Halcon Corporation Success Story
Integrated Product Data Management and 3D CAD Software Increased Productivity and Widespread Efficiencies at Halcon
Challenge
Migration to new engineering system and increase productivity
Solution
Integrated product life cycle management software to optimize design collaboration, enhance enterprise knowledge-sharing, and accelerate product
development
Benefits
- Reduced time-to-market
- Standardized work methods to facilitate collaboration and synergy across the company
- Reduced bottlenecks that increase productivity through streamlining processes
Halcon looked at a wide range of solutions and vendors, spent a year evaluating software, and ultimately chose Alignex to implement SolidWorks. "SolidWorks was the most intuitive CAD software, and Alignex was chosen because of their enthusiasm, technical expertise, and role of business partner throughout the process," said Davis. "From the beginning Alignex was very engaged and interested in solving the problem and not just selling software. Their focus was making Halcon more efficient, and it worked."
Streamlined Processes through Product Life Cycle Management
The next issue Halcon needed to address was data management. They needed an interface that would manage every step from the order coming in to the order shipping out. During the order process, communication needed to happen between manufacturing, order entry, purchasing, etc. Due to the highly customizable environment in which Halcon worked, Alignex recommended SmarTeam as a result of its extremely flexible and customizable data management software.
The many document management systems available on the market today have one thing in common: they can just handle documentation. PLM technology on the other hand provides the opportunity for a more visionary work methodology: the product that the business manufactures is positioned in center and is surrounded by people and processes. All product information and all processes are governed by rules and mechanisms that create efficiency across the enterprise. SmarTeam PLM System enables companies to gain total control over information surrounding their products during their complete life cycle. The management of important data (documents, projects, items, flows, etc.) is simplified.
Increased Productivity through Improved Output and Reduced Staff
Major improvements were seen in Halcon's productivity following the implementation of the Alignex solution, along with system wide efficiencies.
"After the implementation of SmarTeam and SolidWorks, we were able to reduce staff by 50% and improve output by at least that much," said Davis. "We went from nineteen drafters with our old CAD system, down to eight with SolidWorks."
Halcon was able to streamline SmarTeam with automatic BOM creation. "This feature improved searching paths as well as the productivity of the process and users, " said Davis.
Alignex Demonstrates Measureable Results
Since implementing SmarTeam and SolidWorks with Alignex, output at Halcon has doubled and the number of drafters needed was cut in half. Alignex also enables the Halcon team to streamline their processes which increases efficiencies and quality on both the engineering side and the manufacturing end.
"The Alignex project with the SmarTeam integration not only improved productivity from an engineering standpoint, but it has helped with manufacturing efficiencies," said Davis. "Halcon integrates information from the manufacturing system into the engineering system and vice versa, improving overall quality."
Halcon was founded in 1977 and is now an independent subsidiary of Teknion Company. Since the '70s Halcon has been a leading source for quality contract office furnishings, and their products are designed by internationally reknowned designers. Halcon is most widely known for their innovative designs and quality furniture.
All manufacturing takes place in the 150,000 square foot plant located in Stewartville, Minnesota. With leading edge manufacturing technology, and their current 2D CAD software becoming obsolete, Halcon needed to partner with a solution that would sustain their reputation of quality and innovation while increasing productivity. "We first needed to make a decision between 2D and 3D," said Alex Davis, Senior Engineer for Halcon. "At the time we chose 3D to be more progressive, and we knew in the long run 3D would be more beneficial to our business. It was imperative for the software to be customizable and interface with other systems, while also being easy to use."