Supertec creates high-precision grinding machines using high-precision 3D; cuts time-to-market in half
Using Solid Edge, grinding machine tool manufacturer significantly improves design-through-assembly process.
Challenge the world brands with grinding machine tool
At the 2013 Taipei International Machine Tool Show, grinding equipment manufacturer Supertec's booth drew significant attention, especially from interested purchasing agents. The company displayed products with precision computer numeric control (CNC) attributes, including straight cylindrical grinders, ramp cylindrical grinders, and complex, 3-axis internal and external cylindrical grinders. Attendees witnessed grinders that demonstrated high precision, stability and ease of operation, which translates into greater efficiency and reduced operations costs.
Founded in 1954, Supertec started out as Supertec Iron Works. The company underwent a number of changes until its business transformation in 2004, when the National Science Council approved its request to relocate into the Central Science Park and start the development of high-precision grinding machine tools. Its primary offering has expanded from automotive parts to electronics products, spacecraft, large precision equipment and other items in recent years.
In the grinding machine tool market, Supertec is gaining recognition globally. According to management, its increasingly prominent position among global competitors and confidence comes from a strong design and manufacturing team, and the affordable, high-quality grinding machines it produces. This position is bolstered by specialized composite products for the auto parts market, which serves as a mature and stable source for the company's growing business.
Imported 3D design for more accurate parameter-based architecture processing
"We specialize in the development of composite grinding machines – integrating standalone features in the machine tool – so that the user's processing operations Superteccan be more efficient," says Zhu Yaru, an associate at Supertec. "We often produce the same level of precision products manufactured by European and Japanese competitors, but at 50 to 60 percent of the costs, and typically with more stability."
One of the key factors enabling Supertec's strong competitive position is its use of product lifecycle management (PLM) technology. Supertec uses Solid Edge® software from Siemens PLM Software for its product development.
The switch to Solid Edge and 3D-based product development resulted from the company's decision to align with its customers' 3D-based environments. When one of its long-time customers proposed designing with 3D models, Supertec decided to upgrade to an advanced computer-aided design (CAD) system, especially to facilitate customer communication and collaboration. A quick but thorough assessment of its customer's software led to Supertec's deployment of Solid Edge in its Design Department. When Supertec receives customer CAD files prepared using other design software, significant time is saved. That's because Solid Edge reads the file formats of other CAD systems. The company also saves money because, with Solid Edge, it is able to utilize a single CAD solution versus managing multiple CAD platforms.
The synchronous technology of Solid Edge represents an important advantage for Supertec, especially relative to part parameters. Supertec outsources its CNC lathe operations, and the use of Solid Edge virtually eliminates the error-prone part of the process.
For example, the processing plant uses Solid Edge for wooden mold castings. The design drawings, if any, can be applied directly to its computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system for processing, with no need for additional parametric data input. Moreover, using 3D, designers can clearly see the internal structure of the lathe machine, helping them improve overall precision.
"Our outsourcers used to input data manually in preparing lathe operations and making holes," says Lin Rongcong, design manager at Supertec. "Unfortunately, this too often resulted in errors during assembly. By reading the part parameters from the 3D files created using Solid Edge, errors resulting from outsourcing are no longer an issue."
Furthermore, using synchronous technology, the company no longer needs to dedicate its high-end technicians to part assembly, because the data is now readily conveyed and understood by non-specialists.
Design cycle cut in half
Using Solid Edge, Supertec's designers now build part models in significantly less time compared with the prior method. Zhu notes that the 3D visualization functionality of Solid Edge is exceptional. Motion interferences are readily identified in the assemblies of the models, before the physical assembly phase, measurably reducing time and costs.
"The use of Solid Edge has significantly improved operations efficiency from design to production. What once took 6 months to design is now usually completed in 2 to 3 months," says Lin. "In addition, the error rate from design to assembly has been reduced by 10 to 20 percent."
Lin notes the speed with which the company's latest multipurpose machine was produced: "Price negotiation, draft finalization, drawing completion and analysis, outsourcing and delivery were completed within three months. It took us only half the time to complete product design, processing and assembly, compared to our prior process, while we significantly improved product quality and operating efficiency."
Strengthen the quality of communication, meet the needs of customization
Realizing significant benefits in the design and production process, Supertec has also made good use of 3D design to strengthen its communications and collaboration with customers. This has enabled the company to excel in meeting its customers' special requirements, especially with long-term original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers that plan to change the appearance or line shape of the machine.
Online design reviews are particularly effective. For example, using web-based conferencing software, the Supertec design team (in Taiwan) and customer review the proposed design. If the customer indicates any changes, the designers engage Solid Edge. By simply changing the appropriate design parameters, the updates to the model typically appear in a matter of seconds. Feasibility is assessed right away. If the customer's change request results in an interference or is unworkable or impractical, it can be immediately discussed and resolved.
"With Solid Edge, such customer review meetings usually take about 20 minutes, which is really a great improvement from the previous one-day process," says Lin. "In discussing design changes with the customer, personal communication and shared visualization significantly reduces misunderstanding; moreover, it fosters collaboration and moves the project forward."
Lin notes that the use of 3D is quite important in handling customized designs: "Our OEM customers often want to deliver a consistent brand image, which usually means they will not use a standard shape or appearance for their machines. Typically, these customers require that we provide 3D models. The files are transferred into their own software tools, where they make aesthetic design changes for brand purposes. They then send the files back to us for follow-up treatment. Using Solid Edge, we can quickly meet customer needs and help them build high-value, high-quality machines that meet their brand expectations."
