Forsell Maskin AB – over 250 specialized machines designed in IRONCAD

About Forsell Maskin

For 25 years, Forsell Maskin in Skellefteå has been supporting industry in Västerbotten and far beyond with innovative solutions, from concept and design to manufacturing, documentation, and CE marking. The company has designed over 250 machine builds, both small and large: tools, production equipment, and automation solutions. The machines are manufactured in-house using equipment such as CNC machines, ensuring quality control every step of the way until the finished product.

The Challenge

When a customer asks for help in addressing a need, the process begins with Jörgen Forsell sketching out a proposal in 3D. The concept phase isn’t about drawing up a finished solution, but rather about letting the solution evolve, making changes, and testing several variations. Traditional software requires the user to first come up with the solution—perhaps using pen and paper—and then lock the models in place with constraints. In addition, time frames—and thus costs—must be kept in check for every project.

Why IRONCAD

Forsell Maskin has been using IRONCAD, since the same 3D model can be used from concept to completion. The software requires no locking mechanisms: models can be modified freely and immediately at both the detail level and the assembly level, which is essential for working efficiently on concepts and development. Free, dynamic modeling is the default, and constraints are used only when necessary.

How Forsell Maskin Operates Today

After more than 27,000 hours in the “ IRONCAD ,” Jörgen has developed a hands-on approach that he describes as unbeatable:

• Dragging and dropping ready-made models from catalogs quickly provides a schematic overview to build upon
• Handles on features change the dimensions of one or more 3D models simultaneously
• TriBall is used all the time for positioning and for copying parts, features, and assemblies
• The history tree provides an overview, and lines are drawn between entries when the customer thinks of something new
• Bulk Drawing Creation creates large numbers of 2D drawings at once, with the drawing header and bill of materials updated automatically
• IRONCAD Web Viewer provides customers and suppliers with a web link where they can explore the 3D model on their own

In 27,000 hours, Jörgen has never experienced parts ending up in the wrong place without constraints. Files from colleagues, business partners, and other CAD systems, as well as STEP files for purchased standard components, are modified in the same way as everything else. Over the years, several of his requests have been incorporated into the program.

The result

Over 250 projects have been designed in less time than would have been possible with other solutions. An advanced machine can be modeled in a few hours, and unforeseen changes can be made at any time, even late in the project. In Christmas 2021, an order worth nearly 30 million kronor was received from a U.S. company: transportation solutions for a factory in Los Angeles spanning approximately 60,000 square meters that builds houses indoors. The solution is based on the assembly lines Forsell Maskin delivered to Boklok’s factory in Gullringen.

One key advantage of IRONCAD is that the software does not require locking. Instead, you can freely and directly modify models at both the detail level and the assembly level. I’ve modeled a complex machine in just a few hours, and it’s no problem to make an unexpected change at any time, even late in the project’s final stages.

Jörgen Forsell, Forsell Maskin AB

Forward

The order from Los Angeles confirms that innovative thinking and smart solutions are in demand all over the world. Jörgen continues to strive for fewer mouse clicks through keyboard shortcuts and customizations, and influences the development of IRONCAD with his requests.