Knapheide Invests in SolidWorks 3D Design Software to Keep New Truck Body Designs Rolling; North American Market Leader Speeds Innovation and Customization.
Published in: Business Wire
Date: 4/5/2006
Knapheide Manufacturing Company, the dominant producer of steel service truck bodies and platform/stake style truck bodies, has selected SolidWorks(R) software to accelerate innovation of new products in the general market as well as reduce design time for products it customizes for corporate truck fleets, municipalities, general contractors, and individuals.
The Quincy, Ill., company’s extensive product line includes dump bodies, service bodies, crane bodies, line bodies, tool boxes, landscaper bodies, and platforms. The company routinely customizes designs for individuals and organizations. For example, Knapheide recently built custom bodies for a plumbing company converting a trailer and truck combination into one super “workshop on wheels.”
In the short time Knapheide has been using SolidWorks 3D CAD software, the company has provided numerous approval drawings to customers that allow them to visualize and modify their design prior to order commitment. For one custom platform customer Knapheide was able to go from concept to production in approximately six weeks. This design included layouts, approval drawings, finite element analysis (FEA), and design for manufacturing concepts that would have taken many months to complete prior to Knapheide’s conversion to SolidWorks.
“We switched from AutoCAD Inventor(R) to SolidWorks software last October to fully realize the speed and efficiency of 3D design,” said Chris Weiss, Knapheide vice president of engineering. “We wanted to invest in the most feature-rich and easiest-to-use software from the most compatible business partner. Of all the alternatives for our evolution from AutoCAD(R), SolidWorks made the most financial and engineering sense. SolidWorks software enables us to innovate the way we want to, rather than having to conform our processes to our software, and it is the only mechanical design product that interoperates easily with our high-tech manufacturing center.”
In addition to embracing SolidWorks, Knapheide is using SolidWorks’ COSMOSWorks(R) analysis software to further shorten its design cycle. COSMOSWorks helps ensure that designs can tolerate the stress of heavy use while using no more materials than necessary for the work, thereby reducing the need for prototypes. Knapheide uses eDrawings(R) viewing and publishing software to communicate designs with customers and with manufacturing. Knapheide uses Dassault Systemes’ SMARTEAM(R) product lifecycle management software for managing bills of material, engineering change orders, and fostering collaboration for design teams and projects.
“Ease of use is critical for quickly and fully realizing the benefits of switching to 3D design software,” said Rainer Gawlick, SolidWorks vice president of worldwide marketing. “That’s why Knapheide invested in SolidWorks software, enabling the company to even better serve its many markets and individual customers who require customization and quick product delivery.”
Knapheide relies on SolidWorks reseller Computer Aided Technology, Inc. (CATI) for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
About The Knapheide Manufacturing Company
The Knapheide Manufacturing Company is a full-service commercial vehicle body manufacturer that designs solutions to end-user problems. Products include service bodies, utility vans, line bodies, crane bodies, dump bodies, platforms, custom-designed bodies, hoists, and toolboxes. Established in Quincy, Ill., more than 150 years ago (1848), Knapheide has been a proud part of the automotive industry from the very beginning. Starting with wagons, moving into cabs and bodies for the Ford Model-T, and eventually evolving into bodies as tools for a multitude of trades, Knapheide continues to move the industry forward with new products and outstanding quality. Knapheide is committed to providing its immense distribution network and dealer base with product and expert services when and where they need it. For more information, visit www.knapheide.com.
About CATI
Computer Aided Technology, Inc. (CATI), headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Ill., provides the Midwest with six full-service facilities, supporting Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. CATI creates competitive advantage for manufacturing clients by leveraging an industry-experienced team and leading technology solutions. CATI is the Nation’s original SolidWorks Reseller and a Top Reseller of SolidWorks in the Midwest. CATI is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions to engineering, manufacturing, and educational sectors and offers a full suite of SolidWorks Solution Partner technologies including CAD, CAE, CAID, CAM, ECAD, and PDM solutions. For the latest news from CATI, visit the company’s Web site at www.cati.com or contact a representative at 888-308-2284.
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, providing intuitive, high-performing software that helps product design teams develop great products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
SolidWorks and eDrawings are registered trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation COSMOSWorks is a registered trademark of Structural Research and Analysis Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2006 SolidWorks Corporation.