Flymo trims development costs with digital design software

“The communication and teamwork throughout the project was excellent … savings of more than £15,000 were made by reducing the number of prototype models alone, and [we] brought the product to market sooner,” says Rick Keyton, industrial designer at Flymo, the European powered lawnmower manufacturer. Flymo’s engineers worked with Guildford-based digital design development services firm, drive, to take lawnmower sketches and foam models and develop them into 3D digital models of the new design. Drive worked with Flymo’s Catia data and integrated it with its ‘Alias’ software digital models. Drive helped Flymo cut the time from initial concept sketch to first off tooling from 12 months to seven months for its Opening Price Point Hover Compact lawnmower. “Sometimes, engineering tools don’t allow the design to remain true to its original concept, however, drive’s experience in creating digital models and photo-realistic images enabled us to maintain the design intent,” says Keyton. Flymo was able to retain complete control over the project as drive’s process ensured continuous interaction between design and production teams. This avoided lengthy meetings and waiting for sign-off by Flymo’s departments, greatly reducing the overall length of the process to production to 13 months.