Trek Plastics is part of the Trek Group, a plastic convertor operation that specialises in thermoforming, injection moulding and integral skin polyurethane foam moulding. A few years ago, Trek plastics switched over to use Autodesk products and partnered with Micrographics to properly implement their software. We recently chatted to Keith Burger, Design Manager at Trek Plastics Port Elizabeth.
Our goals are to improve and streamline our operation. Using digital design and prototyping (we use 3D printing for proofing certain products), we reduced a lot of unnecessary processes, and there is still room for improvement, using more of the tools that we already have available.
By comparison with the software we previously used, Autodesk Inventor, with Inventor CAM, proved to offer a more complete solution. Autodesk’s Solution was streamlined and more efficient than Trek Plastics had been used to. The Autodesk Solution also proved to be more stable, better supported and more advanced software. And yes, it has most certainly been a great decision. We have seen an increase in both productivity and output. In terms of the support we receive, Customer requests (and specifically some from us) are listened to and those that are practical and possible are considered to be included in future updates.
Micrographics was available, present and eager to assist by answering questions, offering suggestions and performing implementation of the new software.
We use the Autodesk Product Design and Manufacturing Collection and specifically, Inventor and InventorCAM.
Create toolpaths with powerful technology, such as 3D adaptive clearing, and the industry’s most complete package of finishing toolpaths.
Simultaneous 4- and 5-axis features for machining complex models include tilt, multi-axis contour, and swarf.
Improve productivity with traditional turning, facing, grooving, and boring functions. Includes support for live tooling mill-turning.
Generate 2D profile cutting paths quickly with the ability to add all contours in the same plane, add tabs, and specify quality settings.
Multiprocessor/multicore CPU support reduces toolpath calculation times, especially on large or complex designs.
Automatically avoid collisions between your part and tool holders during CNC calculations
Autodesk Inventor offers quick Design - CAM - Production within an environment that tracks and includes updates in real-time (time is money). Other CAM packages require updated models to be re-imported and toolpaths have to be manually updated or changed, possibly even rebuilt. The Autodesk Solution was streamlined and ended up being more efficient than software and workflows we were used to. The CAM software was integrated directly with Inventor and required no exporting and importing of data, just the selection of a new tab in the software ribbon.
We have used the tools in the past, but are not at this moment in time.
We have not seen the need for it at this stage, but we most certainly will when the time comes.
Yes. Telephonic and team viewer support is great, but if it is something that requires “hands-on”, Micrographics is geographically very close by, which is a big benefit to us.
Yes, we have used them and will do so again when required.
We purchase all our workstations from Micrographics so that they are correctly specified for application and budget. We have also recently invested in some of their 3D Connexion Design Mouse products.
Trek Plastics feels that Micrographics and Autodesk listen to their Customer requests and believe that those that are practical and possible are taken into consideration and communicated to be included in future updates. As challenges increase and expectations from clients rise, Trek Plastics is confident that Micrographics will always provide them with meaningful support and ensure that the products they use will be the best and most effcient option for their industry.
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