Smart about 3D, lets use it

When we design parts and assemblies using any 3D program the greatest benefit of this is we have already built the unit in the computer at least once before it goes to the floor.

When designing using 3D we make parts and assemble them just like you would in the real world. During the design phase designers find errors that would not normally be found when just looking at 2D drawings. We then modify the parts and assemblies to insure everything fits properly and is located in the correct location. Talk to any designer using 3D modeling and I am sure they will agree with this. The same thing happens if you are working on the shop floor building something from scratch (in the 3d world). You will put a series of parts together and then during final assembly you will often find that a part of two does not fit as you thought and you will modify on the fly to make it work. The exact same thing happens when designing in 3D, however it is typically a lot less expensive to modify a part on the computer than it is in the real world. This is the greatest reason for using the 3D modeling. You have already built a virtual part on the computer even before it gets to the floor.

It was about 15 years ago Industrial Revolution started using Pro/Eng for our designs. Before that everything was done in AutoCAD. What we found was the errors on the shop floor from mistakes on the drawings dropped by over 70% within a few weeks of switching to Pro/Eng. We switched to Pro/ENG not for this reason, but because many of our customers where using it and we wanted to match with them seamlessly. The previously unforeseen benefit of reduced rework however was huge even for a small shop like us.

We would like to see anyone using 3D modeling to please supply the part and general assembly drawings in a dxf format so we can use the data direct from your own files. What I do so often is redraw the locations of  tabs and parts for that have already been modeled. We often etch the layout direct to the metal parts. We are trying to eliminate the layout time for each part we are manufacturing and to increase the accuracy. However mistakes are still made sometimes if I am only copying from a 2D drawing to make another 2D drawing for etching. It seems to me to be a huge waste of time and a shame that we cannot use the data that is already available and correct. The benefits that are gained from doing the 3D modeling are being lost, or at least not utilized to the fullest.

I am passionate about this because manufacturing in North America is falling behind the rest of the world very fast. It is not just the fault of manufacturing but also government hindrance, but that is another story. We have the tools being used already to manufacture even better and to attempt to keep the price down.

Only those companies that are using their tools and skills to the maximum benefit will survive in the global market.

Building Not For Sale / Ind Rev Sales Are UP

The for sale sign came down in October. We had a few low ball offers that we did not accept. With so many places for sale the land devolopers are holding out for the guys that are bankrupt and must sell. With the economy being so slow for so long I have not seen a lot of companies starting up and growing. It would be this type of company that would likely purchase our building.

Industrial Revolution Ltd is continuing to see an upswing in sales. I would describe it as fragil as the companies that we are getting work from are doing well, however they are doing well because of others downsizing. What we like to see is everyone doing well and everyone growing. Until that happens North America is still in potential trouble.