Autodesk Product Design Suite Increases Tolar Manufacturing’s Design
Efficiency by Up to 25 Percent
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2012--
Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), has named Tolar Manufacturing (Tolar) — a
manufacturer of transit shelters, street furniture and advertising
kiosks — as the Autodesk Inventor
of the Month for January 2012. Tolar was recognized for its use of
Autodesk software in creating custom products tailored to the needs of
municipalities throughout North America.
Sonoma County transit shelter manufactured by Tolar Manufacturing and designed with the help of Autodesk Product Design Suite (Photo: Business Wire)
Tolar offers more than 500 shelter types within the company’s four main
product lines, each designed and engineered to be long-lasting,
attractive and environmentally friendly. This includes complying with a
wide range of building code requirements across North America and
community design requirements from economical transit shelters to high
volume bus rapid transit facilities. Tolar client expectations for
purpose- driven design range from hurricane-resistant bus shelters for
Florida communities to solar-powered transit displays for agencies in
California.
“We recognize the need to design shelters specifically for today’s urban
environments, and Autodesk Product
Design Suite definitely helps us do that more efficiently,” said
Patrick Merrick, executive vice president of Tolar. “We estimate that
we’ve been able to improve our overall efficiency by 20 to 25 percent,
thanks in large part to Autodesk software.”
Digital Models Streamline Operations
Working with Autodesk Gold Partner KETIV Technologies, Tolar has
significantly expanded its Digital
Prototyping portfolio in recent years and now relies on Autodesk
Inventor, Autodesk
Inventor Publisher, Autodesk
Showcase and Autodesk
Vault software.
On a typical project, Tolar begins by creating 3D models of the proposed
shelter using Inventor software. To further communicate design intent to
customers, Tolar can create a near-photorealistic image of the model in
Showcase software, and then superimpose it over an actual streetscape
from the customer’s town, enabling customers to see exactly what Tolar’s
product will look like when installed in the community.
Next, the Inventor manufacturing models are used to fabricate the
multiple components that make up the shelter. These models provide
clear, concise and comprehensive communications, resulting in fewer
errors on the shop floor.
Additionally, Tolar uses Vault software to centrally store and manage
its digital data, making it easier for the company to access and reuse
drawings of specific parts for multiple projects rather than having to
start each time from scratch — significantly reducing project turnaround
time. Tolar also uses Inventor Publisher software to create installation
instructions for customers.
“Tolar Manufacturing is gaining a powerful advantage across all aspects
of its operations with Digital Prototyping,” said Robert
“Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Design, Lifecycle and
Simulation at Autodesk. “With Autodesk software, the company is able to
take its existing creative design processes and world-class
manufacturing standards and make them even stronger.”
About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of
Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to
Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and
groundbreaking innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor
of the Month, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.
About Tolar Manufacturing
Founded in 1991, Tolar Manufacturing Company, Inc., designs and
fabricates best-in-class bus shelters, street furniture and display
structures. The company operates a 55,000 square-foot company-owned
modern structure in Corona, Calif., that serves as its corporate
headquarters and manufacturing facility. For additional information,
visit www.tolarmfg.com.
About KETIV Technologies
KETIV Technologies is a leading Autodesk solutions provider with 25
years’ experience delivering CAD software and services in California,
Arizona and Nevada. Focused on the manufacturing, civil engineering and
process plant industries, KETIV’s team of industry experts increase the
profitability of engineering companies by helping them simplify the
process of conceptualization, design and production. For additional
information, visit www.ketiv.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D
design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the
manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and
entertainment industries -- including the last 16 Academy Award winners
for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize
and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in
1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of
state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information
about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Editorial Note: An interview with Tolar Manufacturing is available on
the Autodesk YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoLchEj7m2Q.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor and Showcase are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries.
Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks
belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter
product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any
time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or
graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50150865&lang=en
Source: Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, Inc.
Jennifer Gentrup, 415-547-2435
jennifer.gentrup@autodesk.com