You Know You're Riding A Redneck Chopper When...
CONCORD, MA - November 7, 2006: Redneck Engineering, a South Carolina company crafting custom motorcycles for everyday folks, is building better bikes faster with SolidWorks® 3D CAD software.
SolidWorks is Redneck’s first CAD software product. Owner Vince “Nobody” Doll learned to use SolidWorks software last year in a four-day crash course and has since shortened his concept-to-product cycle by 75 percent. Prior to learning SolidWorks software, he had been frustrated trying to communicate his intent to CAD specialists who second-guessed him.
Within 24 hours of finishing his training course, Doll solved a problem he’d been working on for two weeks, quickly completing the design for the XB Bobber, a popular low-slung street rod. SolidWorks Office Premium and its integrated COSMOS® analysis software also enabled Redneck to develop its first line of “soft tails,” or bikes with rear suspension.
“I wanted 3D CAD so I could create models myself rather than describe my ideas to someone who thought he knew better than I did,” Doll said. “My research on CAD products on the market came out six-to-one in favor of SolidWorks software for its ease of use and bang for the buck. My choice panned out. When I went through training, there were half a dozen engineers learning SolidWorks, too, but I was able to keep up with them. I’d dabbled previously with AutoCAD® and Autodesk Inventor® software, but they were goofy to learn. SolidWorks, on the other hand, is easy enough to use for anybody. It’s the best money I ever spent on my business.”
SolidWorks software paid for itself many times over, according to Doll. It has allowed Redneck to sell pricey prototyping machines the company no longer needs since designs can now be developed and analyzed completely online. SolidWorks software has streamlined communication between Doll and his 20 employees who make the bikes. Doll can now set a part model printout on a work table and design the tooling right around it, reducing tooling time from two weeks to two hours.
Perhaps most importantly, SolidWorks and COSMOS software are helping Redneck build better motorcycles. The software makes it easy to achieve the proper fork trail – the offset of the front wheel axle from the fork axis – and COSMOSMotion helps ensure that bikes stay flat while steering. Doll can easily analyze suspension design, including compression, rebound rates, and swing-arm action. Mass properties enable the company to quickly calculate weights and pinpoint centers of balance for sure handling. SolidWorks has also taken over calculation work Doll previously performed with cumbersome spreadsheets. These capabilities came together dramatically in the company’s daring customization of a rare Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle that will be showcased at the prestigious Antique Motorcycle Show next spring at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Los Angeles.
Doll explains that SolidWorks “frees (his) mind” by letting him make a 3D model, tack a printout on the wall, and think about improving the design every time he walks by it. He demonstrated SolidWorks software to other bike builders at the recent Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, prompting a German designer to switch to SolidWorks from AutoCAD.
“Art and engineering make fine bedfellows, and that’s what you’re experiencing when you see one of Redneck’s machines,” said Rainer Gawlick, SolidWorks Corporation’s vice president of worldwide marketing. “SolidWorks software helps the inspired designer concentrate on his or her vision rather than the workings of the CAD tool, resulting in machines that demonstrate superior looks and performance.”
Redneck Engineering relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller TPM for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
About Redneck Engineering
Redneck Engineering, based in Liberty, S.C., builds really cool, functional and affordable motorcycles for everyday folks. Redneck Engineering doesn’t give a damn how they do it on the West coast. For more information, visit www.redneckengineering.com.
About TPM
For more than 3 decades, TPM has used technology and expertise to bring greater productivity to the creative design process. TPM supports the entire design process from conception and collaboration to management and presentation. At the heart of it all is an unwavering dedication to our clients’ success. For more information, please visit www.tpm.com.
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. company, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. COSMOS is a registered trademark and COSMOSMotion is a trademark of Structural Research & Analysis Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2006 SolidWorks Corporation.
Click here(http://www.solidworks.com/pages/news/MediaPcasts.html) to listen to a podcast interview with Redneck Engineering’s Vince Doll.
