Challenge

Commercialize the DTV (dual-tracked vehicle) Shredder concept by continuing development, securing international patents, and achieving compliance with government regulatory standards, including those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while developing other products and uses for its innovative tracked vehicle system.

Solution

Continue using SOLIDWORKS® Premium design and simulation software while adding SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management) Professional software.

Results

  • Cut design time by 50 percent
  • Reduced number of prototypes required
  • Expanded product line
  • Secured international patents and met U.S. EPA regulatory requirements

The DTV (dual-tracked vehicle) Shredder combines a sensational mix of snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and jet skiing on land in a motorized tracked vehicle with all terrain, all season capabilities that packs an adrenaline-pumping exciting drive.

Ryan Fairhead, who grew up snowboarding, motocross biking, and snowmobiling, developed a prototype in 2009 with SOLIDWORKS® by thinking way outside the box to create a vehicle on two tank-style tracks that could fit in an SUV.

 

DTV Shredder on the trail

 

Commercializing the DTV Shredder

With SOLIDWORKS design, simulation, and PDM solutions, DTV Motor Corp. successfully commercialized the DTV Shredder, selling several thousand units worldwide. “Refining the initial shredder concept required a lot of work on the engine design to meet the stringent [U.S.] EPA standards for small engine emissions,” says Fairhead, vice president of DTV Motor Corp.

“But we also did a lot of complex design and simulation work on the speed-sensitive steering and the CVT transmission systems,” Fairhead continues. “We realized the biggest benefits from SOLIDWORKS Simulation on the CVT transmission—simulating the movement of different parts of the transmission—but we also used Simulation on our speed-sensitive steering/body lean system.”

 

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SOLIDWORKS rendering of DTV Shredder

 

At one point, the company had the opportunity to move to Autodesk Fusion 360® CAD software when one of our advisors recommended it.

 

 

It was a no-brainer to continue using SOLIDWORKS to refine and commercialize our design because it allows us to use simulation to prototype concepts, quickly revise the design, and run another simulation. Using SOLIDWORKS product development tools enables us to reduce the number of prototypes required while cutting design cycles in half.

Ryan Fairhead
vice president of DTV Motor Corp

Expanding the Product Line and Entering the Electric Vehicle Market

After refining and commercializing the initial design, the company leveraged SOLIDWORKS design and engineering tools to expand its product line into an entry model, an all-terrain recreational model, and a utility model designed for low speed with double the towing capacity. The company also developed a track kit that customers can mount on their own vehicles.

 

DTV Shredder pulling a wagon

 

Fairhead notes, “While our main focus has been on improving the design of the DTV Shredder as its own vehicle, we’ve sold our track kit for multiple applications, such as wheelchairs, for example. With SOLIDWORKS solutions, we have the product development agility and flexibility to take advantage of these types of opportunities.”

DTV Motor Corp. is also developing an electric-drive version of the DTV Shredder. The company’s waiting list is growing along with excitement surrounding its newest innovation.

Concludes Fairhead, “It is fortunate for us that we have SOLIDWORKS design and engineering tools to capture this excitement and meet our ambitious release goals. We’ve used SOLIDWORKS as our go-to tool right from day one, and the enhancements and improvements made to the software over the years enable us to take advantage of emerging consumer demands, like with the EV [electric vehicle] version of the DTV Shredder.”

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