The Challenge The Knapheide Manufacturing Company is the leading US manufacturer of service and utility truck bodies. In 2003, management chose to upgrade from AutoCAD 2D design software to the Autodesk Inventor 3D package. After encountering some sheet-metal design issues, management decided to benchmark all leading 3D CAD systems.
The Solution Following an extensive analysis, the company selected the SolidWorks 3D CAD system because of its ease of use, integration with SolidWorks Simulation Software analysis software and a range of third-party solutions, open Application Programming Interface (API), eDrawings design communication software, and advanced sheet-metal design and configuration capabilities. By choosing SolidWorks software, Knapheide is responding more efficiently to customization needs, reducing prototyping costs through integrated analysis software, minimizing design errors, and realizing more effective collaboration and customer communication.
For working with sheet metal, SolidWorks is superior by far. Once we have a workable design, we export the flat pattern to our nesting software, on to our CNC punches or lasers for cutting, then to a press brake. The process can happen very quickly.
-Vinson Sill, Project Engineer
Summary and Metrics:
Responded more efficiently to customization needs
Reduced prototyping costs through integrated analysis
Minimized design errors
Realized more effective collaboration and customer communication
