Automation is key for Knapheide – DriveWorks automates mundane tasks, improves communication, and helps their engineers keep up with demand.
Based in Illinois, USA, Knapheide is a truck body manufacturer with a family-run history that spans over 175 years. They are committed to supplying a diverse product offering and encouraging customization. They were guided and supported with DriveWorks software by value-added reseller, Hawk Ridge Systems.
Before implementing DriveWorks software
Engineers were undertaking a lot of mundane tasks in design work, drawings, creating BOMs, adding notes, dimensions, and tens of thousands of parts throughout product iterations. Engineering at Knapheide was not able to create 3D models for all of their products because they couldn’t keep up with the volume.
Automation is key
DriveWorks has enabled Knapheide to automate mundane tasks so that designers can focus on the fun part – the design cycle.
“We do a lot of creating base models, and configuring that across the product line, and utilizing DriveWorks has allowed us to create that base model and handle that proliferation much more consistently, efficiently, and a lot faster as well”
Justin Steele, Engineering Manager, Knapheide
Knapheide is now working more consistently and efficiently.
Optimized communication between teams
DriveWorks has opened a communication bridge between designers and those on the shop floor. Knapheide’s engineers can now provide detailed 3D models directly to the shop floor. They are more efficient and able to keep up with the demand they struggled to meet before implementing DriveWorks.
”They can measure, pull things apart and get that extra perception. This has made the production process much more efficient by creating a communication path and allowing users to open CAD files from others even if they’re on a different shift”
Marty Ohnemus, CAD Administrator, Knapheide
Working with DriveWorks reseller, Hawk Ridge Systems
Based in California, DriveWorks reseller Hawk Ridge Systems have been supporting Knapheide to identify and select the right tools to help Knapheide optimize their business processes and create a custom service for their customers.
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