SolidWorks UK: 19 November, 2008

Nordson UV has standardised on SolidWorks® 3D CAD software to design innovative ultraviolet (UV) lamps used to quickly dry the ink in printers and paper presses around the world. Using SolidWorks, Nordson has reduced its design time while improving the UV lamps that allow inkjet printers and printing presses to produce more pages faster.

A subsidiary of Nordson Corporation, Nordson UV switched from 2D drawings to 3D SolidWorks Office Professional software to more efficiently design components that fit in tight spaces while ensuring accuracy. "Our lamps must fit in awkward spaces, but it’s much easier to design something to operate in that space working in 3D because you can better visualize interference and other issues,” said Charles Bushell, design engineer at Nordson. “We switched from AutoCAD® software to SolidWorks so that we can see how the assembly will come together during manufacturing. SolidWorks automates the processes that AutoCAD can’t so we can focus on designing better UV lamps, and not on the steps for getting there.”

Now engineers can better identify and fix design errors on screen instead of in prototyping. They can also track how water will pass through the manifold in water-cooled systems to ensure the lamp will maintain optimum operating temperatures. Additionally, they use SolidWorks mass properties to quickly calculate weights in assemblies where every gram counts. “SolidWorks allows us to be more innovative and push weight limits and performance as far as they’ll go,” said Bushell. Nordson uses the PDMWorks product data management tool to allow engineers to work on designs concurrently while ensuring version control and accuracy.

It uses SolidWorks Simulation Xpress™ to test the strength of different assemblies, such as the shutters that regulate the amount of UV light that hits a page without burning it. The company also uses SolidWorks eDrawings® e-mail-enabled design communication tool to share designs with customers and suppliers.