CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
13 March 2013
Implementation Investments
LinenLOCK Keeps Bed Sheets in Place with SolidWorks 3D Design
Charles Patzer was tired of waking up to a bed with sheets caught in a tangled mess and strewn in every which direction. A 22-year R&D expert with 57 patents to his name, Patzer turned to 3DVision Technologies, a SolidWorks® software Value Added Reseller, for help in solving this bed sheet nightmare. Patzer’s problem resulted in creating LinenLOCKTM, a fitted plastic sheet holder for a bed that eliminates tangled and loosened sheets.
Patzer previously used SolidWorks during his time in R&D for a major medical device company. When he decided to open a consulting firm, he soon recognized that SolidWorks 3D design software would be critical for creating plastic molds that reduces materials and minimizes manufacturing costs.
“When I first designed LinenLOCK, the plastic injection mold was large enough for two cavities, but it only yielded one final cavity,” said Patzer. “The mold’s size and yield made it clear that materials needed to be reduced for LinenLOCK to achieve a competitive price point. Thanks to SolidWorks, I was able to modify my original models to not only reduce costs, but produce a stronger, more durable product.”
In the end, Patzer created a new set of cavities that decreased LinenLOCK’s material weight by approximately 30 percent and maintained its cost point. “The beauty of SolidWorks is the ability to remove excess plastic, predict the part’s weight and ensure its strength,” said Patzer.
Further, Patzer has taken advantage of SolidWorks eDrawings® software to help communicate LinenLOCK’s features and components to third parties. eDrawings, now available on the iPad® tablet device, allows Patzer to provide a visual description of his product to partners, vendors and patent attorneys who do not have SolidWorks. “Many people outside of the mechanical design realm greatly benefit from actually seeing your product on their iPad. eDrawings has allowed to me to add an interactive visual component that helps me better represent my product and invention to potential buyers and professionals not familiar with the design process.”
Since designing LinenLOCK, Patzer has been demonstrating the product at major tradeshows and teaming with top retailers including Amazon, SkyMall and Bed Bath & Beyond to end the tangled sheet situation and continues to dream of inventions to solve housekeeping problems.
“Seeing LinenLOCK hit the shelves at major retailers is a great success for Charles and demonstrates how inventors can benefit from SolidWorks design software,” said Todd Majeski, President, 3DVision Technologies. “Charles recognized a problem, used his engineering background, refined his invention in SolidWorks and ultimately created a successful product addressing the issue. The process really sounds like a dream, especially when an inventor achieves his goal.”
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