CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

20 August 2007

Implementation Investments

Cimatron Speeds up Prototype Manufacturing at MAHLE Group

MAHLE Group, one of the top 30 automotive suppliers worldwide, has successfully implemented Cimatron's integrated CAD/CAM solutions to speed up its prototype production operations.

To address a growing demand, MAHLE Group has added prototype manufacturing to the portfolio of services it provides to its automotive customers. "Prototyping is a critical and challenging phase in the process of automotive part manufacturing nowadays," said Ulrich Boch, manager of the prototype and utilities shop at MAHLE Group. "We often need to have the prototype ready in a very short order, even before the design is completed."

With such demanding time pressures, MAHLE was looking for a CAD/CAM solution that would not only reduce the time of individual tasks but also streamline the entire process from design to production. With frequent engineering changes occurring at the prototype phase, MAHLE needed a system that could allow such changes to be quickly and safely incorporated into existing designs.

Ulrich Boch explained the selection of Cimatron : "Looking back, Cimatron was the right choice for us. We desired to have a continuous system throughout the tool shop, starting from the design up to the milling machine. Cimatron is offering this continuity, as well as the interfaces for Catia and ProE which allow us to exchange product design data."

Functionality and ease-of-use have also played an important role in the selection of Cimatron as the system of choice at MAHLE. "The option to generate a tool set with only a few clicks and the ability to link to standard catalog components of all major manufacturers is highly appreciated by our users," said Marco Brosemer, manager of the tool making shop at MAHLE. "In addition, we find the Quick Compare functionality a key capability for prototype tool making."

Cimatron's Quick Compare functionality reduces the time and effort required to manage and implement engineering changes. The software analyzes and displays changes in design between different versions, allowing the designer to decide which changes to incorporate into the project. Steps that have previously performed, such as the separation of shapes, need not be repeated.

MAHLE's prototype tooling capabilities have increased considerably since it started offering the service. "Our tool shop began producing small tools four years ago; today, the largest tools can reach the dimensions of 800 x 1000 mm and mold clamping forces of up to 800 tons. The Cimatron software has been a significant enabler of our success in building up these capabilities in such a short time," said Boch.

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