DesignPoint Blog

Reasons to Use SOLIDWORKS

Posted on September 15, 2021September 15, 2021 by DesignPoint

SOLIDWORKS - when efficiency and trust matter most. Whether you want to invest in new CAD software or replace your existing one, make SOLIDWORKS your first choice. It’s one of the best-loved and most popular CAD software used globally, offers streamlined workflows, and is cloud-based. But that’s not all. Here are some more reasons to [...] Read more...

Working with Display States

Posted on September 14, 2021September 14, 2021 by Karley Hildin

Display States are a great way to control the visual properties of our models in SOLIDWORKS. Think of them as the visual settings’ sibling to configurations – we can create different display states of our assemblies to modify the visual settings of specific components. It seems most users do not take advantage of this versatile [...] Read more...

Design 3D Models for 3D Printing & New Prototypes

Posted on September 7, 2021September 8, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

3D design solutions: Create successful 3D models for your prototype. Do you crave geometric freedom, a process to create better designs, and prototypes with better utilization? Do you wish to reduce waste material in your manufacturing process? Then 3D printing is the way to go. 3D design solutions allow you to create inexpensive and yet [...] Read more...

Tips and Tricks: How to Work Offline with SOLIDWORKS PDM

Posted on September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management keeps your team together online and offline. SOLIDWORKS PDM is the perfect UTM to keep everyone and everything organized. But what happens if you get disconnected from the network? Or when the vault is undergoing regular maintenance? Thankfully, you don’t have to connect to the vault or to the VPN to [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS PDM Quick Reference

Posted on August 24, 2021August 24, 2021 by Colleen Moore

PDM Users Basic Refresher Learning how to use a data management system can be daunting at first, but those of us who have used one for a while know that it just takes practice. This quick reference sheet can help reinforce the training you have received from DesignPoint when setting up your PDM system or [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Quick Reference

Posted on August 24, 2021August 24, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Here’s a Tip, You can Always Improve! Here at DesignPoint we know that you should never stop learning. I have used SOLIDWORKS for over 10 years and I still learn things all the time. Some things are so important that they change the way I use SOLIDWORKS, and I cannot remember life without them. Some [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up Part 4: Running your Simulation [Video]

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 by Julio Calles

Welcome back to Part 4 of our SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up! There is so much more that happens when you simply click “Run” to execute your SOLIDWORKS Simulation. DesignPoint Application Engineer Julio Calles dives into the available SOLIDWORKS Simulation solvers, as well as sharing how we can control what happens to our simulation result files. [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up Part 3: Meshing your Model [Video]

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 by Julio Calles

Welcome back to Part 3 of our SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up! SOLIDWORKS Simulation uses a process known as discretization, also known as meshing, where it breaks down your part’s volume into very small pieces which are known as elements. It has been established that properly defining and understanding your mesh can lead to higher accuracy [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up Part 2: Defining SOLIDWORKS Simulation Contacts [Video]

Posted on August 13, 2021August 17, 2021 by Julio Calles

Welcome back to Part 2 of our SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up! Defining simulation contacts are one of the most important steps during the setup of an FEA study within an assembly. Simulation contacts help the software understand how parts interact with one another. Going through this process can sometimes become challenging while trying to select [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up Part 1: Running your Simulation in SOLIDWORKS [Video]

Posted on August 13, 2021August 17, 2021 by Julio Calles

Welcome to the SOLIDWORKS Simulation Level Up – a four-part series full of tips and tricks to up your SOLIDWORKS Simulation game. Our first installment walks you through how to get SOLIDWORKS Simulation up and running quickly. If you are new to SOLIDWORKS Simulation and are looking for some help to get started then you [...] Read more...

Basics of SOLIDWORKS PDM Every Beginner Should Know

Posted on August 2, 2021August 9, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

SOLIDWORKS PDM Getting Started Guide Are you learning how to get started with using SOLIDWORKS PDM? Congratulations! You are about to embark on a fantastic journey. Here, we cover some things a beginner must know about SOLIDWORKS PDM to get started successfully. Like with most other things, understanding the basics will help you achieve mastery [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Sketching Tips: Construction Lines

Posted on July 22, 2021July 20, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Construct a Better Design Construction lines have always been part of engineering drawings. But in a program like SOLIDWORKS they do more than simply show information - they are also a powerful design tool. We wanted to share with you some of our favorite ways to make construction lines so that you can get even [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS PDM Quick Tip: the ‘Show Where the Variable is Used’ Tool

Posted on July 21, 2021July 20, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Tracking Down Your Variables Have you ever needed to track down where one of your variables is used in SOLIDWORKS PDM? There is a helpful resource in the PDM Administration Tool that lets you see where a variable has been used. It has a fairly self-explanatory name: Show Where the Variable is Used. Let’s use [...] Read more...

