GFI Innovations
Ink Formulation Dispensers

GFI Innovations & Graphics Systems Partner to Design
Better Products Using SolidWorks Simulation Software

Summary:
GFI Innovations, Inc. uses SolidWorks Simulation software, teamed with Graphics Systems Corporation, to solve product reliability issues, resulting in better product quality and decreased product development costs.  By testing and diagnosing their product failures in SolidWorks Simulation, GFI saved over ten times the investment they made on the SolidWorks Simulation software and consequently eliminated evident future product failures.

About GFI Innovations, Inc. (GFI):
GFI is the industry leader in ink formulation dispensing.  Their Mx Series technologies allow printers to capitalize on the utility inherent in mechanical automation.  By combining GFI's products, they have essentially created an in-house color lab for offset printers; which in turn permits the printers to detach themselves from relying on the ink manufacturers.  GFI designs their products with a focus on reliability for their customers and the results of this effort have led to significant increases in efficiency and substantial cost savings.

GFI Success Story:
GFI was experiencing field failures with their product's motor shaft and linear-radial bearings due to unbalanced loads and vibration issues at high speeds.  As part of GFI's continuous quality improvement process, GFI approached Graphics Systems Corporation to collaborate on how they could use SolidWorks Simulation design analysis software to solve their issues.  GFI also hoped to proactively indentify problems early in the design phase to eliminate the possibility of future product recalls.

Graphics Systems Corporation and GFI used the SolidWorks Dynamic Motion and FE Structural Analysis studies to identify the field failure problems.  By performing pilot projects with the Graphics Systems design analysis team, GFI was able to simulate the movements of the complex mechanism and easily perform multifaceted studies.  This process allowed GFI to quickly analyze several design functions in a cost conscious manner to identify and solve their failure issues.  This enabled GFI to design a new and improved mechanism resulting in significant noise reduction for the machine that was recognized and appreciated by their customers.  Consequently, GFI's marketing team realized an opportunity to gain market share with this environmental advantage.

In addition to the design engineering advantages; GFI also used SolidWorks Simulation software to generate reports explaining why the upgrade was beneficial for their customers.  GFI customers were impressed with their quality-conscious response and detailed communication; turning a potential problem into a positive customer satisfaction response.

Results:
GFI is committed to providing the best and most cost-effective products on the market.  By using SolidWorks Simulation and 3D CAD software and industry proven best practices, GFI is now able to optimize their designs, while saving money and dramatically reducing product development costs on rework and materials.