Simplify complex configurations with DriveWorks

30-Second Summary Complexity outgrows manual processes Hundreds or thousands of variations, configuration rules, and complex price lists become unmanageable when handled by hand. Capture rules centrally DriveWorks stores product rules, compliance requirements, and engineering logic in one place rather than in individual employees’ heads. Guided selling prevents errors Rules-based configuration guides users through choices and […]
SOLIDWORKS Standard vs Professional vs Premium: Which One Do You Need?

30-Second Summary Standard covers the essentials 3D modelling, assemblies, drawings, manufacturing preparation (additive and NC programming), and cloud collaboration are all included at the base tier. Professional adds productivity and control Toolbox parts library, photorealistic rendering, cost estimation, tolerance analysis, CAD standards checking, ECAD/MCAD collaboration, and PDM Standard give growing teams the tools to work […]
The Benefits of Training: Why Investing in Training Pays Off for Businesses and Employees

30-Second Summary Hidden costs Skills gaps show up as slower work, repeated requests for help and outdated methods, which over time affect productivity, quality and morale. Business benefits Training improves performance, helps teams use their existing technology properly and reduces reliance on a single “go-to” employee. Employee growth Training helps break the cycle of frustration […]
How to increase design team efficiency with DriveWorks

30-Second Summary “Same but different” designs Custom product manufacturers spend significant time updating CAD models, configurations, drawings, assemblies, and BOMs. The cost of manual work Bottlenecks slow the design cycle, causing slow quote turnaround times and lost sales. Rules-based design automation DriveWorks automatically generates SOLIDWORKS® parts, assemblies, drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing documents. Engineering knowledge captured […]
Speed up designs, with fewer errors and rework

30-Second Summary The problem with manual CAD updates Custom manufacturers spend hours copying files, updating dimensions, and generating BOMs for every new order, increasing the risk of errors and rework. Rules-based automation DriveWorks captures engineering knowledge as reusable rules that automatically generate accurate SOLIDWORKS models, drawings, and assemblies. Consistent outputs guaranteed Rules-driven logic replaces manual […]
How SOLIDWORKS Plastics Simulation Reduces the Trial-and-Error Tax

30-Second Summary The trial-and-error tax Sending a plastic part to the toolmaker without simulation risks costly geometry changes once tooling design has already started. Clean geometry first Unmerged bodies and tiny gaps between faces cause mesh failures – resolving these in CAD is far faster than restarting a failed mesh. Diagnose mesh failures efficiently The […]
Beyond FEA and CFD: Understanding Electromagnetic Simulation for SOLIDWORKS Users

30-Second Summary skip render: ucaddon_list By Cameron Appolis Applications Engineer BE in Mechanical Engineering Published 24 August 2026 Updated 24 August 2026 LinkedIn View Profile A component can be strong enough to carry its mechanical loads and still fail to perform as intended. A motor may meet its structural requirements but produce the wrong torque. […]
Why Feed Screws Are So Hard to Model in SOLIDWORKS, and How to Generate Them in a Fraction of the Time

30-Second Summary The problem Feed screw pockets require a product to move along a helix while rotating about its own axis – a motion no standard SOLIDWORKS feature can produce. The usual workarounds Segment-by-segment sweeps, hand-placed lofts and surface stitching. Slow, fragile, and still only approximations. The add-in solution The MECAD Feed Screw add-in generates […]
How Better Toolpath Creation and VoluMill Machining Strategies Improve Manufacturing Readiness in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional

30-Second Summary Automatic Feature Recognition SOLIDWORKS CAM analyses 3D models to identify machinable features like pockets, holes and slots in seconds, slashing programming time. Toolpath Strategy Matters Choosing the right roughing and finishing strategies directly impacts cycle time, tool life and surface quality. VoluMill Delivers 74% Time Savings A side-by-side comparison showed VoluMill roughing reduced […]
How SOLIDWORKS Visualize Professional Pays for Itself in Engineering Hours

30-Second Summary Configurations Save Setup Time Render multiple design variations from a single Visualize project, each with different appearances and scenes, in one click. Render Queue Ends the Wait Queue multiple renders and let them process overnight instead of waiting for each one to finish before starting the next. Visualize Boost Frees Your Workstation Offload […]