CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
24 July 2012
Implementation Investments
Roof for Two Uses SolidWorks Software to Design Roof for Motorcyclists
India, which boasts the largest percentage of motorcycle riders in the world, is notorious for busy roads. Relying on open-air transportation is especially dangerous during monsoon season, when riders risk low visibility and harsh weather conditions during every day travel. This is why Roof For Two LLC decided to develop a new product using SolidWorks® 3D design software, with support from FISHER/UNITECH, a SolidWorks Value Added Reseller.
Roof For Two, founded by a group of Tufts University graduates in 2011, solves the discomfort and complications associated with riding in inclement weather faced by millions of South Asian motorcyclists and their families year-round. The solution is a bike roof that is mounted on a motorcycle to shield riders from wet weather, as well as heat and cold.
The collapsible, detachable roof was designed to be pulled over a motorcycle in a few seconds to protect the rider from heavy rain. The mounting system is comprised of several metals, including steel and aluminum. The design team at Roof For Two used SolidWorks Professional, SolidWorks Simulation, and SolidWorks Flow Simulation to create the entire frame, define the shape of the canopy, and prepare it for fabrication.
"We’ve essentially created a sleek portable ‘tent’ that easily attaches to a motorcycle,” said David Chen, co-founder and head of product development for Roof For Two. “When taking on a project like this, it’s important to weigh all factors, including air flow. This consideration made SolidWorks Simulation a critical tool for us, as we determined how the product would stand up to wind, rain, and other drivers; it is the key to design integrity and safety.”
Using SolidWorks Flow Simulation, the Roof For Two team determined how air flows around different parts of the design to keep the solution aerodynamic. SolidWorks Simulation allowed the team to test stresses and impact of load on the mounts to assess whether reinforcements were needed. Additionally, the ability to visualize the product in 3D was crucial to finishing the overall concept, as the design sits on top of an existing vehicle.
“The work that Roof For Two is doing in South Asia is commendable—and difficult,” said Jenny Giolas, Regional Technical Manager, FISHER/UNITECH. “With a complex design created, simulated and fabricated from the ground up, Roof For Two put a lot on the line when it decided to bring this design to market. We’re proud to be an integral part of a solution that will affect so many lives.”
The Roof For Two canopy is currently in beta testing, and is expected to go to market in Spring 2013. More information is available at: http://www.rooffortwo.com/
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