base
software and add to it by means of the SWOOD add on. It was also very cost
competitive!”
Previously,
Utopia used multiple CNC machines, all driven by different software. This meant
they needed someone programing it on the separate software (essentially
redrawing it) every time some new change was made to the design.
Dean
continues, “Now we can drive all our machines from a single software solution all
internally in SOLIDWORKS. Our operations run a lot more consistently as we use
the same 3D models from purchase to assemblies. All our design standards
operate within the same data and libraries, keeping the same parameters for
parts such as connectors and panels. We now use that same information more
consistently. Whenever something goes to the shop floor, the personnel knows
exactly how to load the panels into the machines, leaving no room for errors.”
To find out
more about Utopia Bathrooms, please visit: https://www.utopiagroup.com/