Autodesk Factory Design Suite Helps Global Manufacturer Digitally Create Entire Factories
San Rafael, CA - Autodesk, Inc. has named German manufacturer Feige Filling as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for May for using Autodesk Factory Design Suite software to not only design innovative filling machines, but also the layout of the factories that house them.
Feige leverages Autodesk Inventor software and other Digital Prototyping tools in conjunction with Factory Design Suite to create equipment for its customers and then optimize the factory layout before any equipment is installed. As a result, Feige now serves as a “turnkey” solution provider to its customers, giving the company a powerful advantage in the marketplace.
“Our customers expect us to do more than simply deliver a system,” said Jörg Duus, head of construction at Feige. “Thanks to the Autodesk suite of products, we can deliver an entire plant or factory to our customers and assist them with their internal processes, process optimization, design and installation. Providing a full-service solution is part of our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.”
Digital Models Improve Factory Design Process
Feige has a wide range of filling machines that are used by companies from the food, chemical and petrochemical industries to fill containers with liquid. A typical customer factory includes not just the filling equipment, but also storage areas, conveyor systems, stacking technologies and cleaning systems that all must efficiently work together.
Feige had successfully been using Inventor software, AutoCAD Mechanicalsoftware and Autodesk Vault collaboration software for several years to design its equipment before adding Factory Design Suite, which it purchased from Autodesk Gold Reseller Partner Contelos.
Factory Design Suite enables Feige to create 3D digital factory layouts that incorporate digital models of the various machines and factory components, making it easy to digitally explore different layout scenarios to find the optimal layout solution. Feige also leverages Autodesk 360 Cloud capabilities to share layouts and assembly designs for customer review. In doing so, the company can spot clashes and space constraints before they become on-site problems — helping customers avoid the expense of after-the-fact repairs.
Additionally, factory-specific visualization tools enable Feige to provide potential clients with immersive 3D layout proposals rather than multilayered 2D drawings that can be difficult to interpret. By providing this “virtual factory visit,” the company is able to more effectively communicate design intent and enhance the attractiveness of its bid.
“Feige is a great example of the power of Autodesk suites to win more business,” said Brenda Discher, vice president of Manufacturing Marketing at Autodesk. “With Factory Design Suite, Feige is able to reduce errors, save time and money.”
SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.