Software enables novel shower design concepts

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 22, 2004

Roman Showers is reducing product development time and helping customers experience innovative shower design concepts with SolidWorks 3D mechanical design and CosmosWorks design analysis software.

UK-based Roman Showers is reducing product development time and helping customers experience innovative shower design concepts with SolidWorks 3D mechanical design and CosmosWorks design analysis software.

SolidWorks and CosmosWorks enable Roman to discover creative concepts faster and more efficiently than its previous design software.

"Projects that might have taken three days with our previous design software now only take a half day in SolidWorks", said Steve Belcher, Design Manager at Roman.

"Design output with SolidWorks and CosmosWorks is faster and cleaner, so that we get the design right the first time".

"Production starts sooner and we get the products to market ahead of anyone else".

Roman standardised on SolidWorks and CosmosWorks software because it wanted to boost engineering productivity and reduce time to market for new shower designs, including moulds, dies and fixtures.

Speeding products to customers is especially important now as Europeans increasingly trade in their bathtubs for showers.

SolidWorks and CosmosWorks are easy to use, enabling new product designers to learn the software quickly while providing the tools to let the company's senior engineers accelerate design and development.

A key feature for Roman is that the software allows engineers to test different concepts with glass designs to see if they are practical, safe, and easily manufactured.

SolidWorks software helps Roman's engineers bring their concepts to life, while CosmosWorks validates them.

SolidWorks handles large-scale mould designs for the shower doors, as well as the minute details to ensure components fit tightly to prevent leaks.

Roman is using CosmosWorks to test different tolerances to see how their products will stand up to everyday use, as well as unexpected stress.

"We need to know what would happen to our equipment under specific stresses and situations, for example, if a three-year-old were to swing from a shower door handle", said Belcher.

"SolidWorks and CosmosWorks complement each other, enabling us to create aesthetically pleasing, durable designs that appeal to consumers".

"We need to capitalise on the growing market potential by quickly developing new products that look smart and are safe".

Founded in 1985 in Newton Aycliffe, UK, Roman first established a reputation for manufacturing products that bridged the gap between low-end showers and high-end, expensive units.

Its products include a broad range of shower products, including enclosures, sliding doors, bath screens, and shower trays (the bottom of the shower, including the drain).

Roman replaced Autodesk Inventor and Mechanical Desktop with SolidWorks.

The company's engineers use SolidWorks Routing to design the drains and water pipes that go with each product.

They also use SolidWorks PDMWorks to maintain version control for all of the designs generated, and eDrawings e-mail-enabled design collaboration tool to share 3D models with other development team members, sales and customer service staff, customers, and partners".

""Roman is taking advantage of a shift in consumer demand toward elegant shower facilities that are affordable", said SolidWorks Regional Director for the UK and Ireland Neil McArthur".

"Transitioning to SolidWorks and CosmosWorks has opened new design possibilities while reducing time to market to keep the company at the forefront of its field".

SolidWorks reseller CADConnect provides Roman with ongoing software training, implementation and support.