Sara Lee / DE prefers DeskProto over high-end CAM software for packaging design prototyping.
For immediate release, May 2002.
Utrecht (NL) -- May 1, 2002 -- Delft Spline Systems of the Netherlands today announced that its DeskProto software wil be used by Sara Lee / DE for in-house Rapid Prototyping of new packaging designs.
Sara Lee's division of Household and Body Care markets well-known A-level brands like Badedas, Sanex, Odorex, Prodent and Ambi-Pur. As for the success of these products packaging design is vital, a special packaging design department is present to focus on this issue. Designing was done using the very powerful Unigraphics CAD/CAM software, which was also used to quickly create prototypes on an in-house CNC milling machine. Recently Sara Lee decided to simplify this prototyping process by instead using the DeskProto 3D CAM software, as this software has been specially developed for the application of prototyping. For the design work Sara Lee has switched to the SolidWorks 3D CAD software.
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A shampoo bottle of Sara Lee / DE, with CNC toolpaths by DeskProto. |
"Our design staff does not use CAM software on a daily basis." says Karel Lampe, senior design consultant with Sara Lee. "To calculate CNC toolpaths in Unigraphics they had to each time remember the complex procedure needed, which took far too much time. DeskProto is exactly suited for our aim as it offers less functionality, and is thus much easier to use."
The difference between both CAM solutions is in fact that high-end CAM software is aimed at toolmakers, who want to be able to control any milling parameter as they know exactly what they are doing. In contrast, DeskProto is aimed at designers, who do not know much about CAM and do not want to be bothered with that knowledge as well. DeskProto makes the procedure from 3D CAD file to CNC toolpath file very easy: it will take care of any potential problem and solve it without bothering the user. A second (large) difference is the price of the software.
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Prototypes of Sanex Facial Care packaging, created using DeskProto CNC machining. Design by Flex Development, models by Willems Prototyping. (click here for a larger size) |
Rapid Prototyping can be done using Layered Manufacturing Technology on a system that stacks thin layers of material, and also using CNC milling technology on a system that removes small chips of material. The first technology is able to handle very complex geometries, the latter technology offers the advantages of a much lower price (of the system and per model), a free choice of material, a free choice of accuracy (both rough concept models and detailed presentation models are possible), and the possibility of large size models.
About Sara Lee / DE:
Sara Lee / DE is a subsidiary of Sara Lee Corporation: a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. With headquarters in Chicago, Sara Lee has operations in more than 40 countries and markets branded products in more than 170 nations. Sara Lee / DE was founded in 1753, currently the total number of employees is over 26.000 worldwide. The division Household and Body Care includes the product groups shoecare, airfresheners, bodycare and insecticides.For more information see www.saralee.com
About DeskProto
DeskProto by Delft Spline Systems is the 3D CAM program that has made CNC milling a competing technology for Rapid Prototyping. The software can import STL files from any 3D CAD system, and can export NC program files suited for any 3-axis CNC milling machine. Key features are the ease of use (the software is aimed at designers, not at CAM specialists) and the low price. Clients range from one person design and models shops to very large companies like Unilever and NASA.For more information see www.deskproto.com
DeskProto is a registered trademark of Delft Spline Systems.
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