SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), has named Tolar Manufacturing (Tolar) — a manufacturer of transit shelters, street furniture and advertising kiosks — as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for January 2012. Tolar was recognized for its use of Autodesk software in creating custom products tailored to the needs of municipalities throughout North America.
Tolar offers more than 500 shelter types within the company’s four main product lines, each designed and engineered to be long-lasting, attractive and environmentally friendly. This includes complying with a wide range of building code requirements across North America and community design requirements from economical transit shelters to high volume bus rapid transit facilities. Tolar client expectations for purpose- driven design range from hurricane-resistant bus shelters for Florida communities to solar-powered transit displays for agencies in California.
“We recognize the need to design shelters specifically for today’s urban environments, and Autodesk Product Design Suite definitely helps us do that more efficiently,” said Patrick Merrick, executive vice president of Tolar. “We estimate that we’ve been able to improve our overall efficiency by 20 to 25 percent, thanks in large part to Autodesk software.”
Digital Models Streamline Operations
Working with Autodesk Gold Partner KETIV Technologies, Tolar has significantly expanded its Digital Prototyping portfolio in recent years and now relies on Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Inventor Publisher, Autodesk Showcase and Autodesk Vault software.
On a typical project, Tolar begins by creating 3D models of the proposed shelter using Inventor software. To further communicate design intent to customers, Tolar can create a near-photorealistic image of the model in Showcase software, and then superimpose it over an actual streetscape from the customer’s town, enabling customers to see exactly what Tolar’s product will look like when installed in the community.
Next, the Inventor manufacturing models are used to fabricate the multiple components that make up the shelter. These models provide clear, concise and comprehensive communications, resulting in fewer errors on the shop floor.
Additionally, Tolar uses Vault software to centrally store and manage its digital data, making it easier for the company to access and reuse drawings of specific parts for multiple projects rather than having to start each time from scratch — significantly reducing project turnaround time. Tolar also uses Inventor Publisher software to create installation instructions for customers.
“Tolar Manufacturing is gaining a powerful advantage across all aspects of its operations with Digital Prototyping,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Design, Lifecycle and Simulation at Autodesk. “With Autodesk software, the company is able to take its existing creative design processes and world-class manufacturing standards and make them even stronger.”
About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.
About Tolar Manufacturing
Founded in 1991, Tolar Manufacturing Company, Inc., designs and fabricates best-in-class bus shelters, street furniture and display structures. The company operates a 55,000 square-foot company-owned modern structure in Corona, Calif., that serves as its corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility. For additional information, visit www.tolarmfg.com.
About KETIV Technologies
KETIV Technologies is a leading Autodesk solutions provider with 25 years’ experience delivering CAD software and services in California, Arizona and Nevada. Focused on the manufacturing, civil engineering and process plant industries, KETIV’s team of industry experts increase the profitability of engineering companies by helping them simplify the process of conceptualization, design and production. For additional information, visit www.ketiv.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Editorial Note: An interview with Tolar Manufacturing is available on the Autodesk YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoLchEj7m2Q.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor and Showcase are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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