SOLIDWORKS
also: SolidWorks · SW
Widely used desktop 3D CAD for mechanical parts, assemblies, and drawings, with add-ons for simulation, sheet metal, plastics, and data management.
SOLIDWORKS is a parametric, feature-based 3D CAD program from Dassault Systèmes used by product-development teams, contract engineers, and manufacturers for parts, assemblies, and 2D drawings. Packages and add-ons cover simulation, plastics and mold-flow analysis, electrical routing and product data management (PDM).
Where it bites: it runs on Windows desktops, licenses are a recurring cost, and files are proprietary, so collaborating with outside engineers and suppliers means agreeing on versions (newer files generally don't open fully in older releases) or exchanging neutral formats such as STEP. Without PDM or disciplined file management, assembly references break and revisions get confused.
Outside help is worth it for manufacturability reviews, cleaning up models inherited from freelancers, producing drawings with proper GD&T for suppliers, and moving data between CAD systems.
Common requests
- Design for manufacturing reviews of parts and assemblies
- Drawings with GD&T for suppliers
- Cleaning up inherited models and assemblies
- STEP and DXF exchange with suppliers
- Sheet metal and plastic part design
our team works in SOLIDWORKS
Founder takeaway
Agree CAD versions and exchange formats with every outside engineer and supplier before the first file changes hands.
official site: solidworks.com · Dassault Systèmes
sources
engineer review pending