Gentex Chooses SolidWorks Software to Speed Time to Market for Its Safety-Enhancing, Automotive Rearview Mirrors
CONCORD, Mass.--June 10, 2002--3D CAD software's ease of use and visualization capabilities help leading manufacturer of auto-dimming automobile rearview mirrors design machinery in record time
SolidWorks Corporation today announced that Gentex Corporation is using its three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) software to help the company speed design of the machinery it uses to manufacture its auto-dimming rearview mirrors. SolidWorks(R) software allows Gentex to easily make continual improvements to its complex machinery, enabling the company to produce mirrors that help make night driving safer.
Zeeland, Mich.-based Gentex has made night driving safer for millions. Gentex ships more than 80 percent of the world's auto-dimming mirrors, and has shipped more than 40 million mirrors since 1987. The machines that manufacture these mirrors range in complexity from 10 parts to 200-foot assembly lines. The company previously used 2D CAD software to design these machines, but wanted the visualization and analysis capabilities available in 3D CAD. These capabilities allow Gentex to get input from designers up front, before moving onto manufacturing prototypes. Gentex chose SolidWorks 3D software because it provided powerful visualization and large assembly capabilities and was also easy to learn and use.
"SolidWorks is extremely intuitive," said Mike Garvelink, a design engineer at Gentex. "We've found SolidWorks helps less mechanically trained staff understand the design process better than when we use AutoCAD because they can see 3D models of their designs before we build them. This capability enables us to design machines quicker and increases our chances of getting the parts right the first time."
In addition to its powerful functionality and ease of use, Gentex chose SolidWorks because of its extensive partner program. Gentex currently uses several SolidWorks partner solutions, including COSMOS/Works for analysis, CAMWorks for solid machining, and RobotWorks for generating robotic interfaces and paths.
"SolidWorks' ability to communicate a design effectively so even the most non-technical person can `see' it helps companies develop products faster because the process isn't limited to just a few well-trained draftsmen," said Mike Crismond, vice president of sales for SolidWorks Corporation. "Industry leaders like Gentex appreciate the versatility and visualization capabilities in SolidWorks. Using the software, Gentex can draw a wide circle of technical and non-technical contributors into the design process to ensure the accuracy of the machinery that produces their safety-enhancing mirrors."
Gentex is working with SolidWorks reseller Microsolid Solutions for ongoing software implementation, training, and support.
About Gentex
Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. The company develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic, automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) mirrors, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial applications. The leading supplier of auto-dimming mirrors for the motor vehicle industry, Gentex' OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Rover, Rolls Royce, Samsung Motors, SsangYong Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
About Microsolid Solutions
Microsolid Solutions assists companies in the transition and implementation of solid modeling technologies for the Windows NT/98 environment. As one of the first resellers of SolidWorks for Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, Microsolid Solutions provides the local sales, certified training, and technical support as a Value Added Reseller. Contact Microsolid Solutions directly at (888) 327-2974 or via the Web at www.microsolid.com or DDarbyshire@Microsolid.com.
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. company, develops and markets mechanical design software solutions. Founded in 1993, SolidWorks' mission is to unleash the power of 3D for everyone in product development. In six years of shipping product, SolidWorks has shipped more than 175,000 total seats of software worldwide. SolidWorks has offices around the globe and sells, distributes, and supports its products through a worldwide network of resellers. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2002 SolidWorks Corporation.