Orthofix Inc.
Orthofix Inc. manufactures a broad line of minimally invasive surgical and nonsurgical products for the spine, orthopedic, and sports medicine market sectors.
“I just found SolidWorks to be easier to use. It was easier to navigate, and it was easier for someone with minimal training to start using quickly and productively.”
– Michael Thomas, Product Development Manager
THE CHALLENGE
Orthofix Inc. manufactures a broad line of minimally invasive surgical and nonsurgical products for the spine, orthopedic, and sports medicine market sectors. The company’s products address the lifelong bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages—helping them achieve a more active and mobile lifestyle. Until recently, the company had used Pro/ENGINEER® CAD software. But Orthofix engineers decided to find an easier-to-use 3D design package for the development of its TRUELOK Ring Fixation System, a surgeon-designed, lightweight system of telescoping rods, rings, pins, and clamps for limb-lengthening and deformity correction.
THE SOLUTION
The company chose SolidWorks® 3D design, SolidWorks Simulation Premium analysis, and SolidWorks Enterprise PDM product data management software for the development of the TrueLok Ring Fixation System because the packages are easier to use and provide a complete integrated solution. By choosing SolidWorks, Orthofix increased its ability to generate quick visual concepts, improved design visualization, reduced prototyping cycles by 20 percent, and interacted more effectively with vendors.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Increased ability to generate quick visual concepts
- Improved design visualization
- Reduced prototyping cycles by 20 percent
- Interacted more effectively with vendors
Design that Matters, Inc.
Design that Matters, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation that leverages design innovation and technology to provide breakthrough solutions to social needs in the developing world, such as producing an infant incubator manufactured from car parts and an affordable infant phototherapy treatment device. Having access to advanced 3D design tools is essential for the organization’s success.
“With SolidWorks, we have a single, efficient tool for both creating innovative industrial designs and evaluating the practical, engineering aspects of new concepts.”
– Will Harris ISDA, Designer
THE CHALLENGE
Design that Matters, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation that leverages design innovation and technology to provide breakthrough solutions to social needs in the developing world, such as producing an infant incubator manufactured from car parts and an affordable infant phototherapy treatment device. Having access to advanced 3D design tools is essential for the organization’s success.
THE SOLUTION
Design that Matters chose SolidWorks® Premium 3D design and simulation software to support its development efforts because it is easy to use, is widely used by the group’s student contributors, and provides a complete range of design, simulation, and rendering tools. The group also uses 3DVIA Composer™ technical communications software to demonstrate and show design concepts to advisors in developing countries. By implementing SolidWorks solutions, Design that Matters accelerated concept development, improved its ability to communicate design concepts visually, cut the cost of a phototherapy treatment unit from $7,000 to $350, and is helping doctors work to save infant lives in the developing world.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Accelerated concept development
- Improved ability to communicate design concepts visually
- Cut cost of phototherapy treatment unit from $7,000 to $350
- Helped doctors work to save infant lives in the developing world