Power User: Andrew Reuther, Reut Design

Posted on July 20, 2021July 20, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Andrew Reuther of Reut Design is a car enthusiast who has put his passion into action. He has made a career of designing custom car parts to upgrade vehicles of all kinds and more. In this Power User interview, we ask him about what, at first, appears to be a simple design of a shift [...] Read more...

Using SOLIDWORKS xDesign for Additive Manufacturing Prototypes

Posted on July 19, 2021July 29, 2021 by Dan Lawrence

It’s no secret that additive manufacturing has caused a shift in the manufacturing industry. 3D printing allows for greater complexity and flexibility in the geometry that can be produced while also being a cost efficient and rapid process. Similarly, the world of design is also on the cusp of change. Companies are beginning to search [...] Read more...

Comparing the Top Metal 3D Printers [Infographic]

Posted on July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 by Adrian Pastore

Metal 3D printers can fundamentally change the way designers and manufacturers do business. Their ability to produce strong, durable parts even when the part requires complex geometries can reduce supply chain reliance and increase productivity and profitability. So, really, the decision you need to make isn’t about whether or not to buy a Metal 3D [...] Read more...

Should You Invest in a 3D Printer or Use a 3D Printing Service? [Infographic]

Posted on June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 by Lorenza Jerez

Every company will have a different answer to this question. Their decision will need to factor in their needs surrounding Cost, Time and Application. Here’s a handy guide to fuel your decision making. If you decide a 3D Printer is the right investment, DesignPoint is here to help you choose the best one for your business. If [...] Read more...

Is the Story of Your Life A Good Read? How to Turn Your Life into a Real Page Turner

Posted on June 11, 2021June 11, 2021 by Adrian Pastore

If you wrote a story about your life, would you enjoy reading it? Sure, there would be some page-turning tidbits – travel to interesting locales, quality time with family and friends, perhaps even some romantic intrigue.... But I’m not talking about a Cliff Notes version of your life. Let’s be honest: a true accounting of [...] Read more...

Which is Better: Simulation Consulting Vs. In-House Simulation Tools?

Posted on June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Simulation consulting or in-house simulation tools for your 3D design solution? Make the right choice. Are you worried about how your 3D design solution will work in a real-life environment? That’s simple – you have two choices. You can hire a simulation consulting service or use in-house simulation tools to test your 3D design. But [...] Read more...

Differences of Standard and Professional SOLIDWORKS CAD

Posted on May 25, 2021July 18, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Standard or Professional? Which SOLIDWORKS 3D design product is best for you? Every year, SOLIDWORKS makes changes and additions to its products. With each upgrade, SOLIDWORKS 3D design products make the lives of engineers and designers easier. The three products – Standard, Professional, and Premium, are bursting with features. But which product will best suit [...] Read more...

3D Printing MRO Parts [Video]

Posted on May 24, 2021May 24, 2021 by Andrew Garchik

Maintenance Repair Operations (MROs) often need parts fast and at a reasonable cost. That’s why they are increasingly turning to in-house 3D Printing to reduce production times and increase their savings over traditional methods. In this video. DesignPoint Application Engineer Andrew Garchik discusses 3D Printing MRO parts and why it’s advantageous over traditional manufacturing. Several [...] Read more...

4 Reasons to Love 3D Metal Printing

Posted on May 12, 2021May 26, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

3D printers are an excellent choice for manufacturers. Here’s a look at why we love 3D metal printing. Now and then, a new technology disrupts the way things are done. 3D printers for manufacturers is one such technology. The invention of the 3D printer has made it possible for manufacturers across industries to create complex [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Forum Moves to 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

Posted on May 7, 2021May 7, 2021 by Abigail Barnhart

What happened to the SOLIDWORKS Forum?! The SOLIDWORKS Forum is a place where SOLIDWORKS users can post questions and tips to get feedback from others in the CAD community. You might have come across the forum while searching an error message or a “how to” question on Google. It was previously on forum.solidworks.com. Recently, the [...] Read more...

