Michelin to Roll Out New Tire Manufacturing Machine Designs With Up to 1,000 Licenses of SolidWorks 3D CAD Software
CONCORD, Mass.--Nov. 4, 2002--Michelin, one of the global leaders in tire manufacturing, has agreed to purchase up to 1,000 licenses of SolidWorks(R) three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) software to design the massive machines that turn out millions of tires a year, SolidWorks announced today. Michelin expects SolidWorks to reduce its tire manufacturing machine design time significantly throughout its global operations. It will also use SolidWorks to convert existing 2D designs to 3D and effectively communicate designs with customers, suppliers, and different departments in the company.
Based in France, Michelin (www.michelin.com) is a $14.6 billion Fortune Global 500 enterprise that will standardize on SolidWorks software to design every new tire manufacturing machine it develops. These machines produce tires in nearly 80 factories in 18 countries. Michelin makes more than 21,000 different types of tires for a variety of vehicles, ranging from bikes, to passenger cars, to enormous heavy equipment used in mining and forestry operations that requires five-ton, two-story tires. To achieve the company's production goals, the tire manufacturing machines, which can reach the length of a football field and nearly match the complexity of an airplane's design, must meet exact specifications. A fraction of an inch difference could slow or halt production and affect revenue.
"The global tire market is extremely competitive, and we can't afford to have our production numbers slip because our CAD software is difficult to use," said Nathan Bayne, Michelin's director of engineering process for North America. "The machines that make our tires involve thousands of moving parts and are very complex. They have to make high volumes of dependable tires for everything from lawnmowers to the space shuttle. SolidWorks will make sure our engineers can design these machines right the first time, and it will help us complete these designs 20 percent faster than before."
Machine design, quickly and accurately the first time
Michelin engineers will rely on SolidWorks' intuitive user interface and design capabilities for complex assemblies to quickly produce new designs for its machines. Accelerating machine design and production will help Michelin get products to market faster than it had with other CAD software. When engineers complete a first draft of a design, they will use SolidWorks COSMOSWorks(TM) analysis software to ensure that the machines meet exact structural specifications to eliminate costly and time-consuming errors that could delay production. Michelin will also use SolidWorks to convert 2D designs to 3D as part of its migration to overall 3D design.
SolidWorks' ability to show exploded views (a zoomed-in view that shows how parts of a machine fit together) helps engineers spot potential problems and fix them before production begins. This capability will also help Michelin's maintenance workers see how the machines operate, so they can more quickly fix problems. Michelin is also using SolidWorks Animator to see how its products will function in motion. This view will help communicate how the machines will work to customers, suppliers, and employees.
"SolidWorks has the proven functionality and market reputation that we were looking for," said Jacques Lombardy, corporate project leader and engineering department IS manager for Michelin. "Moreover, SolidWorks will continue to refine its CAD platform and pass on the benefits to us. That dedication will help us stay at the top of the global tire market."
Michelin will phase in up to 1,000 seats of SolidWorks in its tire manufacturing machine plants around the world during the next five years.
"Michelin products are consistently ranked among the safest, most dependable on the market," said John McEleney, CEO of SolidWorks. "It is the world's second-largest tire manufacturer because it pays attention to details, including the design of the machines that make all 21,000 different product lines. That Michelin chose SolidWorks to design those machines underscores SolidWorks' ability to handle large, complex assemblies quickly and accurately, so that Michelin can maintain its leading market position."
Michelin relies on SolidWorks reseller Groupe Axemble for ongoing software implementation, training, and support.
About Groupe Axemble
Groupe Axemble focuses on leveraging the opportunities created by its expertise with the ASP model and enterprise-wide portals. Its B2B approach consists of three main elements: product data management, process optimization, and on-line catalog solutions. This approach is based on the three areas of historical competencies of the group: integrating CAD and technical data management system solutions, developing knowledge management solutions, and building Web and intranet portals. For more information, visit: www.axemble.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 seven years of shipping product, SolidWorks has shipped more than 213,000 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 and COSMOSWorks is a trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2002 SolidWorks Corporation.