DBM Reflex Cuts Mold Set-Up Time 40% Using CATIA Knowledgeware

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DBM Reflex Cuts Mold Set-Up Time 40% Using CATIA Knowledgeware

Case study showing how DBM Reflex used CATIA Knowledgeware and CAA to automate optical mold design and cut set-up time by 40%.

Published

June 4, 2026

Read time

3 min read

Source

DBM Reflex, a Canadian manufacturer of automotive tail light molds, expanded its CATIA deployment with Knowledgeware templates and CAA Extended Development. The changes captured proprietary optical geometry IP, eliminated redundant design versions across departments, and automated NC programming and publications. Resulting standardization reduced tooling needs by half and shortened method-to-machining cycle time from two days to less than one.

Key takeaways

CATIA Knowledgeware templates embedded publications and geometries needed by downstream Methods and Machining teams.

CAA Extended Development enabled custom macros that apply optical IP automatically to every design.

Design-to-machining cycle time fell from two days to under one day, a 40% reduction in set-up time.

Tooling count per mold dropped from ten to five, cutting machine changeover and cost.

Single CAD model now serves Design, Methods, and Manufacturing without rework or translation.

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