During my visit to the TAGMA Die Mold International Exhibition in Mumbai, I had the chance to speak with Mr. Antonio PARISSE, President of Cimatron | Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions. In an exclusive interview with DailyCADCAM, Antonio discussed Cimatron’s product portfolio, AI integration, and strategies for growth in India. He also touched on industry trends, challenges, and the expansion of Die and Mold manufacturing alongside the rise of electric vehicles.

You can find the full interview here. 

Could you please share insights into your background and professional trajectory within the CAD/CAM industry?

Sure, as the President of Cimatron, now under the umbrella of Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, my journey in the CAD, CAM industry spans over 25 years, with a focus on Mold and Die manufacturing. My extensive experience includes roles with reputable companies such as SolidWorks Switzerland, Vero Software, and Hexagon.

During my tenure, I’ve acquired a deep understanding of the complexities within this specialized sector, especially Die, Mold, allowing me to deliver tailored solutions that address specific industry needs. From my early days in finite element analysis to my recent positions, I’ve consistently aimed to enhance productivity and efficiency through innovative approaches.

My background encompasses both technical expertise and sales acumen, acquired through diverse roles within the industry. This multifaceted experience uniquely positions me to tackle various aspects of our business, from development to sales and marketing strategies.

As Cimatron integrates with Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, I am dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in our collective mission. Together, we aim to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving demands of our customers, ensuring their success in today’s competitive landscape.

What has been your experience with the TAGMA Die Mold International Exhibition in Mumbai?

This is my first time attending an exhibition in India, and I must say, it’s a refreshing experience to see a dedicated platform for the Die and Mold industry. In regions like Europe and the United States, such focused exhibitions are becoming rare, making this event particularly significant for us at Cimatron, given our exclusive focus on this market segment.

I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to engage with visitors from various companies across India who are seeking solutions for their Die and Mold requirements. We aim to showcase our products effectively to meet the diverse needs of our customers and prospects. Additionally, having live demonstrations of our capabilities using machine tools at our booth adds another dimension to our presentation, allowing visitors to witness Cimatron’s capabilities firsthand.

What are the emerging trends in the manufacturing sector, and how is Cimatron adapting its strategies to align with these trends?

Manufacturers worldwide are facing challenges in sourcing skilled resources, particularly in machine tools, as the pool of knowledgeable individuals continues to diminish. This poses complexities for implementing CAM software, as companies require personnel with strong technical backgrounds. The shortage of trained individuals presents obstacles to productivity and efficiency on the shop floor. Hence, our focus is increasingly on automation and integrating AI features into our software.

Also, since last few years, we are witnessing the convergence of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing, leading to the emergence of hybrid CAM technologies. Therefore, we are actively exploring CAM hybrid solutions to adapt to these advancements.

Being part of Sandvik presents opportunities, as we now have access to both machine tools and cutting tools expertise. This enables us to create synergies and optimize toolpath strategies for enhanced performance.

In terms of AI development, we have already begun integrating AI features into our products, including Cimatron. Our team, particularly in Pune, India, comprising over 20 skilled developers, has made significant progress in AI-related projects. Recently, I had the pleasure of witnessing a remarkable demonstration of their work, showcasing impressive results in picture recognition based on 3D model geometry.

Looking ahead, we are considering packaging these AI capabilities as a cloud-based service for our customers. This not only enhances our offerings but also aligns with Sandvik’s broader portfolio, potentially benefiting a wider range of users.

Overall, I am optimistic about the direction we are heading in, with exciting developments in AI and a commitment to innovation driving us forward.

What advancements have you observed in integrating AI into mechanical engineering processes, particularly in relation to streamlining workflows and addressing challenges posed by complex product shapes?

Certainly. About a decade ago, the concept of integrating AI into our processes was already being explored. However, at that time, it mainly involved adding an additional layer atop the 3D model to provide supplementary functionalities. The challenge with this approach was the heavy manipulation required on the model or file towards the end.

Fast forward to today, AI presents a more streamlined solution, eliminating the need for such cumbersome processes. It seamlessly integrates into both the design and manufacturing aspects, especially for tasks like feature recognition, thereby facilitating a smoother workflow.

In mechanical engineering, we’ve observed a clear trend towards more complex products with intricate, prismatic shapes. These shapes pose unique challenges in analysis and manufacturing, leading us to focus on progressively implementing AI-based features. Currently, our efforts are concentrated on enhancing machining capabilities through AI.

With a technical background rooted in mechanical engineering, I find these advancements deeply fascinating. Witnessing the tangible progress, we’ve achieved thus far is incredibly exciting, and it instils confidence in the future of our industry.

How does Cimatron distinguish itself from software like Mastercam in catering to the Die Mold industry, considering both are under the same parent company?

Indeed, we have Mastercam within the Sandvik portfolio, as you’re aware.

Our focus is crystal clear: we target the Mould & Die sector exclusively. Every tool at our disposal is tailored precisely to serve this industry. Cimatron software offers a unified solution featuring a single, user-friendly interface that streamlines your entire workflow, encompassing everything from quoting and design to manufacturing.

Our approach is highly specialized and dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the Die & Mold market. The integration of modeling and CAM functionalities places us in a unique position. With our software, users can design and manufacture parts using a seamless process.

