CONSUMER GOODS
| SECTORS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPERTISE | AERONAUTICS | AUTOMOTIVE | CONSUMER GOODS | ||
| Product Engineering | Aerodynamic parts design, structural simulation, performance optimization | Automotive parts design, production line optimization, design change management | Consumer product design, product ergonomics improvement, product model development | ||
| 3D metrology | Measurement of complex parts (composites, structures), quality control of assemblies, measurement in demanding environments | Measurement of metal and plastic parts, quality control, inspection of large parts | Prototype measurement, consumer product control, production deviation analysis | ||
| PLM Solutions | Aerospace product lifecycle management, change and traceability management, team collaboration for design and production | Vehicle lifecycle management, supply chain management, version and production management | Product version management, consumer product lifecycle management, integration of design and production tools | ||
SOPAL and V6 _ Other Miscellaneous Industries
SOPAL, manufacturer of faucets and plumbing equipment, collaborated with Dassault Systèmes to integrate the V6 PLM Express and 3DVIA Composer solutions into its design process. This collaboration enabled SOPAL to quickly respond to changing market trends by improving the management of its produced data and optimizing communication between teams.
By adopting CATIA V6, SOPAL designers were able to create complex shapes with realistic visualization, thus enhancing both the aesthetics and functionality of their products. The integration of DELMIA V6 Machining Solution also accelerated the manufacturing process by improving the production of necessary tools.
The implementation of V6 PLM Express allowed SOPAL to track each product throughout its lifecycle, making data accessible to all relevant departments, which strengthened internal collaboration and responsiveness to market needs.
Context and challenge
SOPAL, an international manufacturer of faucets and plumbing equipment, is a company distinguished by its expertise in producing innovative plumbing solutions. Faced with an increasingly competitive market and growing consumer demands for customization, innovation, and faster time-to-market, SOPAL needed to modernize its design and product data management processes.
The company sought to improve its operational efficiency, its ability to collaborate within its teams and with its partners, as well as optimize its manufacturing process to deliver products that are increasingly high-performing and tailored to market demands.
The solution: Integration of CATIA V6 and the 3DExperience platform
To address these challenges, SOPAL decided to collaborate with Dassault Systèmes by adopting CATIA V6 and the V6 PLM Express solution. The main goal was to optimize product design and centrally manage all data related to the product lifecycle, from design to production.
CATIA V6 is a 3D design platform that allows for the creation of complex shapes with great precision, the development of products with realistic visualization, and the simulation of their behavior in a virtual environment. By integrating it into their processes, SOPAL teams were able to benefit from several advantages:
• Design of complex parts: SOPAL designers were able to use CATIA V6 to create parts with complex geometries, while maintaining full control over the design and functionality of the products.
• Increased collaboration: Thanks to the V6 PLM solution, all teams, from designers to production engineers, were able to work on the same centralized platform, thus facilitating communication and access to up-to-date information.
With V6 PLM Express, SOPAL was able to centralize all product-related information into an integrated Product Data Management (PDM) system. This platform allowed for optimal management of information throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring effective tracking and data traceability. The benefits of this approach were numerous:
• Version and revision management: Teams were able to track different product versions and make revisions quickly based on market needs, while ensuring the compliance and quality of the information used.
• Process optimization: Data sharing between teams was simplified, improving coordination and reducing errors caused by the use of outdated document versions.
The integration of DELMIA V6 and SIMULIA tools into the 3DExperience platform allowed SOPAL to improve its simulation and analysis processes before production. These tools enabled the company to conduct virtual tests on products before manufacturing:
• Manufacturing simulation: With DELMIA V6 Machining Solution, SOPAL optimized its production process, particularly the manufacturing of tools required for complex parts.
• Performance analysis: By using SIMULIA, the team was able to conduct tests on resistance and deformation of products in development, ensuring they would meet performance requirements under real-world conditions.
Impact and results
Conclusion :
The collaboration between SOPAL and Dassault Systèmes allowed the company to transform its product design and management process through the integration of CATIA V6 and the 3DExperience platform. These tools not only improved the quality and efficiency of the teams but also allowed SOPAL to remain competitive in the market by accelerating the time-to-market of innovative and high-quality products.
The PLM solution was a strategic lever to strengthen both internal and external collaboration, and to enable SOPAL to better manage the lifecycle of its products. Today, the company is able to design, produce, and deliver products more quickly, more accurately, and more efficiently.
