C-Tech shifts to Dassault cloud CAD for composites push
C-Tech has replaced its long-standing computer-aided design system with Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, in a move that reshapes the New Zealand manufacturer's approach to composite design and production.
The Auckland-headquartered company selected 3DEXPERIENCE as its preferred CAD platform after nearly three decades on its previous software environment. The shift introduces a single data model that links design, simulation and manufacturing across C-Tech's sites in New Zealand and Spain.
Dassault Systèmes and its regional partner Invenio are delivering the project. The deployment adds a further reference for Dassault's cloud-based platform in the New Zealand market.
Major software shift
C-Tech is a New Zealand-owned specialist in advanced composite structures. The company supplies components for elite sailing, defence, heavy industry, aerospace and space programmes.
The business was founded in 1997. It now serves around 1,000 customers worldwide.
C-Tech is well known in high-performance yachting. Its battens, foils and sail hardware feature in events such as the America's Cup, including Emirates Team New Zealand, and SailGP, where foiling yachts can exceed 50 knots.
The company has scaled its export operations over recent years. It runs production facilities in New Zealand and Spain.
As the business grew, C-Tech reviewed new engineering platforms. The company looked for integrated modelling and simulation and closer links between engineering and manufacturing workflows.
The firm chose Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud following that assessment. The selection replaces CAD tools that had been in place for close to 30 years.
The new platform introduces CATIA-based design, simulation and design-to-manufacturing tools under one environment. It also includes marine-focused "Sea Boat Builder" industry templates.
Design and simulation
C-Tech will use 3DEXPERIENCE to simulate composite structures in more detail. It will also use the system to validate designs earlier in the development process.
The company expects tighter consistency between design data and production data. It also expects a reduction in rework and errors during handover from engineering to manufacturing.
Internal teams in New Zealand and Spain now work from a single source of product information. The platform also adds revision management and collaboration tools that track changes across locations.
Riley Dean, Global Chief Technology Officer at C-Tech, said the behaviour of composite materials is central to the firm's product performance.
"The performance envelope of our products depends on our ability to predict and control composite behaviour at a very detailed level. With the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, we can bring modeling and simulation together in one environment, validate our designs earlier, and push for lighter, stronger structures with greater confidence. Just as importantly, we now have a single source of truth that connects design, engineering and manufacturing across our New Zealand and Spanish operations," said Riley Dean, Global Chief Technology Officer, C‐Tech.
The new system also gives C-Tech a base for higher levels of automation in future. This could include more automated design checks and production preparation.
Cloud in focus
Dassault Systèmes is promoting cloud delivery of its 3DEXPERIENCE platform across Asia-Pacific. The C-Tech deal adds a composites manufacturer with strong links to global marine sport and defence projects.
Patrick Ong, Senior Sales Director - Customer Process Experience, Asia Pacific South at Dassault Systèmes, said the company sees growing demand for cloud tools among local manufacturers.
"C‐Tech exemplifies how New Zealand manufacturers are using cloud platforms to rethink how they design, validate and build high‐performance products. The company's adoption of our 3DEXPERIENCE platform underscores our momentum in New Zealand and across the region, as more customers look to the cloud to improve agility, streamline processes and unlock new ways of working," said Ong.
Cloud deployment allows C-Tech to run shared environments without building its own large on-premise infrastructure. It also standardises tools across the firm's New Zealand and Spanish operations.
Role of Invenio
Invenio is a long-standing Dassault Systèmes partner in Asia-Pacific. The firm provides engineering and enterprise software services across Australia and New Zealand.
Invenio is working with C-Tech on consulting, implementation, training and ongoing support for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It also supports other regional customers with similar deployments.
Sam Sanders, Enterprise Sales Leader at Invenio, said the C-Tech project shows how CATIA-based tools operate across several sectors.
"By moving to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, C‐Tech can concentrate on engineering and manufacturing excellence, instead of second-guessing their tools. It's a powerful demonstration of CATIA's versatility across industries - from SailGP and the America's Cup to aerospace and defence programmes," said Sanders.
Further phases of the project are expected to expand automation and deepen integration between product development and manufacturing at C-Tech.
