Testimonials from SolidWorks Users / NT CADCAM Limited Customers

Hired for Sir Alan Sugar’s “The Apprentice”, as shown on BBC TV…
Our design team is time-served and comes from a diverse range of industries. I consider their preference for SolidWorks and valued communication with NT CADCAM Ltd to be as strong a recommendation it can get!
Peter Rickett, Co-founder and Director of Designworks Windsor Ltd
“NT CADCAM Ltd’s Support Team have helped us on countless occasions. Their response has been consistently quick, constructive and effective in its solution.
We have also benefited from their training for specialist SolidWorks functions like PhotoWorks, and their Webinars are also an excellent source of information. The support we get from NT CADCAM Ltd and the fact that SolidWorks is so intuitive to use are the key reasons for our 3D CAD selection and arrangement.”
“NT CADCAM Ltd’s Support Team have helped us on countless occasions. Their response has been consistently quick, constructive and effective in its solution. We have also benefited from their training for specialist SolidWorks functions like PhotoWorks, and their Webinars are also an excellent source of information. The support we get from NT CADCAM Ltd and the fact that SolidWorks is so intuitive to use are the key reasons for our 3D CAD selection and arrangement.”
Karen Brown, Design and Technical Manager for Salter
Flybe joins forces with NT CADCAM Ltd for SolidWorks 3D computer-aided design… Flybe, one of Europe’s largest Aviation Service providers HQ is at Exeter International Airport. Their Airworthiness Manager explains why they purchased three seats of SolidWorks for their 3D computer-aided design system.

“We have the skills and facilities to undertake aircraft modification for all carriers. Typical design work ranges from minor modifications, like instillation of new equipment and cabin layout changes, to major projects involving the conversion of an aircraft’s use from passengers to freight.

Whilst Catia is a benchmark in the aeronautical industry, it’s horrendously expensive and over-sophisticated for the modification work we carry out here at Exeter. After reviewing the established 3D computer-aided design software available on the market today, our designers voted for SolidWorks.

Relatively quick, with simple control inputs, easy conversion of existing files- AutoCAD, MicroStation, Catia and flexibility of licence agreements for multi-users, we were convinced SolidWorks was the best choice.

Initial selection of a SolidWorks value-added reseller was conducted straight off the internet. NT CADCAM Ltd’s salesmen were informative and provided us with a competitive price and supporting package. Subsequently, NT CADCAM Ltd has met all our needs and we have confidence in them as a company”

NT CADCAM Ltd has always provided fast and effective assistance. Their staff are easy and pleasant to talk to and the information they provide is clear and constructive.

We have recently purchased our first seat of SolidWorks Office Professional. The sales representative (Matt Toon) has been very helpful both before and after the installation. Their helpline has made our adoption of SolidWorks very straight forward, helping us to understand new features of the 2007 issue and ensuring our hardware configuration was suitable. All queries were answered very promptly.

We look forward to expanding our design capabilities with further SolidWorks seats, with the continued and trusted support of NT CADCAM Ltd’s personnel.

It’s going to be good to be a customer of NT CADCAM Ltd Why? Because the team at NT CADCAM Ltd know what service is! They have been very helpful and knowledgeable, patiently understanding our requirements and helping us to establish a clear picture of how SolidWorks will function within our organisation, what training will be required, and how much it will all cost.

We are confident we have a full understanding of our purchase and every confidence that NT CADCAM Ltd can deliver the services and support that we will require.

Hdi Ltd design and supply modern, sophisticated, retail display stands for products, ranging from power tools to pet foods. Stephen Andrews, Design Manager, says “Even though I had used Inventor with my previous employer, when I had the choice I purchased SolidWorks Professional, with its superior PhotoWorks rendering software and ease of use.”

Stephen also prepares SolidWorks presentations for the sales team on a weekly basis and Hdi Ltd believe that the quality of the visual 3D images is contributing significantly to their sales success.

Communication with manufacturing suppliers is also greatly improved: commonly, steel fabricators use SolidWorks and prefer to work direct from 3D models, so the need to produce detailed drawings and to convert file formats has been eliminated.

