Imagine a symphonic orchestra made up of engineers, CAD technicians, architects and industrial draftsmen. In recent years, collaborative Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and software engineering have evolved significantly and new, more modern instruments have been developed that offer new possibilities and a new collective dynamic. Just like an orchestra that tunes up to play beautiful music together, design offices are harnessing these different digital technologies to achieve excellence in their projects.

What is collaborative CAD?

Collaborative CAD uses CAD software in a shared and synchronized working environment. These tools enable several experts to work simultaneously on the same project, both on-site and remotely. This type of collaboration is essential for the efficient management of CAD projects, especially in complex industries, such as automotive, aerospace and civil engineering, for example.

In a collaborative CAD environment, the experts working on the project can coordinate their work, share information in real time and make changes that are immediately visible to all the other participants in the project. This possibility facilitates communication and coordination between the players in the project, as well as conflict and interference management.

Functionalities such as the management of customizable access rights and the extraction of electronic data using a Product Data Management (PDM) tool are important aspects of collaborative CAD. This functionality minimizes handling errors and improves document management in order to improve the execution of the CAD project.

In addition, collaborative CAD boosts creativity and innovation by simplifying exchanges between the different expertises and speeding up the innovation process. Thanks to the integrated management of data and versions, the members of the project can easily access the information from different devices, which helps to quickly bring innovative and differentiating products to the market.

What are the challenges of collaborative CAD?

Collaborative CAD faces numerous and various challenges. Here are just some of the main ones.

The interoperability of multi-CAD parts

Interoperability is a major issue in collaborative CAD. Interoperability consists of the ability of different CAD systems to transparently exchange and share data. Interoperability enables teams to work together efficiently, even if they use different CAD software.

A strict demand to meet delivery deadlines

Against a backdrop of ever more stringent delivery deadlines, collaborative CAD can speed up the design process by facilitating collaboration and communication between teams. This enables companies to respond more quickly to the demands of the market.

Optimization of stock management

Collaborative CAD can help to optimize stock management by improving the coordination between the different stakeholders, including the design, production and logistics teams. This can cut the costs incurred by excessive or insufficient stocks.

Development of collaborative practices

Collaborative CAD contributes to the development of collaborative practices in enterprises. It harnesses collective intelligence, by encouraging exchanges and the sharing of knowledge between the members of the teams. This can result in greater innovation, as well as faster problem-solving and better informed decision-making processes.

Transformation of work and the organization

Collaborative CAD brings about changes in working practices and the organization of enterprises. It favors cross-functional collaboration, open communications and flexibility in the execution of tasks. This can improve the efficiency and agility of the teams, while striking a better work-life balance.

How does collaborative CAD revolutionize the work of design offices?

Before the advent of digital engineering and collaborative CAD, design offices were faced with insurmountable challenges and numerous limitations. The arrival of revolutionary technologies has significantly improved their work in numerous ways.

1. Real-time collaboration

Before: most of the time, the engineering teams had to work sequentially, relying on exchanges of hard copy documents or files sent by email. This resulted in serious delays in collaboration and the teams were unable to work on the same model simultaneously.

After: thanks to digital engineering and collaborative CAD, team members can work on a common design model in real time. Any changes are immediately visible to all the team members, a fact that produces fluid, reactive and efficient collaboration, no matter where they are.

The range of CAD, CAM and PDM TopSolid solutions

2. Integration of disciplines

Before: the different disciplines of a design office often worked in isolation, and did not communicate much with one another. This isolation could produce errors, incoherences and the loss of opportunities to innovate.

After: digital engineering facilitates the integration of disciplines by using collaborative CAD platforms. The various teams can share their knowledge and collaborate, right from the design phase. Designers, engineers, materials specialists, etc., can work together on a shared model, inputting their respective expert knowledge and favoring a holistic approach to the project.

3. Advanced visualization and simulation

Before: visualizing design models was limited to 2D drawings or physical prototypes. Test and simulations were costly and frequently required the construction of physical prototypes.

After: thanks to collaborative CAD, design models can be visualized in 3D, providing a better understanding of the characteristics of the product. In addition, virtual simulations can be used to test the performances of the product under different conditions, before it is physically manufactured. This cuts costs and shortens the deadlines of physical prototypes, while also improving the quality and the performances of the end product.

4. Optimization of the design processes

Before: the design processes were manual and repetitive, allowing room for human error and limiting the productivity of the teams.

After: digital engineering provides advanced collaborative CAD tools that automate certain repetitive tasks. Libraries of standardized components, parametric design and automated analyses all help to produce more precise models more quickly. This frees up time for the engineers, who can focus more closely on creativity and innovation, while reducing human errors.

5. Management of data and traceability

Before: the management of design data was often complex and subject to version management problems. The files were stored locally and sharing data was laborious.

After: collaborative CAD centralizes the management of design data, providing secure storage and easier access. The teams can share and access the files in real time, with end-to-end traceability of all the changes made to the design models. This makes it easier to find and retrieve data, and to improve version management, thereby contributing to smoother collaboration and informed decision-making.

