CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
25 July 2012
Implementation Investments
Motorsport Cooling System Provider Streamlines Business Processes with Intercad
Automotive cooling solution provider, PWR Performance Products, has streamlined its business design processes and output as a result of its computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) implementation from Australian specialist, Intercad.
Intercad is an Australian and New Zealand authorised reseller of SolidWorks 3D CAD/CAM technology, supported by a comprehensive portfolio of technical and business services. The company has more than 20 years’ experience in the design, engineering and manufacturing industries.
Based in Ormeau, Queensland, in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, PWR is in high performance automotive cooling research and development. The Australian family-owned company focuses on performance cooling solutions. As well as servicing the Australian market, the company’s products are exported all over the world, with the European, UK and US markets making up 60 per cent of its sales (the company has subsidiaries in the US and UK). The company has become known as a successful motorsport teams world-wide, with seven F1 racing teams using SolidWorks designed state-of-the-art cooling systems. In addition to F1, PWR supplies systems for NASCAR, V8 Supercars, IRL and World Rally Championships.
Away from motorsport, the Gold Coast performance company has a strong following with street car enthusiasts and is securing more OEM contracts, including cooling Aston Martin’s latest V12 supercar, the One-77.
PWR has always been an early adopter of new technologies and Marshall Vann, PWR’s General Manager, says moving to a standardised 3D CAD/CAM design system was just another way to ensure the company remained innovative and competitive.
"No one else in the world offers the end-to-end solution that we have. The factory is purpose built to produce the best radiators," says Vann. "As the business grew, we found it challenging maintaining consistent design, output and processes across the team."
For years, PWR used four different CAD/CAM softwares to design its in-demand radiators and cooling systems. Vann said that this was not an ideal scenario in terms of making the company work efficiently. PWR decided 18 months ago to review its processes and move to a common platform.
"We have 10,000 legacy drawings from the old CAD systems. Our aim has never been to re-do 10,000 drawings. As new drawings need to be done, they are created on SolidWorks. This way, we are getting the consistency we need across the business," said Vann.
When purchasing SolidWorks, PWR also invested in training from Intercad to ensure its staff quickly got to a high level of proficiency.
"The transition to SolidWorks was smooth, people picked it up quickly and the training certainly helped. Now no one uses anything but SolidWorks for new work, and the team is able to discuss projects over a common platform. We have achieved our business objective of streamlining processes for better business productivity, and, in turn, are able to better service our customers," said Vann.
"Another benefit we gained from standardising on SolidWorks, that was not originally considered, was the ability to easily find skilled design staff who were proficient on the platform. This has also helped our business significantly, as there is little down time in the handover process," added Vann.
PWR is building a state-of-the-art heat exchanger wind tunnel that simulates track and road conditions for testing purposes. To maintain its industry leadership position, and keep up with high-level racing teams, the company decided 12 months ago to invest in an even bigger wind tunnel to keep it at the leading edge of development.
"We are using SolidWorks to design what will be the most powerful wind tunnel of its type in the world. The heat it will generate, the wind that we will be able to push through it, the size that it can test – all these things together will make it the most powerful testing tool in the world," said Vann. "It will be available for race teams and the like to use."
"It has become increasingly difficult for local manufacturers to compete against cheaper, imported goods. It is great to see an Australian company competing based on the quality and strength of its designs, exporting to key industries where it maintains its reputation as a manufacturer of reliable, leading-edge products," said Max Piper, CEO, Intercad.
About Intercad Pty Ltd
Intercad Pty Ltd is a distributor of SolidWorks in Australia and New Zealand. Intercad Pty Ltd specialises in Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering, Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (MCAE/CAD/PDM/FEA) solutions. Established in 1987 with offices in each major state capital in Australia and in New Zealand, its core activities include software sales, technical support, training and consulting services. For more information please visit www.intercad.com.au
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