Stephen says, “Initially, I viewed SolidWorks at Huddersfield University and even though this was about seven years ago I was able to use some of the most advanced features SolidWorks has to offer relatively easily- and when help was needed the NT CADCAM Ltd hot line provided the answers accurately and quickly.”

Articulate product loading and unloading systems, and secure transportation for road hauliers, has become significantly more scientific and productive since Don Bur Bodies and Trailers Ltd adopted a 3D SolidWorks CAD system supplied by NT CADCAM Ltd.

Conceptual assumptions that had to be made when viewing 2D engineering drawings are eliminated, and the designer and customer now talk on equal terms when viewing proposals in 3D and help each other develop better designs.

SolidWorks is intuitive to use and utilising tools like “DriveWorks” means modular options and components can be adopted and developed across diverse haulage requirements; reducing design time and manufacturing costs, and ensuring Don-Bur Bodies and Trailers Ltd are always competitive and provide the best-value bespoke solutions for its customers.

We chose NT CADCAM Ltd as our SolidWorks supplier and as our support company because they provided the best total package.

Through NTCADCAM Ltd we have invested in 8 seats of SolidWorks, and are capable of using these to their full potential, thanks to their excellent training courses and the availability of their responsive and knowledgeable support line if required.

NT CADCAM have been Glenair UK Ltd’s VAR for 4 years now, throughout that period they have helped us expand from a small, largely standalone system to one of the largest integrated installations in this region, and certainly the largest of its type in our industry sector.

During that period NTCADCAM have successfully fought off several competitive bids from their industry peers, and as costs were largely comparative, their value added contribution was a significant factor on every occasion.

This should be coupled with the fact that one of Glenair UK Ltd’s unique features is the level of integrated engineering support we can offer our customers; as such we actively maintain seats of AutoCAD and Pro/E (as well as several electronic and cabling packages). SolidWorks (via NTCADCAM) has therefore got direct internal competition. It is a testament to NTCADCAM’s support that SolidWorks has emerged as Glenair UK Ltd’s primary CAD and drawing / engineering data management system.

“[regarding the revised support page and online support call logging system] This is a definite improvement to a support service which is already pretty good. The only downside to the current system is that the Support Engineers are so keen I can get two of them ringing me up within minutes of each other. As a customer of 10 years, the support service has drastically improved over the years; the new online method I feel will be a great enhancement”

Designing and installing Europe’s largest carrot sorting and packing house - which covers over three hectares of floor space and consists of approximately 80,000 components - means we have tested SolidWorks and NT CADCAM to the full. Throughout the project, the support we received from NT CADCAM was vital to its success.

Their excellent training ensured all our engineers were able to quickly utilise the benefits of SolidWorks Office Professional and Premium and we now have a total of eight seats with three more purchased but not implemented yet. The scale and complexity of our projects means there are times when we spend a considerable amount of time in contact with NT CADCAM’s technical hotline. The service is consistently prompt, knowledgeable and professional.

We know we can count on NT CADCAM’s support to help us continue expanding our engineering capabilities which underpin our position as one of Europe’s leading fresh vegetable grading and packing equipment manufactures.

Matt Hunter, Engineering Manager
RJ Herbert Ltd

Craig Gready, Director
Craig Gready Associates

“We chose NT CADCAM when we set up our company in 2001. We had no reason to look any further than NT [CADCAM] as the service we had received whilst at our previous company was excellent”.

I teach on the Product design BA (hons) course at Ravensbourne and they have seats of Inventor there. In my opinion, even at such an early stage, this software does not come close to offering the levels of productivity found with SolidWorks. To this end Ravensbourne are considering upgrading their entire CAD suit to SolidWorks on my recommendation”.

We chose NT CADCAM as our supplier for SolidWorks because their help in selecting the right package was faultless. They were professional; all the detailed information we requested was quickly supplied; and we found them friendly to do business with.

Originally, we had a 2D AutoCad drawing system. Now SolidWorks Professional 3D design software has enabled us to speed up our design process significantly. We also find our software is standardised with our clients and suppliers and so communication and business are already benefiting from our purchase of SolidWorks.

Thanks to NT CADCAM’s training our engineers adopt the new technology within weeks. We are now prototyping and checking assemblies for clash detection on screen before committing to metal and already we have new designs ready for market. The time saved and increased potential sales revenue certainly makes SolidWorks and NT CADCAM services excellent value for money and a best buy.

