Westfield Sportscars to Select Autodesk Inventor
FARNHAM,
Surrey, Nov 5, 2007 - One of the UK’s leading hand-built sport scar
manufacturers, Westfield Sportscars, has made the decision to switch to
Autodesk Inventor design software because of its versatility and digital
prototyping capability. Managing director of the family-run firm, Julian
Turner, explains that lengthening waiting lists for the cars have led the
company to consider ways to minimize lead times. He predicts that cutting
the number of physical prototypes made and instead using the Inventor model
for testing and analysis will help significantly in this goal.

“We are under constant pressure to produce more cars,” he says.
“Previously we would build 10 chassis prototypes, try them all, test them
and then destroy them. Using Inventor to build a digital prototype to check
for design clashes and then using it for more complex analyses such as
emissions testing, will both encourage innovation and help to raise
productivity as it will enable us to cut physical prototypes to just one or
two.”
Westfield currently produces over 400 cars a year for driving enthusiasts
worldwide. Manufactured at the firm’s West Midlands headquarters, and sold
either factory-built or as self-assembly kits, these are renowned for their
craftsmanship, speed and agility. Consequently, demand is constantly high
and order books are always full.
Turner explains that Westfield’s two design engineers previously used a
combination of AutoCAD and a competitive solution. However, they decided to
migrate to Inventor, “because of its multi-functional capability. For
example, we do all our manufacturing in house – Inventor gives detailed
manufacturing guidelines so it does a lot of the work for us.
“Also because the Inventor model can be used for analysis – and in fact
the solution does include certain testing and simulation tools, we can cut
down the amount of analysis work we need to outsource. Eventually we also
want to use the 3D models in our build manuals too.
“Although we have only just started with Inventor, we foresee we will be
using it extensively in the future to help move the business forward.”
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment
markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has
developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping
solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real.
Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate
and analyse real-world performance early in the design process to save time
and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information
about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.co.uk.
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