CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
9 October 2007
Implementation Investments
Bramptons Lift Gets a Jump on Competitors With Elevators Developed Using SolidWorks and DriveWorks
Bramptons Lift Manufacturers, Ltd. is using SolidWorks® 3D CAD software and design automation technology from SolidWorks Certified Gold Partner DriveWorks , Ltd. to deliver more customized elevators to customers faster, thus generating increased annual revenues. The integrated system has allowed the company to increase elevator design and manufacture from 75 to 200 in a year while enabling customers to choose from myriad options such as hardwood paneling, hand rails, glass walls, etc.
The €32 billion ($45.1 billion) global elevator market is extremely competitive, and the small London-based company has carved a niche for delivering stylized, functional passenger and cargo elevators for a broad range of clients throughout the U.K. Bramptons Lift had been using 2D drawings and manual drafting when it chose to standardize on SolidWorks and DriveWorks® software.
"We have a skill shortage in the U.K., so streamlining the design process is crucial," said Neil Dowse, Bramptons Lift managing director. "DriveWorks makes it fast and easy to capture customer specifications. SolidWorks minimizes the detailed engineering knowledge our designers need to develop elevators, fueling more creativity. In a market where artistry is often the deciding factor, SolidWorks and DriveWorks give us an advantage by allowing us to transcend standard lift design."
To begin an order for a new or refurbished elevator, customers work with Bramptons Lift staff to specify all of the necessary dimensions. Bramptons Lift staff then plug that information into the DriveWorks interface. DriveWorks automatically configures the lift design based on a set of pre-prescribed rules that ensure design accuracy, and generates a SolidWorks 3D model or 2D drawing.
As a SolidWorks Gold Partner Product, DriveWorks is integrated with SolidWorks software, allowing Bramptons designers to exchange information between the two applications within the design window. They can refine the design, relying on SolidWorks' sheet metal capabilities to finalize parts like the landing doors without having to know all of the engineering involved. According to Dowse, the time to create an initial design for customer review has dropped from a week to 15 minutes. Manufacturing typically begins within 24 hours of the initial design input.
"Bramptons Lift is a great example of a small manufacturer using SolidWorks and DriveWorks to capitalize on the benefits of knowledge-based engineering to succeed in a crowded market," said Michel Gros, SolidWorks' executive vice president, Europe. "Reducing the CAD overhead so designers can focus on creative solutions to meet customer needs and delivering products quickly is how companies like this excel."
Bramptons Lift relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller NT CADCAM for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
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