The SpacePilot was easily integrated into our CAD studio. It offers high precision, intuitive control and speedy orientation of models. The preprogrammed buttons increase operator efficiency and other functionality can be created. We have found it invaluable with SolidWorks.

Since installing the Space Traveler I have found that with practice comes a definite speed improvement in particular when selecting mating faces in assemblies. The programmable buttons are a useful bonus.

Cadpo Terence Woodgate.

Cadpo is an excellent training programme, you use it whenever you want, at your own pace and time. The amount of SolidWorks and industry-focused courses was a real bonus, everything I need to know to be a confident user of SolidWorks.

The freedom to learn at any time of day and being able to analyse your results to monitor your progress as you work is a key tool for learning.

Justin James, Design Engineer
Cooper Standard Automotive Maesteg Division

Joe Brierley, Senior Designer
Super Tramp Ltd

Matt Horsup, Design Manager
Minima

Peter Daniel, Design Manager
the Rooflight Company

INBIS Group http://www.inbis.com/ is a comprehensive engineering design and management consultancy which is one of the largest providers of independent design and engineering support services in Europe.

Inbis specialise in the Aerostructures, Gas Turbines, Nuclear and Manufacturing Automation sectors supported by expertise in NC Programming, Jig and Tool Design and Production Planning.

Inbis employ 13 floating SolidWorks Office Professional licenses as well as SolidWorks Simulation designer. As a consultancy they are forced to retain a number of CAD packages to enable them to communicate in native format with their customers. This number of alternative packages has dwindled in recent years as they now use SolidWorks as their main CAD platform and employ alternative packages purely as communication tools.

Bob Hemmings, Chief Engineer, estimates SolidWorks to be at least 20% more productive than Unigraphics.

Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon are a 150 year old engineering company based in Kendal, Cumbria. http://www.gilkes.com/corporate.htm Gilkes are designers and manufacturers of hydro-electric turbines and ancillary equipment in the output power range of 100Kw to 20Mw.

Gilkes currently employ SolidWorks, AutoCAD and Pro-Engineer spread over their 14 CAD engineers and are currently increasing the SolidWorks compliment due to its outstanding performance.

Andrew Conner, Design Manager - Pumps, is confident that SolidWorks is 50% more productive than Pro-Engineer within 3 months of purchasing the software.

Peter Brotherhood Ltd has been providing engineering solutions for over 130 years. The company combines world-class skills in design and manufacture with real practical experience to provide technically sound and cost-effective engineering. Peter Brotherhood’s expertise covers a wide range of industries and the company has equipment operating over 100 countries around the world.

Peter Brotherhood has employed Unigraphics for longer than SolidWorks has been on sales in the UK. However, during a recent meeting David R Cox, engineering Director of Peter Brotherhood stated that “there will be no further expenditure on UG in the future and all CAD expenditure will be SolidWorks focussed”.

Brian Waterland, Manager Engineered Products, states that “if SolidWorks had existed at the time of Peter Brotherhood’s UG purchase they would never have bought Unigraphics”

Smiths Aerospace were one of the early adopters of SolidWorks in the UK and have since become the UK’s single largest user employing over 80 licenses across a number of sites. Prior to their SolidWorks adoption Smiths were users of Unigraphics and so convinced were they that SolidWorks was the right choice that even the offer of free SolidEdge software didn’t dissuade them from their investment.

Morgan Jones, CAD Administrator of the Arle Court site stated that: “SolidWorks was at least 20% more productive than Unigraphics”

Weir Pumps are Scotland’s largest engineering company. Currently employing around 50 SolidWorks licenses and supported by NTCADCAM they far exceeded their ROI targets for their SolidWorks investment.

• 35% weight reduction against a projected saving of 28%
• 75% assembly time reduction against a projected 25%
• 28% reduced number of components against a projected 28%
• 47% variable cost reduction against a projected 40%

Formed in 1952, WDS is the UK's largest manufacturer of standard parts for use in jigs and fixtures, machine tools, production equipment and consumer products. To save its customers time, money and effort, WDS has put 10,000 parts on line as 3D CAD files for customers to download direct to their CAD systems. The solution from NT Cadcam is thought to be a UK first and saves customers having to design parts from scratch and so speeds design times.

