Why Starting with 3D Design in SolidWorks Speeds Up Product Development
With 2D being a traditional starting point in the design process, breaking out of this habit can be difficult. However, beginning with 3D design using SolidWorks CAD (computer-aided design) presents many advantages that accelerate the entire flow of a project.
Traditional 2D drawings often lack the spatial depth and detail required for complex design communication. They are prone to misinterpretation, require additional annotations, and often demand rework once prototyping begins. Starting with 3D design eliminates these inefficiencies early in the process.
Advantages of 3D Solid Modelling
3D solid modelling shortens the design cycle and enhances the process of manufacturing by establishing a clearer, more direct communication baseline. This results in a faster time to market and a higher-quality product. Ultimately, this streamlined workflow helps reduce design costs and consistently delivers superior outcomes.
Business Benefits of Switching to 3D Mechanical Design
Transitioning to 3D mechanical design can have several positive impacts on your business:
- Faster Market Readiness: A streamlined product design flow gives you a competitive edge, allowing quicker reactions in fast-paced markets.
- Enhanced Product Visualization: 3D design enables real-time, on-screen visualisation of the product from any angle, helping to identify potential pitfalls before production begins.
- Design Confidence from the Start: Beginning your project in 3D, rather than switching later, reduces uncertainty and rework, allowing design decisions to be validated earlier.
Better Communication and Customer Engagement
A 3D render of products using SolidWorks Visualize or KeyShot allows customers to view their item in a realistic format rather than a flat image. This enhances design reviews and facilitates early-stage changes that would otherwise surface later in production, reducing quality-related costs and errors.
SolidWorks Visualize is particularly powerful because it is directly integrated into the SolidWorks ecosystem, ensuring fast and consistent rendering output. While KeyShot is also effective, it is a third-party tool that can require additional integration steps.
Empowering Non-Technical Teams with CAD
Using SolidWorks CAD software, you can rapidly generate detailed drawings of the model. This allows non-technical colleagues to specify, configure, and quote on products and changes while preserving your brand, design, and quality standards. The result is faster output and improved customer response times.
Automating Design with DriveWorks
SolidWorks 3D Design integrated with DriveWorks enables automation of the CAD process. It captures design knowledge, implements rules to ensure parameters are met, and creates design variations with ease. These capabilities lead to time and cost savings while streamlining workflows.
Many businesses have leveraged this setup to great effect. For instance, manufacturers using SolidWorks with DriveWorks have reported up to a 75% reduction in time-to-market through automation and rule-driven design reuse.
Ready to Get Started?
Would you like to know more about SolidWorks, training courses, 3D mechanical design, or CAD design automation with DriveWorks? Contact JOA Designs today. We will help guide you toward a more streamlined future.
