Eleiko’s Legacy of Innovation and Excellence

Strength equipment manufacturer leverages SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation to produce digital twins of its products and reduces the time and money spent on physical prototypes.

Challenge

Design and develop the most durable dumbbell in the world through physical testing and virtual testing to reduce costs.

Solution

Implement 3DEXPERIENCE Works Design, data management and Simulation solutions which allows for the creation of digital twins. Adding the 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio, to test and collaborate on future concepts. 

Results

  • Reduce costs of physical testing
  • Access and run simulations remotely
  • Instill commitment to sustainability in manufacturing
  • Seamless file management and storage 

Eleiko began in 1927 as an electrical appliance company. In 1957 a production foreman named Hellström approached the CEO to request the company’s help in building better barbell equipment. Hellström was an enthusiastic weightlifter who had identified a significant problem in his beloved sport. Barbells would often bend during weightlifting competitions, leading to uneven performances among lifters. The company agreed to leverage its expertise in steel production to help its employee in his quest to build something better. He and the Eleiko team eventually crafted what would become known as the gold standard in barbells, forever changing the primary focus of Eleiko’s business from appliance to strength equipment manufacturing.

Eleiko building better barbell equipment

Today the company in Halmstad in southwest Sweden is dedicated to making equipment that can withstand not only the rigors of professional athletes but also the everyday gymgoer. “If we develop the best dumbbell in the world, then it should be [practically] unbreakable during regular use; people abuse equipment in the gym all the time,” explains Product Development Manager Camilla Schough. “It’s very important for us that people feel that they can rely on our Eleiko bar and see that they can train as the professionals do.” This focus on trustworthy durability has enabled Eleiko’s products to become a staple in both professional competitions and commercial gyms worldwide.

Simulation Saves Time and Money

Before getting 3DEXPERIENCE® Works Simulation, Eleiko was conducting FEA tests with another software program. However, Product Development Manager Björn Welde explains that first they had to purchase the materials—sometimes resulting in lead times of nearly a year—and then after months of testing, they would discover they needed a different material.

Turnaround times have improved over the past nine months because the company has been using Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation, which allows the creation of digital twins. “This capability lets us test future concepts and materials repeatedly, well before committing to large, costly material orders,” explains Welde. 

Eleiko with Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation

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We can do these expensive and complex drop tests directly in [3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation], which is a big time-saver. The opportunity we have with the 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation is that we can reject early [design] ideas digitally, saving a lot of money and time [on the back end].

Camilla Schough

Product Development Manager

An elevated level of rigor is essential in testing routines when crafting the world's strongest barbells and related products. Eleiko relies on specialized equipment to evaluate their products. “We have several cylinders that exert up to 1.5 tons in the center or at the end of the [weightlifting] bars,” notes Welde. 

Eleiko recycled Swedish steel to create its barbells

Physical testing is elaborate. The company recreates real-life scenarios—such as dropping barbells weighing 1,000+ pounds from 3 feet or higher onto a steel-framed rack or a platform. Then they film the drops at high resolution and analyze the slow-motion replays afterword. Welde adds, “We can do these expensive and complex drop tests directly in [3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation], which is a big time-saver.” Schough concurs, “The opportunity we have with the 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation is that we can reject early [design] ideas digitally, saving a lot of money and time [on the back end].”

Commitment to Sustainability and Pushing Boundaries

Eleiko’s commitment to innovation does not stop at product performance; it also includes intense concern for longevity. The company sources recycled Swedish steel to create its barbells, ensuring that their products not only last longer but are produced in an ecologically responsible manner. Schough emphasizes the importance of this commitment: “One big thing for Eleiko is sustainability. Our goal is that our products last for the next generation.” 

Eleiko equipment has been used to set close to 2,000 world records

Products used:

  • SOLIDWORKS Professional
  • SOLIDWORKS Premium
  • Structural Mechanics Engineer 
  • SOLIDWORKS Composer
  • Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS
  • 3DSwymer

Learn More About SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works

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Großartige Ideen können überall entstehen. Produktentwickler müssen Wege finden, um ihre besten Mitarbeiter zusammenzubringen, damit sie als fester Bestandeil des Entwicklungsprozesses effektiv zusammenarbeiten können. Dabei gilt es jedoch, Reisekosten für persönliche Meetings, die Installation weiterer Software oder den Kauf zusätzlicher Hardware zu vermeiden. Um die Zusammenarbeit bei der Förderung von Innovationen effektiver zu gestalten, müssen Produktentwickler in der Lage sein, sich ohne negative Auswirkungen auf die Entwicklungszyklen zu vernetzen und zusammenzuarbeiten. Kurz gesagt: Sie benötigen Tools, die die Zusammenarbeit begünstigen und eine intelligentere Arbeitsweise ermöglichen. Dieses eBook zeigt, wie zwei Unternehmen mit Werkzeugen aus dem 3DEXPERIENCE Works Portfolio Folgendes erreichen konnten: Steigerung der Produktivität und Förderung von Innovationen mit cloudbasierten Werkzeugen Vorteile der integrierten Datenverwaltungsfunktionen nutzen ohne zusätzlichen IT-Overhead Vernetzt arbeiten und Feedback einholen auf eine Weise, die Entwicklungszyklen nicht verzögert Mit Kollegen, Partnern und Lieferanten sicher und in Echtzeit an Konstruktionen zusammenarbeiten SOLIDWORKS Konstruktionswerkzeuge nutzen, sodass Konstruktionsteams jederzeit von überall und auf jedem Gerät vernetzt arbeiten können Laden Sie dieses eBook herunter, um mehr über die Vorteile eines cloudbasierten Ansatzes bei der Produktentwicklung zu erfahren.

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Fast die Hälfte (44 %) der Hersteller gibt an, dass es schwieriger geworden ist, Konstruktionsentscheidungen zu treffen. Und wahrscheinlich führt die Corona-Krise dazu, dass Ingenieure noch mehr Verantwortung schultern müssen – mit weniger Ressourcen. Damit diese ihre Arbeit effektiv erledigen und Probleme schneller lösen können, müssen sie über leistungsstarke Werkzeuge verfügen. Der Bericht legt dar, dass die Simulation, insbesondere die cloudbasierte Analyse, ein unabdingbares Hilfsmittel darstellt. Das sagen die Benutzer der Cloud-Simulation: 71 % Mehr Rechenleistung/schnellere Solver-Prozesse 50 % Geringere Beanspruchung der Ingenieurscomputer 42 % Leichterer Zugang zu Experten 42 % Einfachere Zusammenarbeit 42 % Niedrigere Hardwarekosten und weniger Wartung

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