CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
15 September 2004
Implementation Investments
Cervélo Cycles Standardizes on SolidWorks, Nets Victories in the Tour de France, Olympics, and Ironman
Cervélo Cycles has standardized on SolidWorks ® 3D mechanical design software to create carbon fiber bicycles ridden to victories in this summer's Tour de France, Ironman Triathlon, and Olympic Games.
American pro cyclist Bobby Julich rode a Cervélo P3 to a bronze medal in the Olympic men's individual time trial in August. Simon Lessing rode a Cervélo P3 to victory in his first Ironman USA triathlon in July. Team CSC-Cervélo's Ivan Basso, leader of pro cycling's number-two ranked team, claimed third overall in the Tour de France on a Cervélo R2.5, beating Tour champion Lance Armstrong in a critical stage in the Pyrenees.
Between Cervélo, Canada's leading bicycle maker, and Trek, a leading American manufacturer, four of the top 10 places in the Tour de France went to riders on bikes designed by a company that uses SolidWorks software. Cervélo switched to SolidWorks from AutoCAD® a year and a half ago to better design new wind-cheating aerodynamic frame shapes in carbon fiber. Two-dimensional design software is suited only to the round steel tubes used in older bicycles, according to the company.
"I like the fact that SolidWorks easily carries out functions that are difficult to execute in other 3D packages," said Cervélo Engineer Kevin Quan. "I often ask the software to do things that I'm not even sure can be done. I click on a few lines. The computer suggests designs I hadn't imagined, and I accept them. My sketching skills are good but they're limited by what I can imagine. SolidWorks shows me what's possible." Cervélo proved the effectiveness of its designs this spring at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in pre-Tour wind tunnel tests with team leaders Basso and Carlos Sastre.
The company uses a number of powerful features embedded in SolidWorks software to supplement its mechanical design work. The SolidWorks eDrawingsT email-enabled communication tool and the SolidWorks 3D Instant Website single-click Web-publishing tool streamline the design review process with Cervélo and its suppliers and partners. Cervélo uses COSMOSXpressT design analysis software to test Cervélo components like forks and seat posts as well as parts of the frame that are subjected to heavy stress. Cervélo uses PDMWorks® to search and instantly retrieve up-to-date designs rather than wade through complex file structures.
Cervélo works with authorized SolidWorks reseller CAD MicroSolutions Inc. for ongoing software training, implementation, and support. Cervélo was able to leverage CAD MicroSolutions' Manufacturing Team of consultants to accelerate its design production process.
Founded in 1984, CAD MicroSolutions services include training, implementation, consulting, and software development. For more information visit http://www.cadmicro.com
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