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Discover this article about a SolidWorks customer who took an ecological approach to revolutionize the world of sanitary ware by designing and marketing dry toilets …
The young start up is making SolidWorks the cornerstone of its product development cycle.
Ecodoméo, a specialist in dry toilets in France, has chosen its 3D SolidWorks solution. From design to conception, including business-to-business exchanges and marketing support, SolidWorks® Standard is ubiquitous in all phases of the product lifecycle.
Prerequisite to start the activity, Emmanuel Morin, its manager, wanted to invest in a complete 3D design tool, reliable and quick to set up.
A new product for a new market
Created in 2009, Ecodoméo is one of these young innovative companies. Its founder, Emmanuel Morin, imagined, designed and industrialized the first dry toilets for individuals and professionals. “A desire to bring my stone to the edifice of sustainable development. An idea of an ecological product within everyone’s reach, which knows how to adapt to the modern way of life, combining aesthetics, performance and ease of use on a daily basis. This is the starting point of the Ecodoméo adventure, ”he explains. The first model, designed and developed with SolidWorks, saw the light of day in 2009. “It was a top-of-the-range product, so it had to evolve to meet, again and again, the needs of users,” adds Emmanuel Morin.
After 18 months of reengineering and the help of a design company, the new generation of dry toilets was put on the market last October. The objective, in the long term, is to market 100 toilets per year, to date, the company is on a basis of 30 to 40 products per year.
From design to marketing
“Like all young companies, I had to base my activity on a complete product that would allow me to cover all the processes,” explains Emmanuel Morin. SolidWorks is the right solution.
In fact, in addition to design, Dassault Systèmes’ 3D solution enables Ecodoméo to exchange views with its partners and suppliers, who are also equipped with SolidWorks. For the redesign of the product, for example, Emmanuel Morin was able to provide his designer with the complete and detailed assembly of the first product. Time saving for both partners and optimal security to manage changes. “Our exchanges were, in fact, simplified, therefore, faster. A strong point for a VSE like Ecodoméo, ”he says.
SolidWorks, a marketing support tool
Here again the watchword is optimization … Drawings, documentation, assembly instructions and even scenarios for the customer, everything is managed with SolidWorks Standard. “It’s very important at the commercial level to be able to show future buyers 3D views,” comments Emmanuel Morin. “The customer sees the dry toilet at home, in his environment. This facilitates his choice. “
The future for Ecodoméo?
The company has made “French or European manufacture” its label. A good way to participate in the positive ecological footprint. She intends to continue on this path. The ambition of its manager is to design derivative products that would allow the range to be adapted to buildings, for example. To do this, new processes will have to be developed. Next, Emmanuel Morin’s ambition is to continue to devote 20% of his turnover to Research and Development. “It will be focused on product optimization,” he explains. “SolidWorks® Simulation will then become a must. “
Ecodoméo aims to be the pioneer of the dry toilets of the future, both ecological and totally adapted to modern life. A bet on the way to being won and already rewarded with two prizes in 2012: the Janus de l’Industrie, awarded by the French Institute of Design and L’Etoile de l’Observateur du design, an international prize that rewards each year the best achievements (products, spaces and services), all sectors of activity combined.