DS-FEB24-PG55_Layout 1 09/02/2024 10:33 Page 1
CAD/SOFTWARE
FEATURE
CAD SOFTWARE OVERCOMES THE CHALLENGES FACED WHEN
DESIGNING ROBUST ELECTRIC TRUCKS OX Delivers is using Onshape software
from PTC during the development of electric trucks that can withstand the developing world’s harshest environments. Here we look into the benefits achieved
I
n the farming industry, dependable transportation can mean the difference between earning enough cash to plant the
next crop or economic disaster as goods rot before ever reaching a buyer. Warwick-based OX Delivers is looking to solve this issue with its purpose-built low-emission electric trucks. Founded in 2020, the automotive start-up
has been dubbed ‘the Uber for global farmers’, with its vehicles offering small rural farmers a highly reliable and cost-effective way to get perishable crops to market on time. The company is currently running a pilot project in Rwanda, offering local businesses a chance to buy space on a truck to move their goods to their customers. Feedback from the drivers and users in
this trial is being sent back to OX Deliver’s engineering team in Leamington Spa, who will use that data to create a vehicle that is robust, environmentally friendly, and delivers a positive ergonomic experience for the user.
DESIGNING PRODUCTS FASTER
According to Kristiana Hamilton, engineer at OX Delivers, the company is still at the development phase as it moves to create a unique low- emission truck that is fit for purpose and can be easily assembled overseas. OX Delivers has therefore chosen PTC’s Onshape software. Onshape, a cloud-native CAD tool with built-in
PDM, helps companies design better products faster, eliminates bottlenecks earlier and streamlines collaboration – all while giving users the freedom to work from any device. Commenting on the benefits, Hamilton said:
“Adopting Onshape as our core design platform has been a gamechanger for the team. It’s intuitive, easy-to-use, and the ability to iterate in real time has cut lead times and ensures we can meet our ‘sprint’ strategy on new designs.” Being a small engineering unit, they often
work across different areas of the vehicle. “Clarity of information, plus the ability to do basic simulation, can eliminate any costly modifications quickly, and we can easily add in on-the-ground feedback to our modelling,” explained Hamilton. The company is currently working on the
chassis for the next vehicle iteration, which will see it move from a front wheel drive to a rear wheel drive, a necessary change for the Rwandan market. This work takes place alongside other ‘sprints’ to develop a more driver-friendly cab and to refine the suspension so the vehicle can withstand dirt track roads, verges, and steep hills. Being able to collaborate when using Onshape
is a huge benefit for OX Delivers. The team is now using custom features (designed by other Onshape users) to add more functionality and to create physical models for testing. “We work with a very close-knit supply chain,
including the likes of Potenza, Penso, and Dana Incorporated. Collaborating on the design of the chassis with Penso means we need them to have access to our drawings and to be able to access our platform,” explained Hamilton. “Onshape makes this easy to achieve, with the sharing of information sent securely in the cloud. Furthermore, as we get closer to the final OX Truck, we’ll be able to use its built-in PDM capability to manage the growing bill of materials.
“Onshape, a
cloud-native CAD tool with built-in
PDM, helps companies design better
products faster” OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
“OX Delivers is transforming the way emerging countries transport goods, delivering better lives and opportunities for local people,” commented Jon Hirschtick, EVP at PTC. “It is another fantastic UK innovation on a global scale, and we are delighted that OX Delivers is utilising Onshape to overcome some of the natural design challenges that occur when you are building a bespoke vehicle to deliver sustainable transport in harsh environments.”
PTC
www.ptc.com
FEBRUARY 2024 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 55
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
