Deployment of 3D visual configurator accelerates sales-to-engineering cycle by over 90% and enhances user experience

Challenges.

The scope of work included adopting generative method of design development for automation which posed the following challenges to the project team:

• Investing significant time to create a master model for enabling higher and more complex customization later, as every washroom cubicle had different door location and opening/closure mechanism.
• Developing complex logic to accommodate a high probability of customization, given that the number of cubicles could vary from 1 to 20.
• Addressing each client’s unique requirements for a 3D sketch preview of the complete architectural floor, as design automation platforms typically provide previews only for the product being customized.

Solution.

A washroom configurator, developed using DriveWorks, was shared with the client’s design team, facilitating faster customization of cubicles and panel designs. This tool allowed for the auto-generation of 3D previews of finalized models and manufacturing drawings, complete with BOMs, providing higher accuracy and greater interactivity for the sales team.

Project Samples.

Bathroom Configuration DriveWorks

Configure Bathroom Systems

Configure Cubicals Customization

Cubicles Panelling Systems

Customize Panelling System DriveWorks

Washroom Configurator DriveWorks

Approach.

The client provided primary technical documents and reference drawings for the washroom cubicles and an overview of the workflow from sales to delivery. A project team, consisting of two design automation engineers, began by understanding the design intent to recreate master models.

• Fresh master models for washroom cubicles and panels were developed for use in generative method modeling. This approach allowed for the addition of the required number of cubicles, tailored to the specific needs of the end customer.
• Logical rules were written to facilitate customization of the master models.
• A robust SQL database was developed to store and retrieve design data, thereby generating models and drawings in the background.
• An interactive UI was designed to fetch data from the database and display real-time 2D and 3D views of the washroom.
• Provisions were made in DriveWorks to create 3D room by sketching layout and configuring/arranging cubicles and panels in 3D room.
• The finalized configurator in DriveWorks Autopilot was shared with the client’s design team, enabling them to view 3D previews of each design.

The system was also built to deliver relevant 2D manufacturing drawings and 3D models, along with sales quotes, once an order was confirmed.