INTERCONNECTS
Ford Leads the Way in Automotive with Advanced Modeling Software
ICEM, a global leader in surface modeling, surface model validation and design visualization software has today announced that Ford Motor Company has made a significant purchase of its ICEM Shape Design ("ISD") software as part of its global C3P NG strategy. This purchase will provide Ford with a best-in-class automotive Class-A surface modeling and design visualization solution that is fully integrated into its enterprise-wide, PLM environment. As it is developed on the CAA V5 software architecture used for Catia V5, it will enable Ford designers and engineers to use native Catia V5 data throughout the entire vehicle body and interior design product development process, with no need for data translation. 
The purchase of ISD by Ford Motor Company is a complement to its current use of ICEM Surf software suite, used by Ford for many years, giving the company considerable expertise in the use of advanced surface modeling software. The introduction of ISD will now leverage this experience and help the company in its efforts to drive down development costs and improve time-to-market for new vehicles. The inclusion of ISD in Ford's product development strategy provides 100% data visibility across all disciplines, ensuring data integrity and enabling processes to begin earlier, and to be run concurrently. ISD will be a key driver in reducing lead times and in process improvement at the origin of data phase. The CAA V5 based solution will provide Ford with seamless integration into it's body engineering and tooling departments, whilst taking advantage of the productivity gains of parametric and feature-based modeling offered for the first time in the Class A surfacing domain. "This solution will bring real benefits in terms of data integrity and consistency, as well as in terms of an improved workflow for Ford Motor Company," noted Michael Check, ICEM Inc., General Manager.
The purchase of ISD by Ford Motor Company is a complement to its current use of ICEM Surf software suite, used by Ford for many years, giving the company considerable expertise in the use of advanced surface modeling software. The introduction of ISD will now leverage this experience and help the company in its efforts to drive down development costs and improve time-to-market for new vehicles. The inclusion of ISD in Ford's product development strategy provides 100% data visibility across all disciplines, ensuring data integrity and enabling processes to begin earlier, and to be run concurrently. ISD will be a key driver in reducing lead times and in process improvement at the origin of data phase. The CAA V5 based solution will provide Ford with seamless integration into it's body engineering and tooling departments, whilst taking advantage of the productivity gains of parametric and feature-based modeling offered for the first time in the Class A surfacing domain. "This solution will bring real benefits in terms of data integrity and consistency, as well as in terms of an improved workflow for Ford Motor Company," noted Michael Check, ICEM Inc., General Manager.