AP Racing design high performance clutch and brake assemblies for many high profile customers, such as Formula 1 racing teams, hence excellence in design is key to their success.

Nick Mennell, Engineering Director explains "Any design tools we use need to be serious systems that are fast, accurate and reliable. In selecting a support company, it was very important to us that the supplier really knew about design and analysis, as so many CAD vendors know how to drive the software, but can't add value beyond how to model geometry.”

“I have been an NTCADCAM customer since 1997 working for a number of different organisations. In that time I found NTCADCAM's unique Account Management strategy of considerable value added benefit. The single point of contact they provide ensures that issues are resolved promptly, and this combined with their extensive Engineering knowledge gives me total confidence in their ability to meet my future needs.”

“Triton Showers Plc, chose NT CADCAM, as its CAD vendor because NTCADCAM offered a no nonsense sales approach, i.e. Triton approached several SolidWorks vendors, of which NTCADCAM were the only vendor that did not bombard Triton with hard hitting sales techniques. NTCADCAM also promised a high level of both hardware and software support (on SolidWorks), which they have certainly fulfilled and on several occasions surpassed, to date. When implementing SolidWorks 2000, NTCADCAM provided on site support both to configure workstations and software a like, this proved invaluable as Triton had been running a Unix based platform.

NTCADCAM offer a thoroughly professional service, weather you are dealing with your appointed Account manager, support engineer or the friendly secretary. I would recommend NTCADCAM to anyone considering moving to SolidWorks.”

“I have dealt with NTCADCAM for the best part of eight years. This association has been of great benefit to both myself and the three companies where I have worked. Their attitude, their support and guidance and their willingness to share a wealth of experience makes them unique in the industry.”

“NTCADCAM have retained the support that helps to give the confidence to take on design consultancy work and have always endeavored to solve any issues or problems quickly and efficiently.”

“NTCADCAM have always been the supplier and support for the SolidWorks packages I have used and any problems I or my colleagues have encountered have been dealt with promptly. I have recently, along with two other gentlemen set up our own new business and we did not hesitate in contacting NTCADCAM to help us bring SolidWorks in as our CAD software not only because of the software but also because of the friendly and helpful attitude of the software supplier.”

“NT CADCAM made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that the change-over ran smoothly and appropriate training took place. Having attended seminars and training courses along with the continued development of SolidWorks leaves me with one final note.

"Kingstown made the right decision both with software and supplier" ,great product, great support, great decision..... “

“Just a quick thank you for the help you and your technical helpline personnel @ NT CADCAM have provided Gary and myself over the last few weeks.

With your help Progressive Tool Design took on a large contract with a national trailer manufacturer which has required the remodeling of an 'Ideas' large assembly into SolidWorks. This project did put us into unfamiliar territory as regard to working on large assemblies on a contractual basis. It is with the knowledge of the support NT CAD CAM can provide, and our past experience with SolidWorks that we were able to take on such large projects. We appreciate the quick response NT CADCAM have provided with any queries we have had, as the time scales on these type of jobs are so tight. SolidWorks seems to go from strength to strength and we are pleased we made the correct decision in purchasing 2 seats 4 years ago, as 60% of our business now involves using SolidWorks. We decided to change to NTCADCAM from Solid Solutions as you provide a local facility (Bangor University) to show and demonstrate any new features in SolidWorks. NTCADCAM have been pro-active in advertising our business to future and existing NTCADCAM customers which benefits us both.

We look forward to expanding our relationship with you Paul and NT CADCAM.”

NTCADCAM’s very good customer care has been experienced, which I think is paramount, and has coped well on the technical call centre, adjusting to the very high standards that Solidbase had set. Possibly the simple figures of NT's performance on seat sales is justification itself and not to mention the maintenance contract renewal levels. The use of both modern offices and also informal sites for training and update reviews/demos has made every experience an enjoyable and interesting one.

I certainly, at every opportunity, recommend SolidWorks and NTCADCAM, which has resulted in several companies taking up the use of SolidWorks.