THK Enhances Design Innovation with PLM Solutions from IBM and Dassault Systèmes

Manufacturer expects to reduce design cycle time by 80% using CATIA V5 3D capabilities

Tokyo, Japan and Paris, France, July 13, 2005 - IBM and Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced that THK CO., LTD. a world-leading manufacturer of LM (liner motion) guide products, has chosen their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions to streamline its product development process, reducing design time by 80%, and enhance product quality and innovation.

THK will use CATIA V5 3D design capabilities and powerful knowledgeware functions to design its LM Guide, Ball Screw and Actuator, which have built-in LM Guide and Ball Screws. THK's LM Guide, Ball Screw and Actuator are incorporated into the very foundation of various kinds of machinery, from machine tools to factory equipment. Machinery precision depends on these vital products. Moving from 2D to 3D, along with the ability to apply generative mechanical design principles and knowledge from one project to another, CATIA V5 will enable the company to enhance design innovation and expand its product portfolio while optimizing parts reuse and commonality. As a result, THK will keep design costs at a minimum. In addition, advanced CATIA V5 modeling functions will enable the design of unprecedented complex shapes, thus responding on demand to customer expectations.

THK estimates that implementation of CATIA V5 will allow the company to reduce its design time by 80% at early design stage. It also will facilitate the instant acquisition of information about bill of materials (BOM). In a second phase, THK expects to further increase time-to-market of its products by integrating all processes, from design to manufacturing, enabling all departments of the company to share the same data, knowledge and best practices. THK will leverage those operations across its enterprise.

THK’s leadership position in linear motion systems has led to rapid and revolutionary improvements in the accuracy and speed of advanced mechatronic instruments such as machine tools, industrial robots, and semiconductor production equipment. It has also made possible ultra-precise operations, to submicron standards.

"Our customers require the highest quality and most innovative products quickly," said Hiroshi NiwaAgeneral manager, Research and Development I, Engineering and Development Department, THK. "We believe IBM and Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solution will dramatically improve our product development and manufacturing technology by enabling greater knowledge sharing and streamlining our manufacturing processes. We are confident that we will be able to respond to customer requirements even more quickly and precisely than before."

"THK’s products have had for many years a reputation of quality and innovation" says Junichi Takeuchi, vice president, PLM solutions, IBM Asia Pacific. "Like other industrial companies using our PLM solutions to differentiate themselves from competition, THK will quickly get return on investment through operational cost reductions, increased productivity and quicker time-to-market of highly innovative products."

"For the precision-parts manufacturing industry, which supports the very basis of machinery products, implementation of V5 PLM solutions by THK is a major event," said Christian Nardin, managing director, Dassault Systèmes Asia. "THK will be able to integrate its process end-to-end and achieve a major reduction in design time through the effective use of its design knowledge. Furthermore, THK will be in a position to react faster to the diversified needs of its customers. As many OEM manufacturers have adopted V5 PLM solutions, a greater synergistic benefit can be expected through collaboration as parts suppliers adopt those solutions as well."