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Ford Performance
Racing’s cutting edge technology has been secured for another year after the V8
Supercar Championship Series team re-signed with Product Lifecycle Management
Australasia (PLMA).
The agreement will
see FPR’s engineers continue to design using PLMA’s NX I-deas technology, which
revolutionised the team’s operations four years ago.
“Prior to us having
NX I-deas, we didn’t have a 3D CAD package so any parts we designed were
2D,”said Design Engineer Andrew Neilson. “Complex shapes needed to go out and be
redesigned in 3D for manufacture so this software has absolutely allowed us to
become more independent. We have all the conceptualizing, validating, designing
and manufacturing tools in-house now.”
NX I-deas software is
used to create engineering designs, from radiator end plates to wheel hubs,
which are then passed to the team’s machine shop to be manufactured. The
accuracy of the system means each car is identical so no driver is ever
compromised.
“Since we’ve been
using NX I-deas, we’ve been able to design the car from the ground up,” said
Neilson. “The guys manufacture to +/-1mm accuracy at the very most so all the
parts are interchangeable between cars. We can test each part quickly with very
short lead times whilst still having confidence they will
work.”
NX I-deas, which has
a market value in the tens of thousands of dollars, has also been vital in
designing the new FG Falcon race car as Ford uses the same software. “It’s
strengthened our working relationship because we all talk the same language,”
added Neilson.
PLMA markets, sells,
implements and supports software technologies and related services that improve
its customers' capabilities in fields ranging from defence and aerospace to
education and plastics (for more information see www.plma.com.au ).
In return for the
on-going provision of its software, including training, FPR will carry PLMA
stickers on each of the team’s race cars, an association that has proved
valuable to the company.
“Motorsport is a very
prominent pinnacle of engineering,” said PLMA Director Dennis Colusso. “It’s
natural for us to be involved and an association with one of the top V8 Supercar
teams is the perfect showcase for our product.
“FPR's decision to
continue with us endorses the strengths and capabilities of the NX I-deas system
and its ability to integrate the design and manufacturing processes, which has
been a real benefit to FPR. Hopefully this is the year that will see all our
efforts come to fruition with a championship title!”
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