Delcam: CAD/CAM speeds up design process for auto parts giant

THE COMPANY: Magna Advanced Technologies is a division of Magna International Inc., a global automotive parts manufacturer based in Aurora, Ont. The company designs, develops and manufactures automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineers and assembles complete vehicles. The Advanced Technologies division focuses on the development of new products and technologies – from prototyping to tooling.

THE CHALLENGE: The automotive market is very competitive, and has faced many economic challenges in recent years. As a result, "capital is always constrained, [and] companies, Magna included, are always looking to conserve capital expenditures where possible," explains Durward Smith, director of Magna Advanced Technologies. "We need our programs and processes to be running as fast as possible." The company aims to develop new products and technologies that will help make parts faster and better without sacrificing quality.

THE STRATEGY: Magna Advanced Technologies chose PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL, from Delcam, to machine parts because the software allows them to easily transition from prototyping to tooling. PowerSHAPE CAD software provides a complete environment to take product ideas from concept to reality. It offers the freedom to manipulate surface form of the CAD model, to build from wire frame and make global changes with solid feature operations and editing. PowerMILL CAM software is designed for the manufacture of complex shapes typically found in the aerospace, automotive, medical device and tool making industries. The solution allows for high-efficiency roughing, high-speed finishing, five-axis machining techniques and fast calculation times, and provides powerful editing tools to ensure optimum performance on the machine tool.

THE RESULTS: Paul Miranda, a project leader for Magna Advanced Technologies, and a designer of many of the company’s inventive and inspired creations, couldn’t be happier with the Delcam solution. "I’ve used several softwares in the past. PowerMill, by far, is the quickest, easiest to use," he explains.