Software brings surface data into Focus
An
ICEM product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Nov 18, 2004
The ICEM Surf software suite was instrumental in enabling Ford to streamline the design development of the body and interior of the second generation Ford Focus launched at the Paris Motor Show.
The ICEM Surf software suite was instrumental in enabling Ford to streamline the design development of the body and interior of the second generation Ford Focus that was officially launched at last month's Paris Motor Show.
ICEM Surf was used throughout the design development of the new Focus to translate the stylists' wishes into the high-quality Class A surface model data required for the manufacture of the vehicle's exterior body panels and major interior components - centre console, instrument panel etc - and trim.
Volker Renn, supervisor of surface development, Corporate Design at Ford Werke, commented: "The advantage of using ICEM Surf in the early stages of the design development process for a new vehicle is that it enables us to develop the digital surface model in parallel with any refinements to the clay styling model, before design freeze".
"At the same time, it enables us to take into account all of the 'hard points' defined in the engineering CAD model by our UGS I-deas CAD/CAM system".
This ability of ICEM Surf to share design data with other vehicle development processes enabled a simultaneous design and engineering process.
This enhanced design workflow in turn enabled the Focus development team to arrive at the final Class A surface data required for manufacturing with fewer physical models of components required than would otherwise have been the case.
Before design approval, the advanced visualisation tools available within ICEM Surf were used to create photorealistic visualisations of the whole of the vehicle's interior and exterior, with paint and materials simulation as well as different lighting conditions.
These visualisations were displayed at 1:1 scale in Ford's virtual reality suite for management approval.
According to Renn, being able to create the virtual design reference model with ICEM Surf, as well as the Class A engineering surface data needed for manufacturing, meant that Ford could verify the design of the new Focus for its appearance and quality in the digital world, before going to the expense of a physical prototype.
It also meant that the design team could readily undertake early review of all model variants and also support the rapid prototyping process.
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