The move to Autodesk Vault Professional
Drachten-based FMI ImProvia switched to Autodesk Vault Professional. The biggest challenge was organising and converting an extensive archive of almost twenty years of drawings and data to the new library. The advantages of Vault are now becoming clear. 'We can process new orders much faster,' says lead engineer Haiko Jaasma. 'Everyone always works with the most up-to-date version and the cooperation between engineers and mechanics in the workshop is more streamlined.'
FMI ImProvia emerged from Philips Drachten and specialised in engineering, consultancy and mechanical engineering. The company cooperates with other FMI sister companies in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland but operates completely independently for small and large customers such as VW, Scania and Teledyne. One of its biggest customers is still Philips, prominent in Drachten with an international development and research centre and manufacturer of shavers and personal care appliances, among others.
Philips is never far away
A major employer in the region and a network for suppliers. 'We still work very regularly for Philips,' Haiko Jaasma says. 'For example, we develop complete machines for the production departments, as well as modules, and we deal with the deployment of robots for use in production.'
Complicated projects, then, resulting in unique, new machines and modules. 'True, but not all components or parts need to be rethought and made again. Wherever possible, we incorporate previous designs and parts. And precisely for that, it is necessary to be able to work with a library where you can find everything quickly and the documents can also be read directly into the design. That was one of the reasons for choosing Vault Professional.'
We can process new orders much faster. Everyone is always working with the most up-to-date version and cooperation between engineers and mechanics in the workshop is more streamlined.
Haiko Jaasma
Lead engineer - FMI ImProvia
Having overview in data management
Vault Professional is more than just a library. 'Of course,' says Mischa Mulder, senior account manager at Cadac. Vault is a complete data management system in which data are arranged very clearly and can easily be retrieved using handy search tools. Integration of other software packages is easy. It contributes to a better design process and the data are also more secure. Everything is stored on external, secure server rooms.'
Handy, thinks Haiko Jaasma. 'Until the summer, we had our own servers on which we ran our Inventor-systems software. Fine in itself, but software ages quickly. And you are vulnerable. For failures or hacks, just look at recent examples. Now we have nothing to worry about, everything is safely stored. Moreover, Cadac takes care of all updates and necessary adjustments.'
A convenient follow-along feature
The "watch along" function within Vault also adds value for FMI ImProvia. 'Sure. Engineers can work on a design together, on different screens. This way, they share their expertise directly and any errors become visible earlier. After approval, modifications are immediately recorded in the design. Everyone then works with the same version, reducing the risk of error. We now also share preliminary designs with our fitters in the workshop at a much earlier stage. They look along live, in 3D on the computers. With their practical experience, they can immediately see whether certain configurations are feasible. Communication clearly improves.'
Time savings created
And then there is a gain in time. 'Normally, our engineers complete a design and then the drawings go to the workshop in 2D and on paper. Now the engineers have had earlier insight into the 3D design and made their comments. In addition, various components and parts can be simulated, produced and tested earlier. This does save time with more efficient use of machinery and optimal capacity utilisation. Component procurement can also be better planned, as can orders for suppliers.'
Verwerken van data in de bibliotheek
FMI ImProvia has been working with Cadac as a supplier for design software for more than a decade. Early this year, the decision was made to switch to Vault. Implementing Vault Professional took several months, mainly because a lot of data had to be processed in the library. That takes time,' Mischa Mulder acknowledges. 'Then we took ample time for testing and instructions for employees. I understand that the system is now bearing fruit.'
Haiko Jaasma nods. 'The process has gone well. From the introduction here on site by the Cadac people and the data analysis to the installation and the support and service. We found the live experience at Cadac in Meppel, where we could see what the system would give us, very enlightening. Very useful, such a preview. It convinces everyone.
We are taking the next step in digitalisation
With Vault Professional FMI ImProvia is taking the next step in digitalisation, perfectly fitting its ambitions. The company is an active member of the Innovation Cluster Drachten (ICD), a partnership of 23 companies and institutes working on the so-called Big-5 in high-tech industry: robotics, 3D printing, big data, visual intelligence and circularity. Within the ICD, knowledge and facilities are shared, including in the Shared Facility Centre and in the skills lab of the Smart Industry Hub in Drachten. Thus, large and small companies are facilitated to introduce and develop new technologies and, above all, to accelerate digitalisation. 'In the cluster, we also cooperate in recruiting and retaining talent. They are all companies with challenging projects and thus interesting jobs. Not everyone knows that so many innovative industrial companies are located here in the northern Netherlands.'
Challenging work
Like the other participants in the cluster, FMI ImProvia also introduces as many students of any level as possible to the company through internships. 'We are constantly looking for talent, both mechanics and engineers. Because we want to grow, both nationally and internationally. We now have 40 employees, eight of whom are mechanical engineers. That should be more. An internship allows us to show which projects we work on here. There is not much repetition. We are always developing new machines or modules for specific customers, each time more advanced and better. That is what makes working here so challenging. The new software we now use to engineer better and faster contributes to this.