SOLIDWORKS Supports VSHAPER Production

Verashape has been cooperating with world-renowned enterprises for many years, supporting their production processes. VSHAPER 3D Printing solutions support customers from different branches of industry in rapid prototyping and small-lot production processes, facing the challenges of contemporary industry. Verashape is currently working on ‘Globally innovative additive printer’ supported by The National Centre for Research and Development. Working on such a wide scope of projects requires the engagement of experienced specialists and the support of professional tools.

Verashape has chosen to work on their projects in virtual environment with the support of SOLIDWORKS solutions which help constructors on every stage of 3D model preparation. This attitude helps to standardize the way the documentation is prepared. Moreover, the virtual model creates a base for all other processes connected with the production of 3D Printers.

Being the observer of the activities of Verashape I do remember how the first assumptions, concepts and projects came to being. Today, Verashape uses most of SOLIDWORKS products. It can be said that the development of the company is accompanied by the development of software it uses. I am deeply satisfied with the fact that CADWorks can actively participate in this process – says Wojciech Marchewczyk, Managing Director in CADWorks.

The innovative SOLIDWORKS
The greatest benefit of using SOLIDWORKS environment in the creation process of VSHAPER Printers is the ability to introduce quick changes in the projects. The Verashape R&D team works on many aspects simultaneously. The company is constantly enhancing its product line. It is also working on new, globally innovative solutions, where the change process is very dynamic.

Realizing the project supported by The National Centre for Research and Development we have the opportunity to create innovative 3D printing solutions which will ensure a stable growth of our offer in the future. We know exactly what we want to achieve and CADWorks supports us in choosing the right SOLIDWORKS tools – explains Tomasz Szymański, the founder and CEO of Verashape.

Working with SOLIDWORKS, within one ecosystem we can develop our products, test them virtually and cooperate with subcontractors who consider our file formats easy for further processing – adds Marek Kantowski, Design Manager in Verashape.

Quick decision making
While operating, 3D Printers undergo many mechanical and heat loads which need to be taken into consideration at the design stage. The printer’s elements that operate in high temperatures, responsible for heat dissipation or loads transfer influence the quality of print.

In order to achieve the highest quality of print the company carries out strength, fatigue, thermal and air flow analysis. It is all done to ensure required temperature distribution in the workspace, with optimal material use.

Carrying out projects based on SOLIDWORKS solutions we can check any solution in virtual environment before it hits the test station. It reduces the number of prototypes and allows us to dynamically design our solutions – says Wiktor Krupiński, Material Engineer in Verashape.

Working in SOLIDWORKS design environment VSHAPER constructors use native CAD models to carry out analysis. Each change of 3D Geometry is automatically updated in SOLIDWORKS Simulation and SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation which reduces the time needed to prepare another analysis by 90%.

Successful Management of Information
Verashape goes for modern technologies that allow saving time and money. With this purpose in mind, the company decided to reduce standard 2D documentation replacing it with interactive 3D documentation. SOLIDWORKS PDM allows the constructors to make the project documentation available to production department in the form of native 2D and 3D files. To communicate with subcontractors they use interactive 3D documentation in PDF file, which is generated directly from the 3D model.

We’ve been working with SOLIDWORKS PDM from the very beginning, that is why we’ve never had any problems with information management. Creating innovative products we do not waste time to recreate information or search for data. If I need anything I just look for it in the PDM. In our company, the PDM is used like Internet search engine. If you can’t find something in the PDM it means it does not exist – informs Marcin Szymański, Product Manager in Verashape.

The versatility of file formats, multitude of versions, large files of the analysis results are a vast amount of data constituting the know-how of Verashape, which needs particular protection. SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional allows data and knowledge protection. Verashape keeps all the information concerning the designing of 3D Printers in the PDM starting from 3D Models, through material lists, producers catalogues, ending in the manuals. Each PDM user has constant access to database. Storing data in one system allows the control of the designs on multiple levels and the data can be used many times in different contexts. SOLIDWORKS PDM takes off Verashape workers all the everyday, repetitive work, which is done for them by the system.

Comprehensive project integration
All electronic modules of a 3D Printer such as: motion controller, motor drivers, power modules and signal harnesses are designed as an integral part of a 3D design. With the use of Routing tools electrical harnesses are designed as a 3D model component in SOLIDWORKS. Wire path is generated in a 3D model based on connection points and routes which are joint into functional harnesses.

Route length, symbol and electrical scheme of particular harness can be read directly from the model. Using SILIDWORKS PCB in the process of electronic modules design allows for convenient integration of electronic wires design with the entire special design of the printer. Thanks to convenient interactive routing function known from Altium Designer software, the process of designing circuits in SOLIDWORKS PCB is very efficient.

Attractive concept visualization
SOLIDWORKS solutions support the company in the preparation stage of project presentation as well. The very first ideas undergo visualization process and are the starting point for further concepts. SOLIDWORKS Visualize allows the preparation of realistic graphics based on 3D source model. Teaming up SOLIDWORKS Visualize with SOLIDWORKS Composer took all the tasks concerning preparation of visualization for manuals and other marketing materials off the designers hands and enhanced the communication with Marketing Department.