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Solid Edge lets engineers at Agio Cigars detail every component in their cigarmaking machines in 3D. |
Engineers at Agio Cigars, Duizel, Holland, now use a solid-modeling CAD system to move designs from concept to production. The cigar manufacturer relies on Solid Edge's 3D modeler to design individual machine parts and combine them into virtual assemblies for a check of proper fit.
"Our engineers also use models to simulate machine motion and check for interferences," says Agio mechanical engineer Chester Geersen. "Our machines use many cam transmissions and the modeler makes it easy to simulate part movements," he adds.
Geersen says he switched to designing in 3D because productivity was low in 2D. "Too much time was spent creating and modifying 2D drawings. And we always found errors in different views, no matter how good the engineer."
Production planners also use 3D models to visualize product structures. The modeler generates information that serves as a source for drawings, spare-parts manuals, and assembly instructions. These include spare-parts lists with corresponding part numbers and detailed instructions on how to assemble machines. "Information is higher quality, which aids in production because there are fewer assembly disruptions," he says.
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