Andreas Maier GmbH & Co.

The Challenge

In 1996, as customer requests for 3D models increased, Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. (AMF), a lock and tool manufacturing company focusing on mounting technology, decided to search for a 3D system and chose SolidWorks software to meet the special needs of its design process and products. Specifically, AMF works with configurations that allow for recording individual steps in manufacturing and documenting them sequentially. For each step of the process, the company needs to create the necessary drawings to produce a design that will be suitable for production. In addition, because of the increasing sophistication of machine tools, the requirements for mounting fixtures are increasing as well. Mounted items not only need to be quickly and easily positioned, but they must also be held in place reliably. At the same time, weight is critical, because the mounting tables of machines frequently have weight limits.

The Solution

SolidWorks allows AMF to meet these needs. With SolidWorks, AMF can directly calculate the weight from the volume of the individual parts and the mass of the material at the push of a button. Using the SolidWorks Simulation integrated FEA program, AMF engineers can simulate the deformation of parts during a process. Furthermore, because a broad range of interfaces is included with SolidWorks, the company can offer its customers usable CAD models in almost every case. AMF also employs the 3D SolidWorks models in documentation. For example, customers can quickly recognize which part needs to be replaced, based on the exploded view of the 3D model.