As part of its precisionengineering philosophy, Anderson Power Products (APP), Sterling, Mass., works with KeyCreator geometry-based design and modeling technology. According to the manufacturer of high-power interconnects and accessories, the software provides a level of flexibility unavailable in parametricbased solid modelers.
APP used KeyCreator to design its SBE 700 power connectors. The connectors, with innovative keying systems that ensure only matching connectors are mated, needed to be molded in high-impact plastic.
As APP engineers wrestled with various design changes, KeyCreator allowed for quick multiple iterations. The company also used the software to design manufacturing machinery for producing the connector. APP's toolroom generated injection-mold models with it and captured images to create artwork for marketing and sales.
Using KeyCreator at the beginning of its product development lets APP create models for sharing from native files. (A cross-functional design team reviews every new product developed at APP.) Without this ability, the company would have to convert to other files, running the risk of file corruption — a regular occurrence when swapping files back and forth.
"KeyCreator works for both simple and complex modeling applications," says Danna Mancini, APP's manager of engineering services. The system's detailing and 2D drawing is far superior to what we see in other tools, and there are many features that we apply to both 2D and 3D environments."
Mancini says it's possible to trim one line to another in both 2D and 3D. And applying a 2D feature in the 3D world simplifies modifications and saves a lot of time.
Kubotek USA
Marlborough, Mass.
kuotekusa.com
