China Manufacturing Corp. + Voxel8
VOXEL8 is a 3D Printing hardware company. The company designed and developed the world’s first 3D electronics printer. VOXEL8’s printer was declared one of the best ideas at CES 2015, according to Fast Company. VOXEL8 chose SOLIDWORKS as its design tool. Since making the commitment to use SOLIDWORKS, VOXEL8 looks for vendors that use the same software.
VOXEL8 first learned about China Manufacturing Corp. through a Lunch & Learn at Greentown Labs. The Lunch & Learn program is taught by a China Manufacturing Corp. engineer. The goal of the program is to discuss sheet metal and machined part design for manufacturability and introduces ECMC.
ECMCis a free add-in for SOLIDWORKS. This allows engineers to cost and order sheet metal parts within the CAD software, instantly. No external website is involved. ECMC also provides design for manufacturability feedback as customers design sheet metal parts.
After the Lunch & Learn, four engineers from VOXEL8 began using ECMC. The designers implemented the tool because of the immediate design feedback and instant ordering. One of the favorite features is getting quotes outside of the traditional 9a-5p workday.
Since the implementation of ECMC, VOXEL8 has seen improvements in costing and efficiency. The design cycle is shortened. This is due to not having to wait around for quotes, design feedback and pricing approval. There is a decrease in the number of parts needed to be ordered. Since the designers are designing, costing, and ordering in one CAD software program, the margin for error decreases. This means parts arrive correctly the first time around. Finally, the engineers have the ability to get pricing anytime on a variety of materials. This allows the designers to see which materials affect the pricing of their part and allow the designer to try different options.
VOXEL8 allows each engineer to choose their vendor. But, because of their proven relationship with China Manufacturing Corp. they do encourage the use of ECMC. VOXEL8’s team is looking forward to the growing line of features ECMCcontinually releases. The most anticipated feature is ECMCfor machined parts, launching soon.
Learn more and stay up-to-date, VOXEL8 Website: https://www.voxel8.com
