Integration is key to CAD/CAM success

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 29, 2005

TopSolid'Design has become an indispensable tool for Chilean mining equipment manufacturer Wunkhaus Electromecanica.

Wunkhaus Electromecanica is a family business set up in Santiago de Chile in the 1970s.

Currently equipped with TopSolid'Design, TopSolid'Mold and TopSolid'Cam the company enjoys full integration from the design of its products to the final production.

The company now employs 50 people and specialises in the design, development and production of electrical components and appliances for mines.

Its products are very complex, specific and high-tech and whose main purpose is to permit the distribution of electrical current within mines.

Wunkhaus' main customers are mining companies in Chile and South America and is one of Chile's main exporters of copper.

As a secondary activity Wunkhaus Electromecanica develops mechanical components for other sectors as well as designing moulds and die-stamping tools.

After 18 months of deliberation Wunkhaus Electromecanica chose TopSolid in December 2003.

Its existing software could no longer meet the requirements of the company, and after analysing five other well-known CAD/CAM systems Wunkhaus Electromecanica opted for the fully integrated TopSolid family.

Integration was a key factor in in the company's choice of CAD/CAM software.

Producing components, appliances and moulds Wunkhaus Electromecanica needed a powerful, fast and efficient software which would be able to meet its many needs.

TopSolid reseller in Chile, Implementa 3D (formerly known as CAD CAM), equipped the company with three licences of TopSolid'Pro, one TopSolid'Mold and one TopSolid'Cam.

Within 2 months Wunkhaus Electromecanica had received training in basic design, basic mechanics, advanced training in assembly and also in 2D, 3D and HSM (high speed machining).

TopSolid'Design has now become an indispensable tool for Wunkhaus Electromecanica.

TopSolid's mechanical and cinematic simulation is important as many of the company's products are complex and are made up of over 100 parts.

Thanks to TopSolid's cinematic module Wunkhaus Electromecanica can test that everything works properly and can also prevent potential collisions.

Using the standard components available in TopSolid'Design has allowed the company to reduce its design time by more than 30% compared with its previous CAD/CAM system.

Speaking about TopSolid, Rene Berrios, Manager of the Engineering Department says: "Thanks to TopSolid'Cam the company's productivity has doubled".

"Regarding its 2D and 3D mechanical capabilities in addition to its powerful drilling tools, I have never seen such powerful functionalities in a software".

The company's use of TopSolid'Mold has also brought about huge benefits to Wunkhaus Electromecanica.

A mould design involving a medium level of complexity which would have taken in average weeks 2 years is now competed in 4 days.

Wunkhaus Electromecanica has benefited from the fully integrated CAD/CAM software allowing complete integration from design right through to manufacturing.