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Rapid Development Services, Inc. designs and builds innovative manufacturing systems using the latest technology to provide customers with highly flexible and reliable turnkey manufacturing machinery. Unparalleled customer service, an intense focus on quality, dedication to meeting delivery schedules, and a reliance on process-focused development are the precepts by which RDS continues to maintain its status as one of the fastest growing companies in the country.
SolidWorks Express recently spoke with Jim Schultz – Senior Machine Designer at RDS – about the company's decision to migrate from 2D to 3D, and the decision to purchase SolidWorks® 3D CAD software.
Why did RDS decide to transition to 3D CAD?
"At RDS, being a state-of-the-art company means using state-of-the-art equipment and tools. Many of our customers were already using SolidWorks® 3D CAD software so it made sense to migrate from 2D to 3D and to consider using SolidWorks. We had some exposure to the power that it could provide and determined that it met our needs."
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| RDS used SolidWorks software to design this 60 packages-per-minute 6-parts-per-package assembly and packaging system. |
Which 3D CAD packages did you evaluate?
"We evaluated Autodesk Inventor™, Mechanical Desktop®, Pro/ENGINEER®, Solid Edge®, and SolidWorks software. We had been using AutoCAD, so it seemed logical that MDT or Inventor would provide a smooth transition to 3D. This was not the case. SolidWorks proved to be the more innovative and higher performance package."
Could you provide some details about your evaluation process?
"Inventor seemed user friendly at first because I was able to quickly make several parts. But creating relationships between parts became frustrating. As more parts and relationships were introduced, earlier relationships became more difficult to maintain and often became disjointed. This was even more a problem when the characteristics of the parts would change. The tutorial was not very helpful in resolving the problems either. SolidWorks' closest competitor was about four times the cost and had bells and whistles that we knew we would never use. The customers we deal with – who were already successfully using SolidWorks – were definitely a factor in our decision to purchase SolidWorks."
What was it like creating assemblies in SolidWorks?
"With Solidworks, mating the parts was a more logical and user-friendly experience. Subsequent improper relationships and over defined instances were quickly recognized. Changes in characteristics and configurations flowed smoothly. Design issues were noted and defined. The tutorial and help files were user friendly making the learning curve quick and the 2D-to-3D transition simple. Support from our Solidworks VAR was unparalleled. I was allowed to take the introductory SolidWorks course before purchasing our first seat with no obligation. The SolidWorks sales technician was confident of the quality of SolidWorks and the fact it would sell itself. The day that we received our first seat of SolidWorks I was making parts and assemblies for current projects. Our customers were immediately impressed with the quality of SolidWorks, which means they were confident they chose the right design firm."
Which SolidWorks features are most important to RDS?
"Large assembly design capability is a priority for us. SolidWorks makes working with large assemblies simple because the software is flexible and user friendly. In addition, SolidWorks recognizes the need for flexible compatibility with other software packages. This helps companies overall in the design and manufacturing industry. This is important because of our need to import and export other CAD formats."
Which add-on software is important to you?
"With PhotoWorks™, we can render photorealistic images that allow management to see and more easily understand design concepts. This helps projects move forward quickly, smoothly, and more positively. Using eDrawings, we can allow customers to view designs in a comprehensive and intelligent format that is not only conclusive but also an enjoyable experience. RDS-Solidworks proposals visually stand out with images of the actual machine, giving potential customers a better feel for what we do and what they are purchasing."
What are the results of using SolidWorks software?
"The total enjoyment of drawing in 3D instead of visualizing 2D stick drawings makes work a more positive experience. With 2D, the designer can see and understand the idea but to get others to understand the concept was always a challenge. With Solidworks, the designs explain themselves. This makes the design approval stage easier and faster.
"At RDS, there are now five CAD designers using SolidWorks as their preferred CAD program. Not only do we enjoy using it but also found the benefit of flexibility it gives our manufacturing. The transition from the predesign phase to the design phase to the manufacturing phase flows more efficiently now that we use SolidWorks."
- Shortened our product design cycle by 30 to 40%
- Reduced development costs by 30 to 40% – for proposals, SolidWorks is priceless
- Reduces questions and errors at the shop in the assembly process
- Helped us maintain our position as a cutting-edge company growing 30% per year
What do you think is the future of 3D CAD?
"I think SolidWorks is the leader and other CAD companies look to SolidWorks for the latest features and technology. And SolidWorks will likely maintain this leadership because the vast number of SolidWorks users worldwide creates a large mass of customer input, which helps SolidWorks remain at the forefront of 3D solid design. I think SolidWorks is - and will continue to be - the standard in 3D, making it the clear choice for RDS's future needs."
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