Case Study
Safe, reliable products delivered on schedule
GEASS
Using Solid Edge 3D and Femap finite-element analysis software, GEASS optimizes product designs and shrinks development time, while meeting stringent biomedical regulations
Dental implant innovation
GEASS has been working exclusively in the dental implantology market for over twenty years. Located in Udine (northern Italy), and employing approximately fifty people, the company designs and produces dental implants and all that is necessary for their correct use – from surgical tools to the prosthetic parts required to build the tooth over the implant. The dental implant is a sort of screw, which is inserted inside the lower or upper maxillary bone. It acts as a substitute for the root of the natural tooth and as an anchor for the prosthesis.
GEASS is an innovator.
The company’s technical department is in constant collaboration with the medical world, both academic and professional. This collaboration and GEASS’ investments in research and development (R&D) has recently resulted in Synthegra, an innovative surface treatment using special laser technology to obtain perfect control of an implant result in terms of sizes, shape, depth and distribution of porosity. Control of implant topography and the absence of contaminants are key features of Synthegra and essential for the success of an implant treatment. Controlled roughness is a fundamental pre-requisite to optimize interaction between the implant and surrounding tissues. GEASS recently applied Synthegra project findings to an innovative implant line called WAY, the present company flagship. WAY, completely developed with Siemens’ Solid Edge® and Femap® software, is the first implant line to be renowned for the cutting edge treatment.
Bigger, more demanding marketplace
In recent years, not only had the market been growing, but expectations as well, especially in terms of being able to respond more quickly to customers with both answers and product per highly customized requirements. GEASS had been using 2D design for product development and communication with its growing customer base, but felt the time had come to fully leverage the capabilities of 3D technology.
Savings were immediate. Using 3D design allowed the company to address product development issues, saving time from drafting activities. “The acute capturing of data for a product designed in 3D instead of 2D is an unquestionable advantage,” says Paolo Gava, GEASS’s technical office manager. “With Solid Edge, we immediately realized a measurably better response time in meeting our clients’ needs.”
Insight and support through CCSTEAM
Before investing in the Solid Edge CAD solution, GEASS had made a careful assessment of the 3D systems on the market. GEASS selected Solid Edge, because it was assessed to be the best for its business needs, and because it was supported by CCSTEAM, Siemens PLM Partner from Treviso.
From the beginning, CCSTEAM paid special attention to GEASS’s business challenges, making recommendations accordingly. Moreover, CCSTEAM was highly involved throughout implementation, helping to assure a smooth transition from its prior way of doing business to the new digitally based product development solution. “CCSTEAM wasn’t just there to sell us on the Solid Edge solution,” says Gava. “Once we purchased the technology, CCSTEAM was there with excellent support.”
Solid Edge and FEMAP – a combination which stands for warranty
GEASS also chose the Siemens’ Femap pre- and post-processor for advanced engineering finite element analysis.
Gava notes, “We believe in being on the cutting edge in the development of geometry and the analysis of mechanical stresses on that geometry.Our product line demands it. Femap was especially important to GEASS for its tight integration with Solid Edge. Gava explains, “It was a high priority for us that the CAD and FEM systems be directly integrated. Femap has very sophisticated capabilities and at the same time is wholly integrated with Solid Edge.We found no other similar integration. The Solid Edge-Femap complete integration and the fact they both come from the same supplier stands as a warranty for us.”
Reducing physical prototypes
GEASS uses Femap for finite element analysis, enabling evaluation, improvements and verification regarding critical design aspects of its very successful product line WAY. Gava points out that finite element analysis is absolutely key to guarantee the product quality and hold down development costs.
Gava continues, “For example, Femap enables us to thoroughly investigate the response of an object (created in Solid Edge) to the implant, or its masticatory load. This analysis is crucial, especially in a sector such as ours, in which safety and accuracy are essential. In simulating the response of the implant subject to the masticatory load, we can accurately determine its behavior and use this information to improve our design. By digitally optimizing our designs, we save time and reduce the physical prototyping of products, certifying product quality and development methods as required by applicable biomedical regulations.”
An unexpected marketing-collaboration tool
“Solid Edge is an excellent marketing tool,” notes Gava. “Time and again, it has unexpectedly opened up a dialog among the various actors involved in product development – doctors, engineers, CNC operators, external associates.We now use Solid Edge for collaborative purposes.”
Gava describes the difference between then and now processes: “The schematic or 2D drawing versus actual geometry allows us to communicate in a substantially easier manner and to make our project intentions instantly understandable to our customers, such as dental surgeons. There are other advantages, such as it’s simpler to make any changes according to precise clinical needs. Medical staff is in continuous contact with our R&D department,” notes Gava. “Immediate communication and understanding of data result in collaboration from the start. This is a great advantage, which we did not initially expect, whether we are working with a university or dental surgeon. It’s more than a pleasant surprise, because it has resulted in significant savings on each project relative to the time our engineers spend addressing each medical staff’s requests in terms of product morphological characteristics.”
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Challenges:
- Adherence to 100 percent quality and safety per biomedical requirements
- Handling of complex logistical demands, from production to delivery of the finished product
- Expanding product portfolio
Keys To Success:
- Optimizing product development
- Using unique package for 3D design and analysis with finished elements
- Collaborating directly with clients and suppliers
Results:
- Quality standards met
- Product safety improved
- Collaboration with clients dramatically enhanced
- Development process accelerated
Industry:
- Life Sciences
Client's Primary Business:
GEASS specializes in dental implantology. With more than 20 years of experience and 50 employees, the company designs and produces dental implants and all that is necessary for their correct use. The company is also renowned for its R&D and investment in new dental implant technologies. Among successes is in the revolutionary Synthegra, an innovative surface treatment using special laser technology, and innovative implant line called WAY, the first of its kind in the field.
Solutions/Services:
- Femap
- Solid Edge
- Velocity Series
Client Location:
Pozzuolo del Friuli, Udine (UD)
Italy
"With the joint use of Solid Edge and Femap, we have been able to shorten design and analysis turnaround and obtain high quality and fully reliable products, while meeting delivery times. Femap has very sophisticated capabilities and at the same time is wholly integrated with Solid Edge. We found no other similar integration.The Solid Edge-Femap complete integration and the fact they both come from the same supplier stands as a warranty for us."
Paolo Gava
Technical Office Manager
GEASS