Electronics / Garmin International, Inc.

The Challenge

Garmin International Inc. pioneered the consumer handheld Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) market by introducing the very first handheld consumer GPS system. When the company found itself facing an onslaught of competitors, Garmin engineers decided to upgrade its 2D system to a 3D solid modeling environment developing innovative, aesthetically-pleasing GPS product designs to differentiate the company’s products in an increasingly competitive market.

The Solution
The company selected SolidWorks software because of its ease of use, Windows®-compliant interface, versatility, compatibility with complementary engineering applications, sophisticated surfacing and geometric modeling capabilities, and value. By deploying SolidWorks, Garmin has reduced its design cycle by 50 percent, improved the aesthetics of its products, has cut two-to-three weeks from tooling development, and has achieved a leadership position in the GPS consumer market.

Summary and Metrics:

• Reduced design cycles by 50%
• Improved product aesthetics
• Cut 2 to 3 weeks from tooling development
• Achieved leadership position in GPS consumer market

"SolidWorks has given our new concept development team a tremendous boost. We no longer have to fool around with a fillet here or a cut there and can push the envelope on geometric shapes and surfacing. SolidWorks enabled us to go from bulky to sophisticated product designs very quickly and has played a major role in contributing to our success."
John Whiteside, Senior Mechanical Engineer

Case Studies

• Electronics / Garmin International, Inc.
• Heavy equipment / Vermeer Machinery Company
• Design & Engineering / Watershot, Inc.
• Machinery / Hartness International
• Sheet Metal / Sub-Zero Freezer Company
• Consumer Products / Trek Bicycles, Inc.
• Mold Tool Die / JK Mold Design
• Swagelok
• Invacare Corporation
• Werner Ladders
• Simonton Windows
• Whirley Industries