Innova Systems Help UWG
02 February 2008
Innova Systems supplies UWG with SolidWorks to deliver cost effective products
UWG Ltd. is using SolidWorks® 3D CAD and COSMOSWorks® design analysis software from Innova Systems to develop equipment that makes oil drilling around the world safer and more efficient. UWG has standardized on SolidWorks and COSMOSWorks to reduce product development time and deliver cost-effective products and technical solutions to such global powerhouses as BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell.
A subsidiary of the Acteon Group, UWG designs and installs minimum facilities platforms, structural centralizers (which hold pipelines in place on a production platform), sub-sea structures, sub-sea cameras and performs tiebacks engineering for connecting wells from the seabed to a platform. The company had been using a combination of 2D and 3D CAD programs before standardizing on SolidWorks. Together, companies in the Acteon Group have 25 licenses of SolidWorks.
"We needed to get designs and products out the door faster, and we needed to reduce the cost for quoting and delivering these to our clients," said UWG design team leader, Matthew White. "We often had to recreate models in our previous analysis software, which took time, introduced errors, and frustrated us as we tried to finish designs on deadline. SolidWorks' integration with COSMOSWorks eliminated those challenges so we can focus on the project, not managing CAD software."
That integration has played a crucial role as UWG recently designed customized small minimum facilities platforms, drilling templates and centralizers for its clients. Precision is a must, as platforms in the North Sea and around the world can be rocked by vicious weather patterns, violent seas, and powerful currents. The centralizers have to hold the pipeline in place without allowing it to bang into the platform or shake free anywhere above or below the ocean floor.
Using SolidWorks 2D design tables, engineers cut development time for the 80 Metre square platform from one week to two days. They then used COSMOSWorks to study how the structure would stand up to gale force winds and shifting seas to ensure clients wouldn't lose production time or money because of a structural failure.
"SolidWorks and COSMOSWorks give us confidence in the accuracy of our designs, so we know our designs and products will deliver on our promises," said UWG IT manager, John Rainbow. "That's how we continue to design better products and strengthen our reputations in an extremely competitive industry."
UWG uses eDrawings email-enabled design communication tool to share designs with clients, as well as with internal procurement staff so they know exactly what parts they are purchasing at what price. SolidWorks PDMWorks Product Data Management (PDM) platform allows UWG to manage all of the design data it generates while enabling engineers to safely store, track, and work on designs concurrently.
