Product category:
3D CAD software
News Release from: SolidWorks Corporation | Subject: SolidWorks 3D
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 28 May 2004
Software adds a dimension to shopping
cart design
The McCue Corp Bean is a combination grocery cart and children's car designed in SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software and used in supermarkets around the world.
Weekly grocery shopping trips with children can be easy, fun, and safe, thanks to McCue Corporation's Bean, the combination grocery cart and children's car designed in SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software and used in supermarkets around the world Salem, Massachusetts-based McCue chose SolidWorks to switch from static 2D drawings to dynamic 3D models so that it could speed its products to customers such as Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Winn Dixie, Shaw's, Albertson's and Ahold
For more than 15 years, McCue Corporation has provided protective and decorative bumper and shopping cart management systems specifically designed for customers in the retail industry.
It designs, manufactures and sells the plastic bumper systems that prevent shopping and stocking carts from damaging walls and fixtures such as refrigerators and checkout counters.
It also makes outdoor cart corrals and the Bean products, which combine full-capacity shopping carts with an easy-to-manoeuvre toy car that safely transports children while entertaining them.
"We're very customer driven because our customers' requirements are extremely specific, based upon aisle and checkout counter width, turning radius, and other mechanical considerations", said Adam Stevens, Industrial Designer at McCue.
"And we deal with tolerances in fractions of an inch to match injection moulded components for a smooth surface".
"SolidWorks lets us visualise our concepts and quickly overcome the challenges that aesthetics and in-store dimensions present".
Stevens and his team used SolidWorks to quickly design and refine the models for Sprout, the smaller version of Bean that has modular basket sizes and is designed for stores with tighter spaces, such as CVS/pharmacy.
SolidWorks enabled the engineers to identify and fix part collisions and test fits for internal assemblies prior to production to ensure durability and safety.
The software also automated changes throughout the design, saving time and further reducing the risk of manufacturing errors.
According to Stevens, sending 3D models to the manufacturing team significantly reduced the number of design reviews, edits, and questions that delay production, while accelerating quality control processes.
McCue cut 20% from its normal product development time (including hand modelling and design iterations in 2D) for the Sprout using SolidWorks software.
McCue uses SolidWorks' eDrawings e-mail-enabled design communication tool to share 3D product models with colleagues, suppliers, manufacturers, and customers.
It also uses PhotoWorks and SolidWorks Animator to enhance design communication, sales, and marketing programs by presenting rich, 3D models of its products in its brochures.
The company also uses SolidWorks exploded views to generate easy-to-follow assembly instructions.
"McCue is another example of a SolidWorks customer whose product touches our everyday lives", said Ilya Mirman, Vice President of Marketing at SolidWorks.
"Designing a $30 part to safeguard a $7000 display case from constant brushes with carts is very important for both the store and its customers who bear the cost of replacement".
"SolidWorks gives McCue the tools to design bumpers, Beans and corrals that are safe, functional, dependable, and fun".
McCue Corporation works with SolidWorks reseller CADD Edge for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
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