Forklift Innovator Combilift Cuts Product Design Time by 40 Percent with SolidWorks, COSMOS

Business Wire, May 16, 2007

Ireland-based manufacturer custom designs forklifts to fit customers' warehouse space

CONCORD, Mass. -- Combilift, Inc., pioneer of the three-wheeled, four-way forklift, is using SolidWorks([R]) 3D CAD and COSMOS([R]) analysis software to design and test machines used to stack 40-foot long steel beams in tight spaces in customers' warehouses. The combination of SolidWorks, COSMOS, and PDMWorks([R]) product data management tool has allowed Combilift to reduce product development time by 40 percent.

The Combilift was the first invention to combine the attributes of a forklift and sideloader to help manufacturers better handle and store long and/or awkwardly shaped materials such as wood trusses, stairwell rails, PVC pipes, pre-cast concrete, etc. It can not only lift long loads up to high shelves, but it can also fit into tight spaces in warehouse aisles. Manufacturers using the Combilift maximize warehouse space and minimize damage to their products. Ireland-based Combilift, Inc. standardized on SolidWorks Office Premium, including COSMOSWorks([R]) Designer for new product development to shorten design cycles, explore more design options, and eliminate system crashes.

"Autodesk Inventor([R]) had stability problems that frequently caused large models to crash. We spent a lot of time reloading drawings," said Les Smith, design engineer at Combilift. "SolidWorks is more stable, and its design tables and large assembly features help us quickly customize designs to suit our customers' needs. It also has the ability to load large assemblies quickly. The dimensions of the forklift depend on the loads they carry and the space they work in."

The company designs each forklift based on the customer's warehouse floor plan. Because most customers' floor plans are in 2D, Smith and the rest of the engineering team use SolidWorks DWGgateway([TM]) to export SolidWorks models into 2D drawings to ensure the Combilift will fit in the aisles, have enough turning radius, and lift and extract the customer's material without damaging it. Once engineers have calculated the correct 2D dimensions, they build a solid model in SolidWorks and test it in COSMOSWorks Designer to ensure components such as attachments that support long loads can handle the dimensions and weight of the customer's material.

"We're all about reducing aisle space and increasing warehouse storage capacity. Combilift has a department dedicated to warehouse layouts. This service is offered free of charge to both potential and current customers," Smith said. "SolidWorks allows us to be flexible in how we approach designs so we can overcome the challenges our customers' floor space presents."

Combilift uses PDMWorks Workgroup to manage all of the CAD data the company generates. PDMWorks ensures version control and security while enabling multiple engineers to work on the same design concurrently, without introducing errors.

"Combilift has a great story about innovation and customization," said SolidWorks Marketing Manager, Europe Simon Booker. "Tailoring forklifts to fit their workspace and ensuring those forklifts can do their jobs is why Combilift has an impressive customer list including globally recognized brands like Alcoa, Lowe's, and Boise Cascade."

Combilift, Inc. relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller Pentagon Solutions for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

About Combilift

Located in Monaghan, Ireland, Combilift Inc. was formed in 1998 by highly qualified engineers Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett. With a combined engineering experience of more than 40 years, they used their knowledge and practical experience to create the Combilift, the ultimate long-load material handling solution. For more information, visit the Web site (www.combilift.com).

About Pentagon

Pentagon Solutions offer clients a wide range of CAD and data management related solutions, which facilitate project efficiencies in their design, build, collaboration, and maintenance processes. Pentagon Solutions is currently the number one provider for SolidWorks products in Ireland. The company currently provides solutions for more than 200 customers throughout the UK and Ireland. For more information, visit the Web site (www.pent-sol.com).

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Syst[c]mes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an 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 and PDMWorks are registered trademarks and DWGgateway is a trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. COSMOS and COSMOSWorks are registered trademarks of Structural Research & Analysis Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2007 SolidWorks Corporation.