Linn Case Study

Linn is an independent company specialising in precision engineered sound and vision systems which range in price from £1000 to £1m. Linn designs and manufactures an extensive range of original products, renowned for their performance, and sold around the world.

Unremittingly committed to innovative design and design leadership, Linn believe every process can be improved by human involvement and implement Single Stage Integrated Manufacturing. This means that one person will build, test and pack a product at a fully equipped workstation.

The Single Stage build concept is facilitated by automated materials distribution and computerised robot vehicles which provide product builders with the flexibility to take care over processes which require time, whilst quickly carrying out those operations which are simple.

Integrated Information Systems ensure that information and best practice are shared company-wide. Linn has always been at the forefront of technology and took the strategic decision early on to invest in powerful computing capability. One of the key objectives has been to integrate the different functions in the company and allow the free flow of information.

Linn have redefined their requirements of such a system. It must have the ability to:

• design the part in the system
• test the design using the quickest possible route
• have seamless integration with other CAD systems
• remove duplication of effort
• produce manufacturing data and assembly documentation
• improve promotional capability

"In our view you have to be able to think in the system. The operating procedure must not get in the way of thought and if it can then enhance the thinking process - ideal! We want to use CAD as a design tool both for product design and engineering design - not just a tool to implement a design."

Linn now has 9 seats of SolidWorks from NT CADCAM and the actual mechanical design work is now carried out almost exclusively on SolidWorks. The excellent 3D rendering allows all departments to get involved, as there is no requirement to be able to decipher 2D drawings. The Feature Manager tree allows changes to be made easily - which is vital if you're to improve a design.

The ability to work accurately in 3D allows the design of dense products where space management is critical. The manufacturing process uses IGES data plus sectional details.

Exploded views are produced as a byproduct of the design process - not as an activity in their own right. All design is carried out with virtual parts - this requires accuracy when drawing the parts - but allows far more integrity from the design at an earlier stage.