The technologies of the future: the revolution goes on

In the future, the already impressive range of tools available to design offices will be supplemented by new technologies. Some of these advances are already well underway, while others still have to achieve their potential.

In particular, virtual and enhanced reality deserve a mention. They are already used, in particular by TopSolid, and they will be used more and more.

Then, we can expect to see the arrival or artificial intelligence and automatic learning, which will propose design improvements, based on previous successful models.

With the Internet of Things (IoT), it will be possible to connect physical objects to digital systems, thereby creating cyber-physical systems.

3D printing will continue to evolve and improve, producing more complex parts from more diverse materials and with improved properties.

Finally, there are the integrated collaboration platforms. They will enable the collaborative CAD systems of the future to integrate advanced and real-time chat, task management, deadline tracking and data visualization functionality.

The modular, open and flexible TopSolid’Design CAD solution addresses these issues in order to facilitate collaborative working in design offices, at every stage of the design process. Want to find out more? Then get in touch!

CAD software, which is used to digitally model parts or machines, is indispensable in numerous sectors of activity. As well as making technical improvements, it also forms a link between different fields of expertise and helps to improve the complete design process. We take a look at this tool, its applications and its benefits for enterprises.

CAD: definition, principles and applications

What is the role of CAD?

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is used to digitally model parts or machines in 2D or 3D. This technical drawing software provides the opportunity to reach very high levels of detail, by perfectly representing the dimensions, structure, texture or strength of the product. This modeling stage, which takes place just before the launch of production, simulates the operation of the part and can correct any errors. Therefore, CAD is an essential tool for any company seeking to industrialize its design process.

What is the difference between Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Drafting?

Both capitalized as CAD, they are often mistaken for one another, but do not offer the same possibilities.

• Computer-Aided Drafting is a “simple” 2D or 3D drawing software application, that is only used to draft and produce designs on a computer.
• Computer-Aided Design is more complete, since it brings together software applications with their own specific physical, chemical and technical parameters. Computer-Aided Design offers functionality that extends beyond Computer-Aided Drafting software.

What are the possible uses of CAD?

Unlike DAO software, CAD can be used for a multitude of purposes. In particular, this software was be used to:

• handle objects in 2D or 3D,
• make digital calculations,
• produce graphic representations,
• perform digital modeling,
• produce plans drawings,
• manage assemblies.

This complete and versatile software is used in many sectors, such as automotive, mechanics, construction and civil engineering, aeronautics and retail. CAD can be used in projects that are very different.

• In architecture, CAD software allows the draftsmen to refine buildings by taking the architect’s expertise into account, plus the aesthetics of the construction and the environmental standards of the project.
• In electronics, CAD helps the technician to define the dimensions of an installation, scope the construction of a PCB and perform simulations.

What are the benefits of CAD?

The technical functions and multiple applications of CAD software offer a multitude of benefits to enterprises.

Higher productivity

From shorter lead times, to reduced production costs and optimized production processes, CAD plays an important role in boosting the company’s productivity. On the one hand, it significantly increases the efficiency of draftsmen, while, on the other, the technical functionality of the software avoids product errors, before they are even manufactured. As a consequence, the production of every part is optimized.

The range of CAD, CAM and PDM TopSolid solutions

A higher quality of design

CAD software offers access to a range of high-performance tools to draftsmen to complete their design. This level of precision enables high-quality parts with few or no defects to be produced.

Simplified creation of the database

When designing a product, it is necessary to use detailed documentation that contains:

• A list of the materials and components,
• The dimensions and geometry of the product,
• The specifics of the materials used,
• Drawings of the components and the products.

CAD software facilitates this process, because it can easily produce and compile all this data.

Optimized storage

Along the same lines, design software makes saving and storing the data more fluid. Consequently, the product design and the standardized components of the drawing can easily be saved and reused in other projects.

An aid for collaboration

In addition to improving the work done by the draftsman, CAD software facilitates collaboration between the different players in the production process. It can centralize the project on a platform, where all the trades involved can interact. Consequently, when one department makes a change, the impacts of the change on the entire project are immediately visible to all the parties involved. The players progress hand in hand, from the design office to the workshop. In particular, this facilitates:

• Constructive exchanges,
• An understanding of the reciprocal issues,
• The possibility to test different innovative scenarios.

Software that is compatible with the company’s ERP

Today, many CAD software applications are compatible with ERP software. This agility produces numerous benefits for the enterprise:

• Increased productivity, because the integration of the ERP and the CAD software provides optimal control of the various flows and processes, from the design to the manufacturing of the product,
• Better reliability of the technical data, because the link between production and the design office improves the reliability and security of the data,
• Time-savings for employees, because the persons tasked with the product configuration can save valuable time, since all the project data is centralized.

So, you can see that CAD software is an essential tool in certain sectors. This technical and organizational solution improves the productivity of the draftsmen, but it also impacts the entire enterprise.

TopSolid offers a broad range of CAD solutions that are designed according to the specifics and the needs of different sectors of activity. Check out all our offers and choose the solution that is best adapted to your activity, or contact us for more information.

