CES, UK's leading supplier of the renowned Solid Edge from UGS had previously demonstrated the system at a 'Customer Day' back in 2003. Although 5 Star Cases had been using 2D drafting for a number of years, the move to 3D modelling was considered just prior to the demo at UGS.
Works Director Keith Sykes explained "Although three packages were evaluated, Solid Edge was chosen for a number of factors, one being the excellent pre-sales service from CES. The software was carefully and meticulously described of its functions and capabilities before the purchase decision was reached", says Sykes. "Sales director for CES, Neale Hall arranged a further two visits to their demo and training facilities in Witney, which proved invaluable in the decision making."
"There are a lot of 3D packages out there, from ones that come free with magazines to the high end packages such as Solid Works, Autodesk Inventor and Solid Edge", explained Sykes. "The decision to purchase the right package is critical, as the top of the range systems make for serious investment !" The first 'seat' of Solid Edge was installed and configured in December 2004 onto a new graphics workstation from Hewlett Packard. Andy Stockdale, is charged with the implementation Solid Edge into the company's design department. "Andy has been involved with the 2D CAD system for a number of years", says Keith Sykes, "However, Solid Edge offered a new and more complex challenge."
The implementation is to be phased in over a number of months, but the system is already ahead of schedule and being put to use with selected projects and product designs. Andy Stockdale explains "The software looked a bit daunting at first but the trick is, to get stuck in and play withit!", continuing "I have attended only one training day since the software was purchased but have already found the package to be a superb tool for the company."
The system is used in conjunction with existing 'job costing' software developed by 5 Star and can produce accurate 3D parts, assemblies and models of proposed cases. These models are complete with 2D drafts which are sent directly to the CNC machining department and are fully parametric and associative. Fully rendered views, including exploded and cutaways are easily obtained and give the client an excellent example of the proposed product prior to manufacture.In total, three licences of Solid Edge have been installed at 5 Star, all of which were purchased from Cutting Edge Solutions.
(Lee Baldock)L-R: Keith Sykes, works director and Andy Stockdale.