Ask an Engineer – 3D Printing a Hybrid Part [Video]

Posted on May 5, 2021May 5, 2021 by Andrew Garchik

In this episode of Ask an Engineer, our engineers Brelan and Andrew discuss a hybrid part printed in 17-4 stainless steel and carbon-reinforced composite. They discuss the different features of the part including the benefits of using multiple materials, conformal coolant channels, using after-market hardware, and more! Read more...

Using Surfaces to Fix Solid Models [Video]

Posted on April 28, 2021April 26, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Solid models that come from imported geometry are hard to change, especially when the end goal is a smooth transition of two faces. That’s when combining surfacing techniques and solid modeling really comes in handy. In this video we’ll show how to start with imported geometry, trim away what we do not want, and then [...] Read more...

Notifications and Revisions In PDM Standard [Video]

Posted on April 27, 2021April 26, 2021 by Colleen Moore

Level Up SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard With These Tips Are you a SOLIDWORKS PDM Admins looking to take your configuration to the next level by adding some additional process automation? Well then this video is for you! Viewers will first learn how to send notifications to themselves and colleagues depending on actions taken on files and [...] Read more...

Know How 2D DraftSight Enhances 3D Design Tools

Posted on April 23, 2021April 22, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Discover How 2D DraftSight Enhances 3D Design Tools DraftSight: Seamlessly integrate with other 3D design solutions. There are times when you need to work with a screwdriver- then there are times when you will need a hammer to complete a job. Sometimes, you need both these tools, and you can’t work with either one of [...] Read more...

Building Trust and Confidence to Accelerate Your Data in the Cloud

Posted on April 26, 2021April 26, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Your cloud-based data can be an accelerator with data management software and strategy. Until recently, and before the emergence of data management software, the power of data rested mainly in the hands of a few analysts. Those analysts had the skills necessary to understand, organize, crunch, and interpret data for their organization. Today, data is [...] Read more...

CNC vs. 3D Printing: What’s the Best Way to Make Your Production Part?

Posted on April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

CNC machining and 3D printing production parts – two fantastic new-age technologies to create complex engineered parts. CNC machine and 3D printing - two powerful technologies in their own rights with extensive production part manufacturing capabilities. Both CNC machining and 3D printing have changed the world of manufacturing. But which is better - CNC machining [...] Read more...

Render Tools: How and When?

Posted on April 20, 2021April 20, 2021 by Nathan Kabakjian

Rendering your SOLIDWORKS projects gives you more than just an edge over your competitors. It also allows you to: Nail down finish and color options Reach manufacturing decisions faster Provide a platform for customer feedback without producing a single unit Anyone who has looked will agree there are a myriad of rendering solutions available today, [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Mold Drafting Tips [Video]

Posted on April 14, 2021April 14, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

A customer recently asked for help adding draft to a complex model in SOLIDWORKS. We were thrilled to help and dove into the options for resolving this issue. After testing various methods, we solved the issue with a simple and effective method. We were happy to help our customer, and we thought it would be [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Toolbox 102

Posted on April 13, 2021April 12, 2021 by Karley Hildin

How to Efficiently Use Your Toolbox Components Welcome to SOLIDWORKS Toolbox 102 – the sequel to Part 1 of our Toolbox series. If you haven’t checked out Toolbox 101 (How to set up and configure your Toolbox), feel free to read it first. For part 2, I’ll be showing you how to efficiently use your [...] Read more...

Carbon Fiber 3D Printing [White Paper]

Posted on April 12, 2021April 30, 2021 by DesignPoint

Carbon fiber 3D printing has been around for quite some time but it’s only recently been trending in the additive space. It’s rise to fame as a reliable and innovative material has unfortunately been clouded by too many manufacturers rushing to capitalize on the term “carbon fiber 3D printing”. You see, the truth is that not all [...] Read more...

NASA JPL’s Team CoSTAR [White Paper]

Posted on April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 by DesignPoint

Team CoSTAR is one of ten elite teams participating in Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) three-year, four-part Subterranean Challenge, working with robotics to meet environmental challenges. The team is an alliance between the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and [...] Read more...

