Factory setups can cost millions of dollars, and the most expensive time to fix design errors is after built-out systems physically exist. Canadian-based CenterLine (Windsor) Limited is innovating better ways for manufacturers to reduce costs and accelerate time-to-market. Since 1957, CenterLine has helped its customers with advanced automation processes and joining technologies for resistance welding, metal forming and cold spray applications.

Over the last ten years, CenterLine has experienced a significant shift in the use of simulation. In the past they used to simulate one or two robot work cells, but now they are designing, building and manufacturing work cells upfront in the digital world, thereby discovering and solving issues before physical prototyping or building.

To meet its simulation goals and customers’ needs, CenterLine chose Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its DELMIA Robotics application to visualize robot movements and optimize use of space, material flow and ergonomic safety. Wth DELMIA, they can virtually simulate products, processes and factory operations reducing iterations between design and tooling from six to three.

CenterLine also can integrate all data centrally on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform through the ENOVIA application. This enables the reuse of standard items, and leverage product design and processes from previous projects. It also shifts the focus of managers from managing data and products to day-to-day operations.

By simulating the assembly in a virtual setting, the platform enables CenterLine to anticipate issues early. Using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, CenterLine managed to increase productivity by 15% and reduce time-to-market by 15%.

Want to learn more? Check out the written case study to learn more about CenterLine’s experience with digital simulation and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform or watch the videos:

• Watch the Executive story video, that shows how CenterLine pioneers new technologies and approaches to stay at the technical forefront with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
• Learn how CenterLine uses the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to leverage product design and processes from previous projects to increase productivity by watching the Manager video.
• Explore how CenterLine uses DELMIA to virtually simulate products, processes and factory operations by checking out the User video.