Autonational
Dynamic Modeling the pioneer behind turn-key projects

"Our machines find their way all over the world. Among our turnkey projects, we developed a unique process for labeling cups directly during production. With the Dynamic Modeling based approach to 3D design from CoCreate Software, we can change anything at any time without the model collapsing like a house of cards."

Eric Petrusma, Head of Mechanical Engineering, Autonational

The Complete Story

Autonational began in 1977 as an engineering consulting firm. But client demands quickly changed the company's focus from sets of drawings to working machines. Over time, the business evolved further so that today Autonational delivers turnkey projects worldwide.

Despite its expanding scope, the company still produces custom high-tech machinery. Making these one-off machines profitable requires smart planning and development.

The production lines for polystyrene cups provide a good example of how an innovative idea can lead to more competitive products, and how a specialized machine can be generalized for a wider market.

Traditionally, if you wanted your brand name or any information on a disposable coffee or tea cup, you'd have to use cardboard. But when people use these for hot drinks such as tea and coffee, they frequently resort to using up to three cups so as not to burn their fingers.

So, Autonational developed a unique process for labeling polystyrene cups directly during production for one of its clients. The polystyrene cups provide insulation, so they protect your fingers and keep drinks hot or cold. Consumer safety-oriented markets especially welcomed this innovation. In fact, it was featured on national news in the US.

Autonational says it can continually build innovative products at a profit in part because it attends to its own planning and project administration. Much of that project administration starts with the company's CAD system. For many years, Autonational has used CoCreate software to develop its mechanical designs. "We started using CoCreate OneSpace Drafting a long time ago," says Petrusma. "Because of its parts-based method, this was the best 2D CAD available; plus, we could easily use it for work like generating parts lists and batch plotting—all in one push of a button."

A few years ago, Autonational transitioned to 3D. Engineers briefly evaluated 3D CAD packages on the market and concluded that the many well-known, history-based systems were inadequate.

"You can waste a lot of energy keeping a design workable," says Eric Petrusma, "In demonstrations, you'd see the sales guys had already taken late changes into account, which in practice is unrealistic. That's why we opted for CoCreate OneSpace Modeling and the Dynamic Modeling based approach to 3D design." Petrusma states that with the CoCreate software, a user can change anything at any time without the model collapsing like a house of cards.

Engineers aren't the only ones who benefit from the 3D system. The biggest advantage is that the models can be used directly on the commercial end. Customers see a working machine before it actually exists. "Investment decisions are rarely made by technicians," says Petrusma. "So, this is of enormous value to us."

The virtual model assures the customer that a working machine can be delivered within the agreed time and at the agreed price.

Further big advantages lie in the calculation of designs and the production of documentation. The company replaced its previous stand-alone finite element software with FE Analysis for CoCreate OneSpace Modeling. Since FE Analysis is integrated with the CAD system, it makes the transfer of geometry trivial.

Finally, OneSpace Modeling helps produce the documentation for assembly and maintenance more quickly. Plus, more facilities exist for filtering information.

"The customer needs to have maintenance information, not the complete set of drawings," says Smit. "By controlling what leaves the premises, we ensure our intellectual property remains in our own hands. That's important as plagiarism is on the rise throughout the world."

Engineers and management carefully evaluated CoCreate OneSpace Model Manager and are in the process of integrating with some additional features provided by Xandorra, a CoCreate partner in the Netherlands. "We know that functionally, everything is possible; we have no doubts on that score," says Petrusma. "But we are used to - even spoiled by a customized OneSpace Drafting — a system in which everything works at the push of a button, and we wanted to be sure of that with OneSpace Model Manager."

Petrusma says he expects OneSpace Model Manager to provide him even faster access to customer data and to help make controlled variants of existing machines easier to create.

"We are convinced that OneSpace Model Manager can serve us well." says Petrusma.

Company Profile

The Frisian village of IJlst, near Sneek, is home to Autonational, a mid-sized machinery manufacturer that excels at automating production processes. All of the company's specialized products exhibit innovative design ideas, especially when it comes to polystyrene technology.

Autonational has made equipment that works with the foam-like material since its founding and now creates superior machines that can be put together faster than ever using innovative new assembly approaches.

Most recently, Autonational has developed machines that produce Thin Walled cups and In Mould labeling—two new firsts in market.

For more information, please visit: www.autonational.com.

The production lines for polystyrene cups provide a good example of how an innovative idea can lead to more competitive products, and how a specialized machine can be generalized for a wider market.