CAD makes light work of new design

A range of office lighting units owes much to the use of CAD in its design.
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The units have been designed by LAPD (Lighting and Product Design) Consultants for Trilux Lighting in Germany, who wanted to produce a range of products that would allow office lighting designers to conform to the LG7 standard.

LAPD also wanted to get away from simple box shapes to produce a range that would have a better look about it, “Unrestrained by straight lines and inspired by natural shapes and forms”, according to director Simon Fisher, as well as containing product variants including louvers.

The designers generated a number of concept designs in 2D, for evaluation by Trilux Germany and Trilux UK, after which a product design was selected and detailed design on the “Liventy” range commenced.

2D quickly became 3D views using Solid Edge and the form was rendered and manipulated in virtual space for client approval. LG7 required maximising the light output ratio, which was eventually 84 per cent, and use was made of Solid Edge’s ability to exchange data with third party packages to negotiate aspects of the design internationally and reduce the engineering design time scale.

“Solid Edge, coupled with our cornerstone design techniques: Design for Manufacture and Design for Assembly ensure that we question every design decision we make,” Fisher stated, “This helps us to develop products with as few components as possible and makes assembly quick. Furthermore, efficient and virtual tolerance checking means the product is right first time.”

The result is a product range of modular 600mm square luminaries that are innovative and efficient in their manufacture. “LAPD is proud to have collaborated with Trilux and we are delighted with the results,” Fisher concluded, “Thanks to Solid Edge the digital design, engineering and fine tuning of Liventy was swift, accurate and easily conveyed” The software was provided and supported by Solid Edge reseller Cutting Edge Solutions