At the 2013 Taipei International Machine Tool Show, grinding equipment manufacturer Supertec's booth drew significant attention, especially from interested purchasing agents. The company displayed products with precision computer numeric control (CNC) attributes, including straight cylindrical grinders, ramp cylindrical grinders, and complex, 3-axis internal and external cylindrical grinders. Attendees witnessed grinders that demonstrated high precision, stability and ease of operation, which translates into greater efficiency and reduced operations costs.
Founded in 1954, Supertec started out as Supertec Iron Works. The company underwent a number of changes until its business transformation in 2004, when the National Science Council approved its request to relocate into the Central Science Park and start the development of high-precision grinding machine tools. Its primary offering has expanded from automotive parts to electronics products, spacecraft, large precision equipment and other items in recent years.
In the grinding machine tool market, Supertec is gaining recognition globally. According to management, its increasingly prominent position among global competitors and confidence comes from a strong design and manufacturing team, and the affordable, high-quality grinding machines it produces. This position is bolstered by specialized composite products for the auto parts market, which serves as a mature and stable source for the company's growing business.
Imported 3D design for more accurate parameter-based architecture processing
"We specialize in the development of composite grinding machines – integrating standalone features in the machine tool – so that the user's processing operations Superteccan be more efficient," says Zhu Yaru, an associate at Supertec. "We often produce the same level of precision products manufactured by European and Japanese competitors, but at 50 to 60 percent of the costs, and typically with more stability."
One of the key factors enabling Supertec's strong competitive position is its use of product lifecycle management (PLM) technology. Supertec uses Solid Edge® software from Siemens PLM Software for its product development.
The switch to Solid Edge and 3D-based product development resulted from the company's decision to align with its customers' 3D-based environments. When one of its long-time customers proposed designing with 3D models, Supertec decided to upgrade to an advanced computer-aided design (CAD) system, especially to facilitate customer communication and collaboration. A quick but thorough assessment of its customer's software led to Supertec's deployment of Solid Edge in its Design Department. When Supertec receives customer CAD files prepared using other design software, significant time is saved. That's because Solid Edge reads the file formats of other CAD systems. The company also saves money because, with Solid Edge, it is able to utilize a single CAD solution versus managing multiple CAD platforms.
The synchronous technology of Solid Edge represents an important advantage for Supertec, especially relative to part parameters. Supertec outsources its CNC lathe operations, and the use of Solid Edge virtually eliminates the error-prone part of the process.
For example, the processing plant uses Solid Edge for wooden mold castings. The design drawings, if any, can be applied directly to its computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system for processing, with no need for additional parametric data input. Moreover, using 3D, designers can clearly see the internal structure of the lathe machine, helping them improve overall precision.
"Our outsourcers used to input data manually in preparing lathe operations and making holes," says Lin Rongcong, design manager at Supertec. "Unfortunately, this too often resulted in errors during assembly. By reading the part parameters from the 3D files created using Solid Edge, errors resulting from outsourcing are no longer an issue."
Furthermore, using synchronous technology, the company no longer needs to dedicate its high-end technicians to part assembly, because the data is now readily conveyed and understood by non-specialists.
Design cycle cut in half
Using Solid Edge, Supertec's designers now build part models in significantly less time compared with the prior method. Zhu notes that the 3D visualization functionality of Solid Edge is exceptional. Motion interferences are readily identified in the assemblies of the models, before the physical assembly phase, measurably reducing time and costs.
"The use of Solid Edge has significantly improved operations efficiency from design to production. What once took 6 months to design is now usually completed in 2 to 3 months," says Lin. "In addition, the error rate from design to assembly has been reduced by 10 to 20 percent."
Lin notes the speed with which the company's latest multipurpose machine was produced: "Price negotiation, draft finalization, drawing completion and analysis, outsourcing and delivery were completed within three months. It took us only half the time to complete product design, processing and assembly, compared to our prior process, while we significantly improved product quality and operating efficiency."
Strengthen the quality of communication, meet the needs of customization
Realizing significant benefits in the design and production process, Supertec has also made good use of 3D design to strengthen its communications and collaboration with customers. This has enabled the company to excel in meeting its customers' special requirements, especially with long-term original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers that plan to change the appearance or line shape of the machine.
Online design reviews are particularly effective. For example, using web-based conferencing software, the Supertec design team (in Taiwan) and customer review the proposed design. If the customer indicates any changes, the designers engage Solid Edge. By simply changing the appropriate design parameters, the updates to the model typically appear in a matter of seconds. Feasibility is assessed right away. If the customer's change request results in an interference or is unworkable or impractical, it can be immediately discussed and resolved.
"With Solid Edge, such customer review meetings usually take about 20 minutes, which is really a great improvement from the previous one-day process," says Lin. "In discussing design changes with the customer, personal communication and shared visualization significantly reduces misunderstanding; moreover, it fosters collaboration and moves the project forward."
Lin notes that the use of 3D is quite important in handling customized designs: "Our OEM customers often want to deliver a consistent brand image, which usually means they will not use a standard shape or appearance for their machines. Typically, these customers require that we provide 3D models. The files are transferred into their own software tools, where they make aesthetic design changes for brand purposes. They then send the files back to us for follow-up treatment. Using Solid Edge, we can quickly meet customer needs and help them build high-value, high-quality machines that meet their brand expectations."
