Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Bentley Motors Implements Icona Solutions’ aesthetica

By Design World Staff | March 6, 2009

Share



Manchester, UK
— Bentley Motors has implemented Icona Solutions’ innovative perceived quality simulation software, aesthetica, at its design and manufacturing plant in Crewe, England. It is being used to streamline and improve the process of achieving consistently high perceived quality in the company’s vehicles without
negatively impacting development timescales and manufacturing costs.


The software has been introduced to help overcome the difficulties of getting all
stake-holders in the vehicle design and development process — styling,
engineering, quality and manufacturing personnel — to agree at the most
appropriate stage in the development process on the assembled conditions to
which the Class A surfaces development process should adhere.

bentley-1.jpg
Gap and flush tolerance targets for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed are set and displayed in aesthetica.


“At Bentley Motors we are constantly seeking ways to improve the design
processes required to achieve quality in manufacturing,” explained Jim Shaw,
manager of concept engineering at Bentley Motors. “However, the practicalities
of getting everyone involved to agree the gap and flush conditions ahead of the
Class A surfacing process meant there was a reluctance to commit to them early
enough in the design process. This was resulting in agreements only being
reached after tooling prove-out models had been milled and stacked, which was
leading to loops in the Class A surfacing activity that were eating into the
development timeline.”


Following the findings of a working group that was formed to look into
dimensional management throughout the development process at Bentley
Motors, several new techniques were identified and justified, with the
implementation of aesthetica being the final piece of the jig-saw puzzle.


“In several pilot projects over recent months it has been clearly demonstrated
that aesthetica allows us to truly visualize the effects of all stake-holders’
proposals, not just for edge conditions but also for the underlying fixing
constraints”, said Shaw. “Styling, engineering, quality and manufacturing people
can therefore appreciate and understand each other’s requirements and reach
agreement at a much earlier stage in the development process than was the
case before.”


Fewer physical models
The use of Icona Solutions’ aesthetica software at Bentley Motors allows the
variation in key areas of the vehicle that would occur under manufacturing
conditions to be visualized, studied and understood without the need for the
manufacture of solid, physical models. These key areas have been agreed with
the cross-functional team that is responsible for design approval.

bentley-2.jpg
Integration of aesthetica with Bunkspeed Hypershot provides high quality, state-of-the-art photographic snapshot capabilities.


“Specific viewpoints that are used by the audit team have been set up in
aesthetica so that they review the virtual 3D models in the same way that they
view production cars,” explained Patrick Crutchley, Senior Engineer – Surfacing
at Bentley Motors. “The improvement in understanding and the promotion of
collaboration between departments that this brings has been immense,” he adds.


Future developments
While aesthetica is now bringing real and quantifiable benefits to the Class A
surfacing and dimensional management processes at Bentley Motors, the car
manufacturer is also looking at how the software can be used in the future,
further upstream in the design process to influence the early style development.


“In addition”, stated Shaw, “we are working closely with both Icona Solutions and
with Bunkspeed to examine the use of Bunkspeed’s HyperShot 3D visualization
software to provide state-of-the-art, photographic quality snapshot capabilities
directly from aesthetica. This would take advantage of the HyperShot integration
capability that Icona Solutions offers as an optional supplement to aesthetica’s
in-built visualization facilities”.


Tim Illingworth, managing director, Icona Solutions Ltd., said, “We are very proud
of the fact that Bentley Motors has selected aesthetica after an exhaustive
evaluation of its capabilities. Together with our business partner, Majenta
Solutions, we look forward to continuing to work with Bentley Motors in the
further development of the solutions and in their deployment within the
company.”


Icona Solutions

www.iconasolutions.com


Bentley Motors

www.bentleymotors.com


::Design World::


Filed Under: Automotive, FEA software, Simulation, Software

 

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

55417-edgeConnectoren_V3.0_05-2022_cmyk_300dpi
edgeConnector product family from Softing now include a REST API
Rockwell Automation offers new online capabilities with industrial automation software
Exosite
An end-to-end solution for expert level post sales service and support
Micro Controllers and Design Software optimize smart machine design

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings