Dodman’s Success with QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS in Food Machinery Engineering – Case Study

Innovation in Food Machinery Engineering with QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS (known as Mesh2Surface)

Company Overview:

As a family run business, Dodman pride themselves in providing their customers with flexible, efficient and innovative solutions to meet the full range of food processing and Food Machinery Engineering needs, from a stand-alone conveyor to fully automated processing lines. As acknowledged market leaders, they are continually looking ahead, planning to meet the needs of the future through active research and development.

Dodman Ltd are proud to support the manufacture of some of the UK’s favourite brands.

Each Food Machinery Engineering project presents a unique challenge, from feeding stuffing mix into a sandwich to testing the tenderness of fresh peas. Beyond making the equipment efficient in its operation, Dodman ensures that the design is safe and easily accessible for hygiene, an important factor for equipment within the Food industry.

The Evolution of Food Machinery Engineering at Dodman:

Andrew Chase, a key team member at Dodman, began his career as an apprentice design draftsman in the 1990s. Over the years, technology has dramatically evolved. Metal cutting, once done by hand, is now executed with laser cutters, offering greater precision and ease. The introduction of 3D scanning has been another game-changer, revolutionising the way Dodman approaches design and manufacturing.

Andrew’s team consists of multiple design engineers who oversee the entire process—from site surveys to designing concepts, managing manufacturing, and installation. While Dodman primarily serves the UK market, they also have a significant European export business. Their specialisation in bespoke solutions sets them apart from other providers.

Site scan original

Integrating Mesh2Surface:

Dodman’s adoption of Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) came alongside the integration of 3D scanning into their operations. Recognising the potential benefits of incorporating a professional-grade reverse engineering (RE) solution into their process, Dodman carefully evaluated various options before choosing the Artec Leo scanner and Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) software. The Artec Leo’s ability to operate standalone, without the need for a connected laptop, was particularly advantageous for use in the food industry. Patrick Thorn, the supplier of Artec 3D scanners, expertly demonstrated the advanced capabilities of  Mesh2Surface, which seamlessly integrates with SOLIDWORKS—Dodman’s preferred CAD software. 

Andrew and his team appreciated that Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) is built to run directly inside SOLIDWORKS, eliminating the need to switch between different software environments when completing a reverse engineering task. They also found that Mesh2Surface ( QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) was better able to handle very large and dense 3D data than other SOLIDWORKS plugin software options, some of which proved laggy and prone to crash. After a year of evaluation, Dodman was so convinced of the solution that they invested in nine licences of QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS, a testament to their confidence in the software.

A New Standard in Reverse Engineering:

Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) has become an integral part of Dodman’s workflow, enabling them to tackle projects that would have been impossible with traditional methods. The software provides numerous tools that add significant value to the reverse engineering process. For example, when physical access limitations allowed only partial scanning, Dodman successfully reconstructed a large tank structure after scanning only 20% of its surface.

The software’s ease of learning offered another major advantage. One of Dodman’s engineers, who lacked formal SOLIDWORKS training, largely self-learned the software using the provided tutorials, demonstrating its user-friendly design.

Site scan original with texture

Case Example: Reverse Engineering a Glatt Mobile Vessel

Dodman’s team worked on a project involving the reverse engineering of a Glatt mobile vessel for a pharmaceutical production line. The original vessel, approximately 10-15 years old, neared the end of its life, and the production line required a direct replacement to continue operating. Since the vessel was still in use, the team had limited access to the part, typically less than 24 hours.

Without CAD data available, Dodman encountered a significant challenge. Traditional methods for measuring such vessels involved using tape measures and cardboard templates, which proved time-consuming and often required multiple visits due to the machine’s limited downtime. However, by utilizing 3D scanning and Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS), the team completed the capture process within a few hours on-site and finished the reverse engineering to CAD in just a couple of days.

Dodman’s customers have recognized the speed and accuracy of this process, with some no longer accepting the traditional approach using cardboard and tape measures. The scanning process captures every detail, enabling design changes later without needing additional site visits. It also reduces the risk of errors that commonly occur with manual measurements.

Mesh2surface 3D scan

The Dodman Approach:

Dodman’s team understands that scanning is just the beginning. The real engineering work involves transforming the scanned data into manufacturable designs. While QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS tools streamline this process, it still requires an engineering mindset and a thorough understanding of sheet metal fabrication. The team ensures that all designs are practical and can be built using the available plant and materials.

The Benefits of Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS):

Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) has enabled Dodman to tackle complex projects that would have previously been unfeasible. For example, they successfully scanned and recreated a potato dicer, which required fitting a new machine into the exact space of the old one, with very tight tolerances to ensure operator safety. The finished dicer was millimetre-perfect, slotting precisely into the space of the original it replaced.

Final CAD Model

The software’s ability to handle large data sets without slowing down has been a significant asset, allowing Dodman to scan entire factory sections and incorporate them seamlessly into their designs.

Professional reverse engineering is not just about creating assets in a generic CAD format. From a manufacturing perspective, the end result should be a bill of materials.

As Andrew explained, “It’s not enough to draw simple tubes to represent pipework/hollow section, it has to be drawn to a pipework standard, or, for example, using standard pieces of box section that can be sourced and manufactured.

New Dicer site

Summary of Business Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Data Capture: Scanning starts the process and captures all details, making it easier to accommodate design changes later.
  • Reduced On-Site Time: Man hours on-site are significantly reduced, with less risk of unintentional errors.
  • Essential Reverse Engineering Tools: While the scanner is crucial, the RE tools in Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) are what complete the process of creating manufacturable CAD.
  • Outstanding Support: The support provided by the KVS Mesh2Surface/QUICKSURFACE team has been exceptional, helping Dodman maximise the software’s potential and contributing to continuous product improvements.

In conclusion:

Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) has become an indispensable tool for Dodman, enabling them to maintain their competitive edge in the bespoke food machinery industry. The combination of 3D scanning and Mesh2Surface (QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS) has redefined their workflow, allowing them to deliver precise, reliable, and innovative solutions to their clients.

Explore more about how QUICKSURFACE can transform your reverse engineering process. Visit our website or contact our team for a demonstration today!www. quicksurface.com

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