Conversion software is number-one formula

For AP Racing and its 21 CAD engineers, Theorem's Catia/SolidWorks bidirectional CADverter provides the ideal solution to translating data between dissimilar CAD systems.

AP Racing is a world leader in motor sport competition components, with the ability to convert maximum power into optimum performance.

So, it is no wonder that the company continued its association with "winning teams" by turning to Theorem Solutions, another world leader in its field.

Theorem was chosen because of its unrivalled skills in providing translation solutions which enabled design data to be shared between different CAD systems.

AP Racing supplies brake and clutch systems to the motor sport and high-performance road cars markets.

Recognised as a dominant force in dynamic motor technology, the Coventry-based company works closely with its customers to further develop systems, techniques and materials that constantly probe the boundaries of technology.

This partnership with leading motor manufacturers and the most successful racing and rallying teams enables AP Racing to produce components that deliver the kind of performance that translates power into results.

It is not uncommon for OEMs in the mechanical design sector to encounter product data exchange problems when customers and suppliers replace, update and improve their CAD/CAM systems.

For AP Racing and its 21 CAD engineers, Theorem's Catia/SolidWorks bidirectional CADverter provided the ideal solution to translating data between dissimilar systems.

"Previously we had used Iges to convert design data between different CAD systems but this wasted much effort, time and cost, particularly when working with Catia files", said AP Racing's CAD Administrator Richard Bonsor.

"Many Catia files had to be sent out for remodelling before we could use them on our SolidWorks system.

At one stage we were sending files to India to remodel and having to wait weeks for their return, often with misinterpreted data which necessitated further remodelling".

"CADverter brings us significant savings because of its ability to convert all forms of complex geometry - so eliminating the costly need to recreate missing data".

Theorem's CADverter converts the incoming data into Parasolid which is the kernel of SolidWorks.

AP Racing then uses SolidWorks to design the component, which is converted back to Catia by CADverter for e-mailing to the customer.

In addition to reducing time to market, Theorem's recent release of CADverter 6.1 enables the file size to be reduced by up to a third of its original size.

Comments Engineering Director Nick Mennell: "The ability to reduce the file size is a real bonus for AP Racing, as it enables us to overcome the 10Mbyte barrier in e-mailing files.

This attribute allows us more options to optimise our service to customers".

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