In industry, the regular production of these documents can take a long time and often produces fruitless or unusable results. But, thanks to 3D design and digital engineering, it is possible to quickly produce comprehensible documents and efficient views that provide customers with a clear vision of the state of progress of the project.

What is a progress report?

You probably already know what progress reports are. On the other hand, you may not understand all their subtleties or, even worse, you may think that they are pointless. So, let’s get things straight… Progress reports are used to keep track of and communicate the status of a project, at a given point in time, to different stakeholders. It provides an overview of the completed activities and tasks, the results achieved and any problems. Progress reports can be used to assess the state of progress of a project and take decisions on the basis of up-to-date information. A 3D CAD project to design a machine, for example, could contain the following information:

• A description of the project: The report can begin with a detailed description of the project that contains the goal of the project, the required specifications, the technical constraints, the functional requirements and the planned deadlines.
• Design steps: An overview of the various design steps that are followed to design the machine using 3D CAD. It may include the initial 3D modeling, the creation of the assemblies, the addition of specific functionality, the optimization of performances, etc.
• 3D models: Present the 3D models that are produced for the machine using 3D CAD software. These models may show the structure of the machine, the individual components, the connections and the mechanisms, etc. They are used to view and validate the design.
• Results of the simulations: If any simulations are made to assess the performances of the machine, their results can be included in the progress report. They may include analyses of the strength of the materials, movement simulations, collision tests, etc.
• Problems encountered: Mention the problems encountered throughout the design process. At this point, technical difficulties, the limitations of the CAD software, manufacturing constraints, delays, etc., are raised. The measures taken to solve these problems may also be mentioned.
• Progress relative to the initial plan: The report may provide a comparison between the actual state of progress of the project and the initial plan. This comparison can be used to see whether the project is ahead of schedule, running late or on schedule. Any deviations can be explained and adjustments can be suggested.
• Collaboration and communication: Keep a trace of the interactions with the other members of the design team, suppliers, partners or customers. They include meetings, exchanges of information, requests for clarification, etc.

The next steps: The status report may be closed by highlighting the next steps of the project. This may include the remaining tasks, upcoming deadlines, planned deliverables, tests to be carried out, etc.

It is always possible to simplify the level of detail of the reports and to keep only the information that is really useful.

How does a progress report affect the execution of a project?

Progress reports are a part of the global project management process, and they play an essential role. They are scheduled in the planning phases and completed during the execution phases. They are used to identify any deviations and to take corrective measures in the monitoring and control phases, they facilitate communication between the stakeholders, and the information collected can be used to reassess and adjust the project. It is quite easy to get lost, if you want to draw up a good progress report. So, how can you make this task more fluid?

The range of CAD, CAM and PDM TopSolid solutions

How collaborative 3D design helps to produce progress reports

In the design phase of a project, you do not necessarily need a rendering in real time. You have not reached the end of the project, and many elements can still vary. Nevertheless, you may want the communicate the project as is to an external party. The customer, for example, who can ask for a progress report at any time.  You must be capable of proposing a 3D model, which you can do to in two ways: just the visual, or the visual with the tree structure of the parts. How?

You have three possibilities:

• Produce a view outside the project in its current state in the form of a 3D view that is not necessarily realistic. We call this TopSolid Viewer: we supply the data, then the partner loads it and can see the same thing as on our workstation.
• Authorizing a user to log into a Product Data Manager (PDM). They can then see their machine in a simple web interface, on a mobile phone or on a mobile tablet. In concrete terms, we send them a link that grants access.
• The last method consists of sending a simple link by email. The user then logs into a web site, where we have shared the 3D data with them.

When should the progress report of a 3D CAD project be sent?

The process described above can take place several times in the product design cycle. The idea is to iterate with the customer, who can make amendments, adjustments, corrections, etc.

The history must keep track of all these interactions, which is where the PDM comes into play. Thanks to the PDM, we know everything that has happened. We know if and the date when we sent a prototype to the customer, their response and any action that was taken as a consequence, etc. Everything is tracked in the management environment.

When you reach the end of your project, after numerous exchanges and discussions, you can start the review in virtual reality. This is still an iterative process, and you may want to backtrack on certain design choices.

If you backtrack through the design steps “by hand”, then the process can become so complex that it is unmanageable. It is better to have a system that is smart enough to rebuild everything on its own, otherwise it could take a very long time.

The Product Data Manager: the cornerstone of a good progress report

As you may have already observed in your projects, every person and every company may have its own definition of what a progress report should be. There are infinite variations, from no formalism at all (the customer knows nothing or, on the contrary, has full access in real time, but no explanations), to a complex and sometimes totally unusable document.

See also “The benefits and selection criteria of the PDM for CAD-CAM”.

They key consists of the combination of collaborative 3D CAD techniques and an efficient PDM (Product Data Manager). They save time and allow for simplicity. They also standardize exchanges, reduce the risk of errors, build on knowledge and secure data. Want to find out more? Then get in touch!