Keeping a Lock on Industrial Vault Design with SolidWorks Software

By DE Editors

Aside from overall security, the two most important considerations in designing a massive vault door are a tight fit and the ability to get out in case of an accidental lock in. Vault Structures, Inc. has standardized on SolidWorks 3D CAD and SolidWorks Simulation design validation software to help financial institutions keep a lock on billions of dollars of cash, jewelry, and other valuables.

Vault Structures develops a range of products including safes and safe deposit boxes to custom high-security blast panels and UL certified vault doors. The company recently unveiled its latest product, the VSI 360 vault door, tipping the scales at 9000 lbs. and measuring 14 in. thick.

  “We designed this door so it would only have a 3/16 in. gap around its circumference,” says Sara Cheney, design engineer for Vault Structures. “That’s a very tight gap for such a large door, providing maximum security.”

According to Cheney, using SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation helped Vault Structures design and test the door about 70 percent faster, saving $150,000 in reduced prototyping costs.

Cheney used SolidWorks to design a mechanism that enables people to get out of the vault if they accidentally shut themselves inside. SolidWorks’ sheet metal analysis capabilities enabled her to try myriad sizing options to ensure precision before fabrication begins. SolidWorks Routing enables engineers to determine exactly where and how to place electrical wiring within the design. SolidWorks Simulation helped Cheney make sure the door would open and close without any interferences.

For more information, visit Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.