Local manufacturers, who quickly adopted computer-aided design (CAD) technology when it was introduced in the '80s, are turning to 3D model-based design to remain competitive in the 21st century. This is according to design technology company, Autodesk.

According to the company, there is a compelling business argument in favour of 3D design. Accelerated design schedules continue to shrink time to market, while knowledge-sharing capability extends intelligent digital design data to supply and values chains. "And the ease with which manufacturers can now migrate from 2D makes model-based technology an even more attractive option," says Errol Ashwell, managing director of Autodesk Africa.

Ashwell makes reference to Autodesk Inventor that offers a complete digital design-to-manufacture solution.

The 3D manufacturing design software has been developed specifically to make the move from 2D to 3D design as seamless as possible.

The adaptive technology of Inventor, coupled with intelligent design tools, enable users to concentrate of design intent, rather than on intricate equations and repetitive keystrokes.

Adaptivity also simplifies later changes in assemblies. Single parts can be changed regardless of the order in which they were created. In addition, by using iFeatures (intelligent features), users can create customer-specific design elements without having to program a single line. This means that design details that are specific to a certain company can be stored in a type of 'knowledge library'. Repeated use of these elements saves time and promotes increasing standardisation in design.

Furthermore, in Autodesk Inventor Release 5.3 - now available in South Africa - when a part is dropped into the assembly, an audible cue informs the user that the part is correctly constrained in place.

According to Ashwell, evaluation of a design system is much more than exploring simple functionality of a product. "Appraisal of a new solution must include strategic aspects and of primary importance is the company that stands behind the software - its size, experience, past, and future."

Autodesk (Africa)

012 664 8115