Creo Customers: Skeletons Key to Large Assemblies for JR Automation

By Geoff Hedges | Published: August 4, 2011

When economists talk about recovery, often they look to entrepreneurs as the next great job creators. That’s why I like the story of JR Automation in Holland, Michigan. It started as a guy in his shed in 1980, and today employs more than 200 people in a 120,000-foot facility near Lake Michigan’s eastern shore.

The company designs and manufactures systems that perform countless tasks–usually integrating sophisticated robotics.  Machines may stamp barcodes on PVC pipe, weld multiple points on dozens of different parts, or produce complex aerospace assemblies. Each project is different, and every client has a unique set of needs, says JR Automation.

That may be why the company keeps more than 60 engineers on staff. It may also be why the company uses Creo Parametric “to the fullest extent.” For example, if a design changes, Creo Parametric makes sure data is automatically propogated downstream and updated in tooling and manufacturing. JR Automation even uses Creo Simulate to analyze and simulate virtual prototypes of its designs. In short, the company manages the entire product lifecycle of its automated lines from concept design to manufacturing.

In this edition of the Product Design Show, you’ll hear about the big picture, that is, JR’s largest and most complex assembly lines. How do multiple engineers work on a single system without stepping on each other’s toes? How do you start a project before every last detail is hammered out? Hint: It’s all done with skeletons (and some excellent file management). Vince and Allison explain ….