PowerSki implements software to achieve just-in-time mass production; reduces design time by 90 percent, cuts 30 hours off machining time
Needham, MA — August 22, 2003 — Product lifecycle management (PLM) software provider PTC this week said that PowerSki International Corp. has achieved "just-in-time" mass production for its new PowerSki Igniter 2000 motorized surfboard using PTC's Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire product design and development software and Windchill ProjectLink Web collaboration solution.
The PowerSki Igniter 2000 Jetboard is a motorized wakeboard, a cross between a high-performance surfboard and a competition water-ski/wakeboard. The design and packaging for the Igniter 2000 was made through the use of Pro/ENGINEER and its industrial design, detailed design, simulation and production capabilities.
"We are in the process of designing our complete Jetboard in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire," said Jim Habig, PowerSki's vice president of Sales and Marketing, "and we are using its Behavior Modeling and simulation capabilities to analyze and optimize our Jetboard. Working with Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire and Pro/INTRALINK 3.3 we are able to design, analyze,and produce components and assemblies in a short period of time across many boundaries."
Using Pro/ENGINEER to design and visualize the components decreased PowerSki's design time by 90 percent, according to the company. By using the manufacturing capability of Pro/ENGINEER, the company said it was also able to machine engine components directly from the Pro/ENGINEER designs, which cut 30 hours from the machining time of each part.
"This process enables us to achieve a higher production rate at a lower cost," noted PowerSki CEO Bob Montgomery. "Thanks to Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire and Windchill ProjectLink, PowerSki is moving into full production in record time."
