MEP Utah Helps Increase Productivity and Sales for Agrinautics using CAD Software

Results
Two CAD/CAM students from the local university, Southern Utah University, were hired as third party contractors. Using the evaluation software, they created electronic drawings of a product that were then used to update Agrinautics' product catalog. During the process of developing the electronic drawings, the students also taught three Agrinautics employees how to use the basic functions of Inventor.

Testimonial
"Agrinautics, with the help of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, now has the ability to quickly produce part and assembly drawings. This new capability allows us to design and produce new concept drawings at a much greater speed, resulting in a quicker turn around time from concept to prototype to marketable product. This new CAD program also allows Agrinautics to make changes and additions quickly to our catalog, thus, keeping our customers better informed. It also gives us the ability to improve our marketing, sales, and customer relations. We, at Agrinautics, would like to thank the MEP program, in particular Mr. James Petersen, for bringing this program to us. It is sure to help us grow and expand over the next 40 years."

Testimonial Name: Rick E. King
Testimonial Title: Plant Manager

Products
Manufacturer of spray pumps, valves, and equipment for the agricultural aviation industry.

Opportunity
As Agrinautics matured over the past 40 years, the technology used to create and modify pattern and part drawings stayed the same--paper and pencil. Agrinautics' product catalog had not been updated for years, and an opportunity to market a new and existing product (at the National Agriculture Aviation Convention) was fast approaching. Further, any new design concepts went untried or delayed because of the time commitment required using the outdated technology.

Solution
The solution, to both the short-term (marketing new and existing products at the upcoming convention) and the long-term (not trying or delaying new design concepts because of time constraint) problems, was conceived, developed, and implemented through a partnership effort between Agrinautics and the MEP. The solution comprised of the following: Goals:
1. Update Agrinautics' product catalog prior to the crop duster convention.
2. Evaluate possible CAD software packages and determine if replacing the "old" paper/pencil system with computerized drafting technology would be value added to the organization.

Employees
4