Product category:
3D CAD software
News Release from: SolidWorks Corporation | Subject: SolidWorks 3D CAD software
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 22 August 2006
Software accelerates new car kit designs
Factory Five Racing is using SolidWorks 3D CAD software to design racing car kits that make hobbyists' dreams come true.
From Cobra and Ferrari kit cars and even its own street-legal supercar kit, Factory Five Racing has cut development time and costs in half with SolidWorks and Cosmos design analysis software Founded in 1995 in Wareham, Massachusetts, Factory Five began as a way for engineers who were also car nuts to blend their skills with their passion
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 9 May 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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The company makes the kits that hobbyists need to build their own replica of some of the fastest sports cars ever produced.
The company standardised on SolidWorks to accelerate new car kit designs, improve engineering productivity, reduce errors, and constantly refine the cars' design to meet customer demands.
"Although most of our customers are over-the-top hobbyists like Tim Taylor, the guy from the 'Home Improvement' TV show, our kits still have to be perfect all the time because we're dealing with people with different skill levels", said David Smith, Factory Five President.
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"SolidWorks gives us a competitive advantage over other kit car companies because every part we make works right out of the box".
"SolidWorks lets us design and test every component on the computer and eliminate errors".
"It also lets us develop better new car kits faster than competitors".
Factory Five has cut the development time of its tube frames in half because SolidWorks allows engineers to share designs directly with fabricators.
These fabricators use the designs to guide laser cutting machines that cut all of the frame parts, including the tubes and jigs (the devices used to hold the frames in place).
Previously, fabricators had to interpret Factory Five drawings and manufacture the frame assemblies by hand, increasing the potential for errors.
"SolidWorks has doubled our efficiency and reduced the amount of re-work because it gives us the accuracy we need up front", said Mike Pisani, Mechanical Engineer at Factory Five Racing.
"It reduced the labour costs of having fabricators hand-work the frame, and it's opened new doors to creativity that were closed to us by Pro/Engineer and AutoCAD software".
Factory Five uses the CosmosXpress design analysis tool to test how parts such as the suspension brackets will stand up as the car rockets down the highway.
The company also uses the eDrawings e-mail-enabled design communication tool to share parts models with suppliers and further ensure accuracy.
"What Factory Five has accomplished is awe-inspiring to anyone who has launched their own company", said John McEleney, SolidWorks CEO.
"The founders built a company on passion and technical skill, and they breathe that into every car kit they sell".
"It is no wonder they've chosen SolidWorks as the foundation for every one of their cars".
To hear Smith talk about the company's evolution and the challenges of designing a sports car kit, listen to the podcast on the SolidWorks website.
Factory Five relies on authorised SolidWorks reseller R and D Technologies for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
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