Plico Chooses 3D MCAD Software from ASCON

Swedish manufacturer using KOMPAS-3D in designing complex drill bit sanders.

Per-Inge and Harriet Jonsson began their partnership in 1981 as consultants for manufacturing companies in Finspеng, Sweden. In 1983, the two built their own workshop with a focus on fabrication and welding. Four years later, they decided on a new marketing strategy, in which they would create a niche by working with aluminum as their preferred material. In 2010, Plico bought the rights to manufacture a drill bit sanding machine, which has since proved to be a successful move for the company.

Plico operates today in facility of 1,300 square meters (13,000 square feet), offering customers professional, high-end, high quality manufactured products. Most orders are for complex products made from multiple parts. Currently, the largest and the most interesting of these is the drill bit sanding machine, designed by Plico's own staff.

Every employee is considered a unique resource, who gains a sense of responsibility for the end result through on-going education and in-house motivational activities. By participating actively in the entire production process, employee safety levels are heightened in all respects, benefiting the company as a whole.

The Project

Plico works in a very competitive market, and so the company needed a way to speed up its design process and manufacturing operations, while reducing their overall cost structure. At the same time, the company wanted to maintain sufficient flexibility to satisfy the special requirements of its large customer base. Plico understood that designing just in 2D is not enough in today's world.

After evaluating several 3D mechanical CAD software solutions, they obtained information about KOMPAS-3D from colleagues. Soon after, Plico made the decision to choose KOMPAS-3D for doing professional 3D solid modeling in-house. An implementation of ASCON's software solutions began in February, 2008 and now it is used to create all of the parts of the drill bit sanding machine.

The switch to KOMPAS-3D and its add-ons proved to be a quick and easy and process for Plico's employees. This was due to the fact that KOMPAS-3D is easy to learn, and has features that are easy to use. As well, they received highly qualified and timely support from their local KOMPAS-3D reseller, JL Systems.

Since 2007, JL Systems has been an official value added reseller of KOMPAS-3D and KOMPAS-Graphic products in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The company provides a full line of sales, support, and training systems for MCAD solutions. The Plico implementation of KOMPAS-3D was made possible through the strong cooperation of both companies.

Plico now has the advantage of using a uniform 3D MCAD system throughout the company. KOMPAS-3D provides it with a powerful and professional set of design functions, which are available at a reasonable price for the software, annual maintenance, and upgrades.

With such a positive experience behind it, Plico now plans to increase number of KOMPAS-3D seats in the near future.