Wild West Motors, outfitter of wicked custom motorcycles, based in San Diego, California, has decided to replace SolidWorks with AutoDesk Inventor. Why? They just so happen to use some other AutoDesk products. Was it a good decision? Is it a column knocked from the SolidWorks cool customer foundation? Read on.
Inventor software’s interoperability with Alias and Showcase means that Wild West has an unbroken digital pipeline for all stages of the design process. Wild West is currently at work on a new high-end motorcycle model, every element of which–from the assembly to the molding–will be accomplished using Autodesk software. TenLinks Press Release
You can read a little more about Wild West’s use of Alias Studio Tools on their Media page – the same page where there’s another article that talks about “…[has] direct modeling capability and the ability to interact with SolidWorks, its mechanical design software… in Alias StudioTools.” I love this industry. Please, keep the drama alive.
Oh, and just to make it more interesting? If your we’re around a couple years ago, or have been to SolidWorks World or their headquarters, you’ll know Orange County Choppers uses SolidWorks to design their custom cycles. I’m thinking a Wild West vs. Orange County knock-down, drag-out “Design and Ride” contest is in order. You?
*Update!!*
We asked Jim Winn, senior partner at Wild West:
How does the inter-program compatibility aid in the design and build process?
“We expect to use the inter-program compatibility in all the software the same way we would use the different tools and experienced people to build a physical prototype. However by using virtual tools we are able to complete the design and prepare for manufacturing much faster. Plus, once the virtual model is ready, we can present it to new dealers and customers anywhere in the world for review by Internet.
Maybe not a whole lot of insight into going from Alias to Inventor, but of course the virtual model will help each stage. We also received some renderings of their Durego line of motorcycles. If you want a different bike, this is 120 HP of different.