One key advantage is that our suite of tools is finely tuned to the intricacies of Die & Mold work. This means users spend less time grappling with creating and strategizing, as the software facilitates these tasks efficiently.

Cimatron boasts a comprehensive set of features honed over years of collaboration and feedback from Die & Mold industry professionals.

Mastercam, on the other hand, is a robust product with a strong presence in various manufacturing sectors, including Die and Mold, particularly in regions like India. However, it operates in a different market segment.

Despite occasional overlap, particularly with products from CAMBRIO, which is also under the Sandvik umbrella now, each software has its distinct strengths tailored to specific industries. Our strategy revolves around identifying and addressing sector-specific needs with the appropriate tools. Similar challenges were encountered within Hexagon, in my previous job, but ultimately, clear distinctions emerged regarding which products to prioritize for specific sectors and requirements.

Overall, while the landscape may seem complex, our goal remains straightforward: to provide tailored solutions that precisely meet the demands of the Mold & Die industry.

What is your perspective on the expansion of the die mold industry in tandem with the rise of electric vehicles and its associated market segment?

Certainly, let me rephrase that for clarity. We recognize that as a company, we must adapt and evolve to thrive. Electric vehicles represent a promising future, and investing in the die market is pivotal for our growth strategy.

Our focus this year is on enhancing our die market presence through significant investments. This includes not only improving our product but also building a competent sales and demonstration team. Effective communication with professionals in the die market is crucial for our success.

Furthermore, we are enhancing our product with additional features tailored to support designers in this field. The rise of electric vehicles presents ample opportunities for us. Even if traditional Mold sales decline due to a shift towards stamping parts, our versatile product allows us to capitalize on this trend.

We are continuously expanding our product capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Our data analysis confirms the growth potential in the electric vehicle sector, reinforcing our commitment to this path.

As the Die and Mold sector increasingly adopts 3D printers, such as for conformal cooling applications, does Cimatron software facilitate similar functionalities?

Cimatron software has long been equipped with features for conformal cooling design, which have been utilized by many customers for several years. Despite the growing interest in 3D printing, particularly within industries like Die and Mold manufacturing, its widespread adoption still remains limited.

Currently, there’s a lack of widespread availability of hybrid machines capable of both additive and subtractive manufacturing, mainly due to their high cost. However, we possess the necessary technology and tools to support customers in this domain.

While the potential for such machines is recognized, their acquisition remains a significant investment for companies. Nevertheless, there’s growing interest, especially in regions like India, where advancements in this area are being pursued.

It’s worth noting that the cost associated with these machines and processes is substantial, making them particularly beneficial for OEMs and tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers in the automotive, aerospace sector. If our customers express demand for such capabilities, we are well-prepared to assist them.

What additional capabilities does Cimatron provide for the Die and Mold industry compared to other CAM products?

So, Cimatron stands out in the Die and Mold industry by offering tailored solutions designed specifically for this market segment. With Cimatron Mold, users benefit from a comprehensive suite of tools optimized for efficient design processes, resulting in time savings of 25-30% compared to other products.

The integrated CAD-CAM functionality further enhances productivity by providing automatic recognition and templates, eliminating the need for extensive tool pass programming. This seamless integration streamlines workflows from design to the shop floor, delivering significant efficiency gains.

Moreover, Cimatron’s continuous engagement with customers and resellers ensures that the software evolves to meet evolving industry needs. This customer-centric approach drives ongoing development, resulting in a wealth of capabilities that address real-world challenges faced by Die and Mold professionals.

Also, Cimatron’s combination of CAD-CAM integration and specialized features tailored for the Die & Mold market makes it a standout choice, offering unparalleled efficiency and productivity benefits.

Can you elaborate on the strategies you’ve employed to achieve growth in India?

Certainly. When we commenced our operations in India a few years ago, we made a strategic decision to focus on developing the market through our robust reseller network. At the outset of our journey, we had only a couple of resellers supporting us. However, following the acquisition of Cimatron by Sandvik, we have significantly expanded our reseller base to ten strong partners.

Our primary strategy revolves around targeted geographic positioning to align closely with industrial hubs and market demands in India. This strategic approach has yielded impressive results, with the Cimatron market in India witnessing a remarkable 100% growth last year.

We attribute our success not only to our product offerings but also to our unwavering support for our resellers across all facets of their operations. Recognizing the vast potential of the Indian market, we are committed to further investment and expansion in the region.

While some global markets may be experiencing downturns, we see India as a beacon of growth opportunities. This conviction underscores our determination to allocate more resources and effort towards advancing our presence in India.

Furthermore, we recognize that our success relies not solely on our products but also on the dedication and expertise of our team members. Sandeep, along with other colleagues, plays a vital role in spearheading business growth in this region.

In essence, our strategies for India are centered around targeted geographic positioning, robust reseller support, and continuous investment in people and resources. We are excited about the prospects in India and remain committed to further growth and success in the region.

I extend my gratitude to Mr. Antonio PARISSE, President of Cimatron | Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions. for the insightful discussion. If you have any questions for him or DailyCADCAM, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us via email at sachin@dailycadcam.com. We are more than happy to provide answers and further information.

– Sachin R. Nalawade | Editor DailyCADCAM, Contact Number +91 8806214040