Today, CNB is using a variety of PTC software solutions for a comprehensive Product Development System (PDS): Pro/ENGINEER® parametric 3D CAD for design, ProductView™ for digital mock-up (DMU) and visual collaboration between different departments and its European suppliers, Windchill® for content and process management and Arbortext® for technical illustration authoring. Today, PTC software is present everywhere at CNB, from the design stage to manufacturing, including the different engineering cycles. Additionally, in September 2008, CNB will deploy Mathcad®, PTC’s engineering calculations software into the PDS.
Significant Improvement in Product Quality and Customer Satisfaction
CNB sailing boats are uncompromising when it comes to performance, comfort and safety. CNB offers custom-built luxury models ranging in size from 70 to 117 feet that are designed with the combined skills of six or seven different craftsmen, as well as mechanics, plumbers, electricians, marine carpenters, and superstructure specialists. In all, these models are comprised of between 3,000 to 15,000 components. For CNB, the advantage of the PTC PDS is clear. While the number of hours worked in the design office initially increased with the change from 2D to 3D, the end-product has improved significantly in quality and customer satisfaction. Thanks to the digital mockups produced in ProductView, customers can view the progress of the project. As well, data output is now comprehensive and the use of Arbortext has eliminated the problems associated with assembly instructions.
In particular, as a result of using PTC’s PDS as an enterprise PLM system, CNB is able to take advantage of unrivalled CAD/CAM capabilities as well as an integration to its ERP system. This has streamlined the development process and substantially contributed to the development of CNB’s flagship product, The Lagoon 620, a luxurious 62-foot catamaran. The PTC PDS has also enabled CNB to divide the work time of the teams and drive increased efficiency.
“The combination of Pro/ENGINEER and Windchill is undoubtedly the best PLM solution available. Scalable and adaptable, PTC solutions have revolutionized how we work and are ideal in meeting the needs of expanding companies. In 2001, we had 80 employees in the company and today we have more than 500. Our boats win awards each year. With PTC software we can design very high-end products within a minimum allotted time,” says Wilfried Cadiou, head of the Digital Department at CNB. “PTC is also a customer-focused company that takes the time to listen to you. PTC has supported us as we have grown in a true spirit of partnership.”
“CNB sailing vessels navigate in all the seas and oceans of the world and we are proud that our solutions are involved in the design and building of these top-of-the-line products,” says Marc Diouane, divisional vice president, PTC Europe. “And as CNB proves, the PTC Product Development System is perfectly adapted to shipbuilding of all kinds, including specialized leisure vessels. PTC will continue to work very closely with the CNB teams to optimize their product development process and create competitive differentiation in the shipbuilding industry.”
About Construction Navale Bordeaux
Created in 1987, CNB is part of the Bénéteau group, world leader in the construction of sailing yachts and quoted on the Paris Stock Exchange’s second market. Located on the banks of the Garonne River, a few hundred yards from the greatest vineyards, CNB is situated on a 24 000 m2 lot with 12 000 m2 of covered buildings and has a 300 meter waterfront quay with water deep enough for launching and sea trials. With more than 40 prestigious yachts constructed from 20 to 32 meters, CNB has acquired an unfailing reputation for the quality of its construction and the finish of its boats. For more information on Construction Navale de Bordeaux, please visit http://www.cnb.fr.
About PTC
PTC (Nasdaq: PMTC) provides leading product lifecycle management (PLM),
content management, and dynamic publishing solutions to more than 50,000
companies worldwide. PTC customers include the world's most innovative
companies in manufacturing, publishing, services, government and life
sciences industries. PTC is included in the S&P 500 and Russell 2000
indices. For more information on PTC, please visit
http://www.ptc.com .
