Autodesk Inventor Software Enables Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC to Shorten Delivery Times in Design of Traction Engine for Latest Generation of Suburban Trains
21/03/2012 Autodesk
Digital Prototyping Allows SKODA ELECTRIC to Make Design Process More Effective and Better Face Manufacturing Challenges with AutodeskFarnborough, 14 March, 2012 - Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced today that Czech Republic-based Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC has been using digital prototyping methods incorporated in Autodesk Inventor software to shorten delivery times and make design processes more effective. SKODA ELECTRIC is a leading supplier of traction electric drives, trolleybuses and traction engines.
Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC has used Autodesk Inventor software to design a traction engine for the Ã…Â KODA RegioPanter single-deck unit launched by Ã…Â KODA TRANSPORTATION, the parent company of Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC.
Using Inventor, the design team developed digital prototypes of the engine. These provided the data required to purchase parts with long lead times early in the project when individual components were still being developed. As a result, suppliers were involved much earlier in the development process, helping to streamline the product design process and prepare for manufacturing.
"Autodesk Inventor is very strong in 3D modeling and generating drawings," said Martin VlÄÂek, Head of Technical Department, Division Traction Motors, Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC a.s. "It has better functionality than our previous CATIA system, especially in terms of support for machining in the assembly process, which is key to the design of our products. Thanks to advanced integration, the assembly structure can be moved from Inventor directly to the bill-of-materials in the PLM system and this speeds up the whole design process."
The ML 3942 K/4 traction engine is a four-position, open, asynchronous traction engine with a short-circuit armature for the individual drive of the wheel set of the type 7Ev suburban electric unit.
Because the engine is exposed to various external elements such as dust, sand, small stones, water, salt or snow, as well as vibrations in the vertical, horizontal and axial directions, the main focus was to significantly reduce engine-noise level. This was achieved by means of a suitable design, reducing the acoustics output by 10 to15 decibels.
To date, Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC has benefitted from the use of Inventor across many projects; for example, the development of engines for the Ã…Â KODA 671 intercity unit for Slovak Railways, the Ã…Â KODA 675 intercity unit for Ukrainea Caterpillar mining vehicle, the Hyundai Rotem locomotive for Turkey, the Bombardier tram for Krakow and city trolleybuses in Austria, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
"ŠKODA ELECTRIC is a manufacturer delivering products all over the world," said Martin Peňáz, a Manager of Manufacturing Solutions, Autodesk. "It is key that it delivers its products not only with traditional high quality, but also as quickly as possible. The digital prototyping functionality included in Autodesk Inventor helps to achieve these goals."
Ã…Â KODA ELECTRIC worked with CAD Studio, an authorized Autodesk partner, on the implementation of Inventor. "It was a smooth process, enabling us to quickly appreciate the superior functionality and generally lower operating costs of Inventor," concludes VlÄÂek.
For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.