Tokyo Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) recently revealed that it had significantly reduced development costs and cycles of its High Pick Lift forklift using IBM product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, including CATIA V5 developed by Dassault Systemes. Dassault Systemes also announced that TICO is currently using its DELMIA solution for the development, simulation and management in realtime of TICO's factory tools and production processes.

TICO began using PLM solutions from IBM and Dassault Systemes in late 2000. The solutions were implemented to develop forklifts as part of IT Propulsion, a company-wide program designed to improve business reactivity through the use of 3D data and improved information management and sharing. CATIA V5 Knowledgeware technology helped TICO achieve these goals by allowing the company to automatically combine standard design definitions with customer-specific functional requirements. This presents a major advantage in forklift development, commonly dictated by the built-to-order model consisting of many variations and options.

Using the collaborative functions of IBM PLM solutions, TICO has been able to integrate its 3D forklift product information with its manufacturing processes and resources, and design and simulate virtual factories using Dassault Systemes' DELMIA digital manufacturing solution.

In order to accelerate further global collaboration, TICO will deploy IBM and Dassault Systemes' SMARTEAM solution to connect selected development sites worldwide. TICO will integrate its 3D models, 2D drawings, technical documentation and BOM (bill of materials) using SMARTEAM, which provides collaborative product development and lifecycle management solutions.

For more information contact Igal Filipovski, CDC (CNC Design Consultants), 011 786 3516.