Product category:
3D CAD software
News Release from: SolidWorks Corporation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 09 November 2006
3D CAD helps bike designer to do it
himself
Redneck Engineering, a South Carolina company crafting custom motorcycles for everyday folks, is building better bikes faster with SolidWorks 3D CAD software.
Redneck Engineering, a South Carolina company crafting custom motorcycles for everyday folks, is building better bikes faster with SolidWorks 3D CAD software SolidWorks is Redneck's first CAD software product
Owner Vince "Nobody" Doll learned to use SolidWorks software last year in a four-day crash course and has since shortened his concept-to-product cycle by 75%.
Prior to learning SolidWorks software, he had been frustrated trying to communicate his intent to CAD specialists who second-guessed him.
Within 24 hours of finishing his training course, Doll solved a problem he'd been working on for two weeks, quickly completing the design for the XB Bobber, a popular low-slung street rod.
SolidWorks Office Premium and its integrated Cosmos analysis software also enabled Redneck to develop its first line of "soft tails", or bikes with rear suspension.
"I wanted 3D CAD so I could create models myself rather than describe my ideas to someone who thought he knew better than I did", Doll said.
"My research on CAD products on the market came out six-to-one in favour of SolidWorks software for its ease of use and bang for the buck".
"My choice panned out".
"When I went through training, there were half a dozen engineers learning SolidWorks, too, but I was able to keep up with them".
"I'd dabbled previously with AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor software, but they were goofy to learn".
"SolidWorks, on the other hand, is easy enough to use for anybody".
"It's the best money I ever spent on my business".
SolidWorks software paid for itself many times over, according to Doll.
It has allowed Redneck to sell pricey prototyping machines the company no longer needs since designs can now be developed and analysed completely online.
SolidWorks software has streamlined communication between Doll and his 20 employees who make the bikes.
Doll can now set a part model printout on a work table and design the tooling right around it, reducing tooling time from two weeks to two hours.
Perhaps most importantly, SolidWorks and Cosmos software are helping Redneck build better motorcycles.
The software makes it easy to achieve the proper fork trail - the offset of the front wheel axle from the fork axis - and CosmosMotion helps ensure that bikes stay flat while steering.
Doll can easily analyse suspension design, including compression, rebound rates, and swing-arm action.
Mass properties enable the company to quickly calculate weights and pinpoint centres of balance for sure handling.
SolidWorks has also taken over calculation work Doll previously performed with cumbersome spreadsheets.
These capabilities came together dramatically in the company's daring customisation of a rare Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle that will be showcased at the prestigious Antique Motorcycle Show next spring at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Los Angeles.
Doll explains that SolidWorks "frees (his) mind" by letting him make a 3D model, tack a printout on the wall, and think about improving the design every time he walks by it.
He demonstrated SolidWorks software to other bike builders at the recent Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, prompting a German designer to switch to SolidWorks from AutoCAD.
"Art and engineering make fine bedfellows, and that's what you're experiencing when you see one of Redneck's machines", said Rainer Gawlick, SolidWorks Corp's Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.
"SolidWorks software helps the inspired designer concentrate on his or her vision rather than the workings of the CAD tool, resulting in machines that demonstrate superior looks and performance".
Redneck Engineering relies on authorised SolidWorks reseller TPM for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
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