Reducing Truck Load Body Costs: A Case Study on VR Steel
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Virtual & Augmented Reality Software
- Wearables - Virtual Reality Glasses, Headsets & Controllers
Applicable Industries
- Metals
- Mining
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
- Virtual Reality
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
- Testing & Certification
About The Customer
VR Steel (Pty) Ltd is a company that specializes in designing, building, and repairing fabricated mining equipment attachments, including truck load bodies. The company is committed to innovation and continuously seeks ways to improve its products and services. VR Steel values efficiency and cost-effectiveness, striving to reduce prototyping costs and streamline the design process. The company also places a high priority on customer satisfaction, aiming to provide products that not only meet but exceed customer expectations in terms of performance, durability, and operating costs.
The Challenge
VR Steel (Pty) Ltd, a company that designs, builds, and repairs fabricated mining equipment attachments, including truck load bodies, was faced with a significant challenge. The company aimed to reduce the mass of a truck load body while maintaining its structural integrity and increasing its performance. The challenge was not only to streamline the design process but also to reduce prototyping costs. VR Steel needed a simulation tool that could help them achieve these goals. Their customers also demanded proof that the new design would unload more quickly, lower operating costs, and withstand heavy use. The challenge was to find a solution that could meet all these requirements while also providing a competitive edge in the market.
The Solution
VR Steel turned to Altair EDEM™ virtual prototypes to address their challenge. The engineers at VR Steel imported 3D CAD models of the new load body design and generated EDEM material models of various media for testing. Using EDEM simulations as virtual prototypes, they were able to simulate the loading and unloading patterns of both the conventional load body and their new, lighter design. EDEM provided a virtual environment for conducting 100% repeatable tests with a variety of materials, all at a fraction of traditional physical prototyping and testing costs. This solution not only helped VR Steel meet their design goals but also gave them a distinct market advantage by enabling them to quickly design and test a new load body that outperforms competitor designs.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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