Plantool Oy: Enhancing Production Automation with ANSYS DesignSpace Simulation Software
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
Applicable Industries
- Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
- Virtual Reality
About The Customer
Plantool Oy is a Finland-based company with 30 years of experience in the production automation industry. The company markets and manufactures tailor-made special machines, standard circular saws, system solutions, and production lines for metal industries. Located in Seinäjoki, Finland, Plantool Oy is recognized as one of the leading production automation companies in the Nordic countries. The company's operations are characterized by the production of custom machines, which presents unique challenges in terms of design and risk management.
The Challenge
Plantool Oy, a leading production automation company in the Nordic countries, faced significant challenges in its operations. The company specializes in tailor-made special machines, standard circular saws, system solutions, and production lines for metal industries. However, the custom nature of their machines did not allow for prototypes. Each new order posed a major risk as the initial creation had to be the final product, necessitating perfect design from the outset. Additionally, these special machines often had to be designed from scratch, requiring a flexible design and simulation process. The use of existing 3D models for simulation was crucial, but the company lacked an efficient system to facilitate this.
The Solution
To overcome these challenges, Plantool Oy adopted ANSYS DesignSpace, integrating it with Autodesk Inventor 3D design tools. This allowed the company to analyze machine parts and structural performance in the early stages of the design process. The solution enabled virtual prototyping, which was instrumental in designing better tailor-made special machines. Large assemblies were analyzed with minor defeaturing of the model, and various alternatives were cost-effectively investigated. The integration of ANSYS DesignSpace with Autodesk Inventor meant that geometry modeling for analysis could be completed with a program Plantool designers were already familiar with, eliminating the need to learn new software.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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