BA Systems

The Challenge

BA Systems design and manufacture bespoke handrails and balustrades in a range of metals, as well as organic materials such as leather and hardwood. Every product is precision-made. BA Systems were finding the complexity of jobs increasing and felt the need for more accurate drawings. The company was frequently being asked to design organic balustrades that were far too complex for a 2D system to handle. The company decided to look for a solution rather than turning these jobs down or seeing the cost of designing and manufacturing increase.

The Solution

Ba Systems invested in SolidWorks to satisfy demand while maintaining profit levels and avoiding mistakes. Complex sheet metal cladding used to be measured on site and fitted ad hoc. By designing the cladding in SolidWorks, wrapping around staircase geometry and flattening to get measurements, the time needed on site has dramatically decreased and rework due to mistakes has been minimised. SolidWorks was looked at after a personal recommendation from others in the industry, and was chosen for its powerful rendering tool and ease of use. BA Systems is utilising PhotoView360 as well: a powerful rendering package included in SolidWorks Professional that allows users to create stunning photorealistic renderings of the models they have designed in SolidWorks. Designers can even superimpose their geometry onto photos inside of SolidWorks to show how their work will look in situ. These have proved very effective in pre-sales, especially when tendering for jobs – architects and planners can see exactly how the designs will look when fitted on site.