Amtrak
AMTRAK uses SolidWorks design, SolidWorks Simulation analysis, and SolidWorks Enterprise PDM software to maintain, refurbish, and modernize its fleet of passenger railcars.
“SolidWorks has allowed us to take a railcar that is decades old and make it look like it was made within the last two years.”
– John Campell, Industrial Designer
THE CHALLENGE
To support record ridership, AMTRAK—the nation’s intercity passenger rail provider and only high-speed rail operator— must maintain, refurbish, and modernize its fleet of passenger rail cars. AMTRAK’s engineers had used 2D design tools, including CADKey® and AutoCAD® software, until 1999. That’s when engineering management determined that 3D tools were necessary for taking the rail company’s transportation offerings into the 21st century.
THE SOLUTION
After evaluating available 3D systems, AMTRAK chose SolidWorks® software, implementing 25 licenses, and later adding licenses of SolidWorks Simulation and SolidWorks Enterprise PDM software. AMTRAK selected SolidWorks because of its ease of use, compatibility with legacy 2D data, and integrated analysis and PDM (product data management) applications. By choosing SolidWorks, AMTRAK increased design productivity by 60 percent, realized time savings of 40 percent, improved management of 500,000 design files, and reduced design errors and quality issues.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Increased design productivity by 60 percent
- Realized time savings of 40 percent
- Improved management of 500,000 design files
- Reduced design errors and quality issues
MSD Ignition
SolidWorks software supports MSD Ignition’s increased use of injection-molded plastic parts, including some parts in the NASCAR distributor shown here, by providing greater mold development power.
“In addition to a fairly drastic difference in modeling power, SolidWorks CAD software included draft and mold analysis tools and surfacing capabilities that are better suited to mold development.”
– Doug Webber, Plastic Part/Mold Designer
THE CHALLENGE
MSD Ignition is the leading producer of ignition controls, engine components, and automotive accessories for professional race cars and high-performance street vehicles. In 2004, the company began looking for a parametric 3D CAD system with greater mold design power than their existing CAD, Mechanical Desktop and Autodesk Inventor, in order to address increased mold development and production demands.
THE SOLUTION
After purchasing a trial seat of SolidWorks CAD software, MSD Ignition chose to migrate to SolidWorks Professional software for all new product development. The company chose SolidWorks CAD software because of its dedicated mold development tools, greater modeling power, better quality support, and advanced surfacing and configuration capabilities. By moving to SolidWorks Professional software, MSD Ignition has boosted mold throughput by 25 percent, shortened mechanical/electrical systems integration time by 75 percent, improved mold quality, and increased mold complexity and innovation.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Boosted mold throughput by over 25%
- Shortened mechanical/electrical systems integration time by 75%
- Improved mold quality
- Increased mold complexity and innovation
Orange County Choppers
SolidWorks software supports MSD Ignition’s increased use of injection-molded plastic parts, including some parts in the NASCAR distributor shown here, by providing greater mold development power.
“In addition to a fairly drastic difference in modeling power, SolidWorks CAD software included draft and mold analysis tools and surfacing capabilities that are better suited to mold development.”
– Doug Webber, Plastic Part/Mold Designer
THE CHALLENGE
MSD Ignition is the leading producer of ignition controls, engine components, and automotive accessories for professional race cars and high-performance street vehicles. In 2004, the company began looking for a parametric 3D CAD system with greater mold design power than their existing CAD, Mechanical Desktop and Autodesk Inventor, in order to address increased mold development and production demands.
THE SOLUTION
After purchasing a trial seat of SolidWorks CAD software, MSD Ignition chose to migrate to SolidWorks Professional software for all new product development. The company chose SolidWorks CAD software because of its dedicated mold development tools, greater modeling power, better quality support, and advanced surfacing and configuration capabilities. By moving to SolidWorks Professional software, MSD Ignition has boosted mold throughput by 25 percent, shortened mechanical/electrical systems integration time by 75 percent, improved mold quality, and increased mold complexity and innovation.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Boosted mold throughput by over 25%
- Shortened mechanical/electrical systems integration time by 75%
- Improved mold quality
- Increased mold complexity and innovation
