CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
23 August 2004
Implementation Investments
COMPASS Product Design Sets Course on New Product Innovation Using SolidWorks 3D Design Software
A leading California product design company is using SolidWorks ® 3D mechanical design software to create a wide range of market-defining products-including body density chambers, wireless networking equipment, and biopsy devices-while cutting time to market by as much as 40 percent.
Products that COMPASS Product Design of Pleasanton, Calif., has recently created with SolidWorks include:
• The BodPod, a body density chamber that quickly and accurately calculates a person's lean body mass using a patented air displacement technology. BodPod, targeted for health clubs, is an especially valuable tool when integrated with a diet and exercise program.
• The first completely automated, completely self-contained, handheld breast biopsy device.
• An always-on, intelligent networking appliance that provides wireless last mile access to broadband, voice, and application services.
• An electronics communications device that brings real-time monitoring to residential electrical power users. The product is mounted outdoors and must endure moisture, temperature extremes, ultraviolet exposure, and pests.
• The SmartBox II, the latest addition to OnWafer Technology's suite of self-contained mobile metrology solutions for computer chip manufacturers. The design meets demanding cleanliness requirements for chipmakers worldwide and helps them optimize performance and increase manufacturing yields.
"We work around the clock to deliver projects on or ahead of schedule, and SolidWorks software supports us every step of the way," said Curt Anderson, president of COMPASS Product Design. "SolidWorks is intuitive and easy to use. Our engineers and a good number of our customers prefer it by a wide margin to any other mechanical design software. SolidWorks deftly handles complex surfaces like contours, dips, cuts, bows, and bumps. And the eDrawingsT e-mail-enabled collaboration tool makes it easy to give customers the 10,000-foot view of our designs, or the manufacturer a preview of a how an assembled product will come together."
COMPASS Product Design's newest design is a first-of-its kind laser skin rejuvenation system that delivers all the benefits of other companies' high-impact laser peeling and burning systems without the risk, pain, trauma, and extended healing period. SolidWorks software helped move the product, called the FraxelT SR, from concept to introduction in four months, about 40 percent of the time it typically takes.
COMPASS Product Design relies on SolidWorks reseller HawkRidge Systems in Oakland, Calif., for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
COMPASS Product Design is a full service product design and development firm located in Pleasanton, Calif. Founded in 1989, COMPASS provides industrial design, engineering, research, and production liaison service for a variety of industries and markets. Clients include Xerox, Clorox, AT&T, ShoreTel Communications, Nellcor Medical, Discovery Toys, and others. To contact them, call +1-925-485-1071 or visit the Web site at http://www.compassdesign.com
Hawk Ridge Systems is a complete 3D engineering solution provider, offering mechanical design automation software and support services to companies throughout the Western United States. For more information, visit http://www.hawkridgesys.com
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