Benefits of 3D - in Layman's Terms
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Posted by: ipajewsk ®

04/06/2006, 11:38:14
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I work for a small manufacturer who uses 2d software for cad work. My boss (the head engineer) and I both see the benefit of changing to a 3D system, but we are having trouble convincing the owners of the company to switch over.

Now, the interesting twist is that the company already owns 5 seats of Solidworks, we just aren't using them. This situation came about before I was hired. From my understanding, when the current owners acquired the company 2+ years ago, the old regime was in the process of trying to convert to 3D. The engineering department was swollen to three times its current size, and the owners saw very little being produced. So, one of the first things they did was reorganize engineering and decree that we were going back to 2D. From my second-hand knowledge of the situation, the past head engineer just wasn't very good, and alot of the problems with the conversion were personel problems.

But, sufficely to say, the current owners, "Have a bad taste in their mouths" from their past experiences with 3D. They saw it as a lot of money spent with very little return. What makes the situation worse is that they are all salesmen. As far as they see, regardless of whether you are using Anvil (our 2D cad) or Solidworks, you still end up with a 2d print, so what's the difference?

So, if you have bothered reading through that, I'm hoping that some other people out there have had somewhat similar experiences. Now, I've enbarked on creating one of our largest products in Solidworks entirely on my own time. I'm hoping to show them that, in the right hands, 3D is FASTER than 2D. Beyond that, I'm looking for other benefits of 3D systems that "laypeople" (salespeople) can understand. Has anyone else out there gone through similar circumstances? What finally convinced your company to make the switch?








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Re: Benefits of 3D - in Layman's Terms
Re: Benefits of 3D - in Layman's Terms -- ipajewsk Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: randykimball ®
Barney
04/06/2006, 23:20:47
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It makes no sence to use 2D any more unless you are working in a 2d space such as electrical drawings.

In 3D your model is developed in minutes in an actual solid looking format. You can twist and turn it and see the shape and spot mistakes instantly. You can make corrections in seconds to shapes, theads, counter bores and such are done at a couple of mouse clicks.

Best of all you can fit the parts together and check for fit and interferences. You can see them operate and spot needed design improvements the same day you developed the component parts. You can fix shapes and sizes of the components in seconds and be back working with the function of the solid model of the part. Lately, I have been 100% on target the first time with all my prototyle designs, because I went through evolutions while in the model form. This saves hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. I now only produce a prototype to test materials and life cycles.

If your company designs objects that can be solid modeled, and in the past engineering staff was not more productive in a Solid Works enviornment they were either not properly trained in the solid modeling enviornment, weren't creative tending to get bogged into the paper work and recording keeping, or as sometimes is the case perhaps were sandbagging. I do not think the solid modeling CAD system should take the blame. In point is the fact that all the major profit making companies in the world design in a solid modeling system. However, I highly recommend that the seats be updated to the current versions, many highly productive improvements have been added to all the solid modeling soft ware systems. There are many valid opinions, I myself use Solid Works 2006, build 3.x.


Also, modern solid modeling CAD systems are much more efficent at drawing development... drawings don't amount to much more than dragging dimensions now.

/←randy→/





The worst suggestion of your lifetime may be the catalyst to the grandest idea of the century, never let suggestions go unsaid nor fail to listen to them.

Modified by randykimball at Thu, Apr 06, 2006, 23:28:45


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Re: Benefits of 3D - in Layman's Terms Smile
Re: Benefits of 3D - in Layman's Terms -- ipajewsk Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Marky ®

04/06/2006, 12:54:06
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There are a lot of scenerios that make up the 2D vs 3D jump.

Training - If the company has several engs, cost may be the driving force. $1800/person + 4k per seat adds up. I hate to say it but Age does play a factor. I've seen companies with older employees that don't want to be trained on a 3D system.

I just started with a company that was forced to buy a Solidworks seat because one of our customers sends us fab drawings in S'works. That's why I was hired.

I think the deciding factor is "What do you make?". If you make 1 product with simple parts maybe 2D suits your needs. Larger products and/or parts are better viewed in 3D.

Vendors (machine & sheet metal shops) sometimes only need a 3D model to make a part. I used to have the part arrive before the detail was done. Injection molders don't want drawings.

I could go on and on. You should start getting some good input from others

But what I would do and what a lot of companies are doing it. Start using Solidworks and AutoCad together. Don't tell anybody just start using it. I do it here and you'll find 2 systems going isn't a bad thing.

Marky







Modified by Marky at Thu, Apr 06, 2006, 13:23:35


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