Lost and Found

Beretti, an Italian company with its headquarters at Flero, near Brescia, has recently designed and produced – with the help of VISI software – a “beeper” for hunting dogs.

Hunting dogs are trained to “freeze” or “point” upon locating game to alert their handlers but in thick forest conditions it can be difficult to keep track of these canine helpers, so Gianpietro Beretti decided to create a modern audio method of tracking the dogs’ movements. Together with his son Marco, and using VISI software, they designed an impermeable container – attached to a collar – to house a sophisticated motion sensor, thereby creating their ‘Beeper E14’.

Since 1988 Beretti – father, son and employees – have designed and produced thermoplastic components. They’ve continually expanded and now, twenty years later, they boast a modern technical office and laboratory equipped with avant-garde, sophisticated instruments, CAD/CAM software and a number of CNC machines – from 65 to 220 tonnes.

“The VISI suite of software was of great help in the design of our Beeper E14 and in the design and production of the mould” said Beretti, emphasising that “This product has six parts with different thicknesses and dimensions, which meant a very complex mould tool design”.

Marco Beretti explained that VISI Mould and VISI Flow software allow the preview of changes in the tool design with the possibility of analysing air traps, optimising the runners and obtaining the best gate locations. He also praised the dynamic operation previews that provided ‘real time’ views of how component changes affected the tool design. Finding potential design issues at an early stage generates time savings further along the design process.

VISI Flow allows the visualisation and measurement of the final moulded shape predicted after processing the values for the filling, holding and freezing moulding phases. VISI Flow also visualises the warpage such that the best layout can be defined to achieve the shortest possible cycle times. Even core and cavity temperatures can be controlled, analysing temperature distribution and defining ejection time.

The patented Beeper E14 is now available in the standard version or the radio-controlled version, with the choice of recorded hawk song.

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