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Global design firm cuts development time and costs in half
CONCORD, Mass., Jan. 24, 2005 ? Daka Designs Ltd. (Daka or the group) is using SolidWorks® and COSMOS® software to develop new dive propulsion vehicles (DPVs) ? similar to those used in James Bond movies ? in half the time and at half the costs of other design software. The group's most recent product, the SEA -DOO® SEASCOOTER? DOLPHIN (DOLPHIN), is the first DPV geared toward the multi-billion-dollar swimming pool and family recreation market.
Users over eight years old can glide through pools, lakes, or oceans embarking on new adventures as if they were Jacques Cousteau. As much a swimming aid as a DPV, the DOLPHIN weighs about 12 pounds, floats, and can carry users to almost 15 feet under water. To establish and compete in the family-oriented DPV market, Daka needed to develop the product, test it, and manufacture it in a short timeframe. The group chose SolidWorks 3D mechanical design and COSMOSWorks® design validation software to speed the product development process and to reduce prototyping costs. The DOLPHIN is now available at Toys ?R Us, Sharper Image, and Canadian Tire (one of Canada 's top retailers, which initially ordered 20,000 units).
?We had half the time to develop the DOLPHIN that we had for the original SEA -DOO® SEASCOOTER? , which took 13 months,? said Alex Kalogroulis, managing director of Daka Research, Ltd., the group's design team based in the U.K. ?That meant we had no margin for error. For example, we only had a month to refine the original design so that it would be easy to manufacture. Since SolidWorks is intuitive, we could check for part interference on the screen with just a couple of mouse clicks without having to go through extra design steps. COSMOSWorks let us troubleshoot problems such as gear tooth strength prior to production so we could reduce time spent on prototyping and develop the product faster.?
SolidWorks eDrawings ? e-mail-enabled design collaboration tool also helped accelerate time to market. With the engineering team based in the U.K. , the group's headquarters in Hong Kong, and the toolmaker and product manufacturer in China , design collaboration was a challenge. But eDrawings allowed Kalogroulis to e-mail solid models to the toolmaker so its engineers could understand the nuances of the design.
?With eDrawings, we sent the toolmaker models of the design in progress. So its engineers not only provided feedback, but also let us know if the design could be manufactured cost effectively,? said Kalogroulis. ?eDrawings also provided the toolmakers a chance to anticipate what queries we were going to raise, thus they could prepare accordingly. As a result, they could conduct mold analyses and suggest design changes, all of which saved time and eliminated the potential for rework.?
This streamlined collaboration allowed Daka to cut development costs by 50 percent, reducing the time to build and test a rapid prototype to just three weeks. The DOLPHIN won the Consumer Product Design Award at the 2004 Hong Kong Awards for Industry.
?Consumer product design emphasizes both style and function, and the DOLPHIN capitalizes on both,? said SolidWorks Chief Operating Officer Jeff Ray. ?Daka wanted to create a new market, and SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks, and eDrawings helped them accomplish the goal.?
Daka relies on SolidWorks reseller Cadtek for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
Listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Stock Exchange, Daka is a celebrated, award-winning design and development company in Hong Kong . It offers a range of products and services from industrial design and product engineering to full-scale turnkey product development and manufacturing. The group develops and markets innovative products in the lifestyle, sports and leisure products, and marine electronics categories via established brand names. Daka's passion for innovation fuels its relentless pursuit of bringing ideas to life and delivering products to meet dynamic lifestyle needs of global consumers. For the latest news or further product information, visit the group's Web site (www.daka-designs.com).
About Cadtek
Cadtek is one of the most dynamic and successful SolidWorks solutions suppliers within the U.K. With more than 800 customers, Cadtek has established an enviable reputation for supply, support, and integration of design, analysis, eEngineering, data management, and design-to-manufacturing solutions to customers throughout industry. Cadtek prides itself on the quality and success of its customer installations, and holds development, sales, training, and support certifications from organizations including SolidWorks, Microsoft, SmarTeam, and Hewlett Packard. Cadtek can be reached via its Web site www.cadtek.com or via e-mail at info@cadtek.com.
About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) brand, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, providing intuitive, high-performing software that helps product design teams develop great products. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (http://www.solidworks.com/) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
About Dassault Systèmes
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing - ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com.