Cartwright’s design developments help boost efficiency 08 May 2013

Trailer and body manufacturer Cartwright is investing in 3D design software that, the company claims, will improve efficiency by more than 20% over the next 12 months.

"The new design software will enable our customers to see a virtual model on screen," explains Chris Mitchell, Cartwright's engineering manager, who is heading the 3D software implementation programme.

"The objective is to use the system to design the trailer in front of the customer," he adds.

A fleet of curtainsider vehicles has already been developed in the initial stages of the software implementation.

The first stage has also included drawing the standard parts made internally by the company to create a catalogue of virtual components.

"The next stage is to start introducing bought-in components, including parts such as door equipment, axles etc sourced from suppliers," says Mitchell.

"We are also drawing a fleet van as a model for the 3D design software. once this is completed, we can change the variables in terms of height and length, as we have with the Fleet Curtainsider."

The next product for the 3D design software project will be a step frame trailer, and Mitchell believes that the entire Cartwright product fleet should be using the system within 12 months.

"We obviously have to take into account new legislation, but a lot of what we are doing is customer-driven," says Mitchell.

"We have standard products but the majority of our work is bespoke to the customer. The challenge is to turn a standard product into a bespoke product. The 3D modelling software will help us to achieve that."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
The Cartwright Group

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