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Dixon Yacht Design Sails Through New Custom Boat Engineering With SolidWorks 3D Mechanical Design Software

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 August 2005, 09:00 CDT

One of the world's largest yacht design firms is using SolidWorks(R) software to design custom multi-million-dollar power and sailing yachts sold around the world. U.K.-based Dixon Yacht Design standardized on SolidWorks Office Professional to develop everything from the galley to hatch hinges and deck rigging faster, and with a greater level of detail than its previous CAD software.

With its headquarters in Southampton, Dixon has established a reputation for designing high-end luxury yachts for a variety of tastes and uses. Dixon yachts can reach as long as 131 feet (40 meters) and cost as much as $23 million (GBP 12.7 million). They feature precise engineering that blends performance with elegant lines. The company switched from AutoCAD(R) and Mechanical Desktop(R) software to SolidWorks to streamline development from concept to manufacturing, ultimately reducing design time by 25 percent.

"We were limited by how far we could take a solid model with our previous software because it lacked the detail we needed for the CNC (computer numerical control) machining our clients use. So we had to move the design back and forth between 2D and 3D applications," said John Oates, yacht designer at Dixon. "SolidWorks allows us to finish the boat design and check it for accuracy in one application. That gives us the flexibility to be more creative in how we approach different design challenges."

Because the yacht manufacturing industry largely relies on 2D drawings, Dixon engineers often work with both 2D and 3D data. The company uses SolidWorks' free DWGgateway(TM) data translation tool to work with any DWG file, regardless of the AutoCAD software version that produced it. Engineers can quickly import the 2D data into a solid model directly from within the SolidWorks window, without introducing translation errors or wasting time.

SolidWorks' assembly capabilities and smart mate function, which automatically fits hinges into the deck, for example, let Dixon engineers quickly and accurately design lockers, hatches, and other key elements of each yacht. The company also uses SolidWorks COSMOSXpress(TM) design analysis tool to test component durability, such as checking the breaking loads on rigging to make sure the yacht will stand up to rough conditions. "SolidWorks lets us save money and time by effectively prototyping the yacht before building starts," said company founder Bill Dixon. "It gives us the confidence that we're delivering a model to a boat yard's craftsmen that they can build without any problems."

SolidWorks 3D models also give customers and partners a clear understanding of Dixon's design proposal, which is crucial for products with significant price tags.

"Working effortlessly in 2D and 3D is crucial in industries where migration to solid modeling has been slow," said Neil McArthur, regional director for the U.K. and Ireland at SolidWorks. "Companies like Dixon are capitalizing on SolidWorks' interoperability with other CAD software to design innovative products fast and accurately."

SolidWorks reseller Solid Solutions Management provides Dixon with ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

About Dixon Yachts

In more than 20 years, Southampton, U.K.-based Dixon Yacht Design has become one of the world's largest yacht design studios. The company designs high-end luxury sail and power yachts that feature precise naval architecture as well as interior and exterior styling and engineering that meet the highest standards. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.dixonyachtdesign.com.

About Solid Solutions Management

Founded in 1998, Solid Solutions focuses on providing industry-leading software and services. This philosophy has helped Solid Solutions gain respect, recognition, and awards as an established and high-capability supplier of SolidWorks software. With main offices in Warwick and Fareham, and regional training facilities throughout the UK, Solid Solutions supports thousands of customers encompassing all industry sectors and ranging in size from single-person operations to large multi-national organizations. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.solidsolutions.co.uk.

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. It is the #1 supplier of 3D mechanical design software for the mainstream market. SolidWorks leads the market in number of users in production, customer satisfaction, and revenue. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).

SolidWorks is a registered trademark, and DWGgateway and COSMOSXpress are trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2005 SolidWorks Corporation.

Source: Business Wire

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