3D Printing Hybrid Parts

Posted on April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 by Dan Lawrence

Hybrid Parts, The Best of Both Worlds Additive Manufacturing is already making an impact on the manufacturing industry and it is not slowing down any time soon. Companies like our partners over at Markforged are continuing to push the limits of 3D printing and developing new materials that were previously never even discussed in the [...] Read more...

Market Research in the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Summary [Infographic]

Posted on April 1, 2021April 1, 2021 by Abigail Barnhart

A product won’t sell unless your customers want it. You could make the world’s most perfect Widget. But if no one wants or needs the Widget it will collect dust on your stockroom shelves. So how do you figure out what your customers want? Market Research. Market Research provides critical insight into the needs and [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Toolbox 101

Posted on March 31, 2021March 31, 2021 by Karley Hildin

Recently at DesignPoint we have received an influx of questions regarding the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox; how to customize it, best practices for setting one up, how to share it, etc. So, we wanted to create some resources to help you form a better understanding of Toolbox functionality, and how you can use it to optimize efficiency [...] Read more...

Top 4 Startup Tips for Toolbox

Posted on March 25, 2021March 31, 2021 by Dan Wang

The SOLIDWORKS Toolbox is a valuable part of SOLIDWORKS Professional and is a great asset to increase efficiency and leverage industry standards. This universal tool is best used companywide with everyone setup the same way. We will be covering the top 4 startup tips to get SOLIDWORKS Toolbox running smoothly. Here is the top 4 [...] Read more...

The Evolution of Data Management Software

Posted on March 8, 2021March 4, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

The evolution of enterprise data management software requirements Here's a look at why and how enterprise data management software has evolved. Over the years, we have witnessed data management software evolve. That can be attributed to companies' realizing the value of their data and the importance of making their data more accessible and meaningful. But [...] Read more...

5 Major 3D Printing Trends Expected in 2021

Posted on March 5, 2021March 4, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

In 2021, 3D printing (for example, 3D printing for production parts) helps manufacturing companies move toward new ways of thinking, doing, and making better choices. When 3D printing was first introduced sometime in the 1980s, it stirred up a revolution. Over the last four decades, the 3D industry has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, [...] Read more...

Four Reasons Why You Need SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional

Posted on March 4, 2021March 4, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

PDM Standard or PDM Professional - which SOLIDWORKS product data management software does your company need? Don’t settle for a basic solution until you’ve read why you might need a more robust solution like PDM Professional. From protecting your bottom line to supporting your company's long-term vision, investing in SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional – the professional-level [...] Read more...

7 Easy Steps to Keep Your Projects on Track and on Time

Posted on March 3, 2021March 3, 2021 by Adrian Pastore

There’s an old saying that goes: “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. That may still be true for the mice. But we humans have learned a few tactics that keep our ventures on the straight and narrow. We call them Project Management skills, and they are more easily mastered than [...] Read more...

Should You Hire or Train [Infographic]

Posted on March 1, 2021March 30, 2021 by Adrian Pastore

Business is busy and expanding into new opportunities. That’s a good thing, right? It definitely is if your team has the capacity and skillsets to keep up with the work. But today’s business demands are constantly changing, and your team may not have the necessary skills to meet this new normal. If they aren’t, you [...] Read more...

What’s the Best Method to Create SOLIDWORKS Configurations?

Posted on February 15, 2021February 15, 2021 by Dan Lawrence

If you are a SOLIDWORKS user, you’ve probably noticed that there are a million and one ways to do EVERYTHING. Whether it be creating a sketch, a feature, inserting a component, or even just opening a file. This post is going to talk about the 3 main ways of creating configurations of your models: Manually [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Design Tables 4 Tips to “Excel” your Designs

Posted on February 12, 2021February 15, 2021 by Dan Lawrence

SOLIDWORKS design tables can be incredibly powerful tools for automating and creating configurations. Even the most basic design tables have the potential to save designers hours or even days of tedious modeling. As you probably know, a design table in SOLIDWORKS is just an embedded Microsoft Excel table. This is important because it means that [...] Read more...

Power User: Paul Hillman

Posted on February 10, 2021March 5, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Customizing Manage for Any Business Database with Paul Hillman, Technical Specialist Paul Hillman partnered with DesignPoint in implementing Manage for his company. This initial step of working with a trusted partner and investing in new technology has led Paul to an in-depth competency and love for problem solving in Manage. DesignPoint’s Andrew Parkhurst was thankful [...] Read more...

Getting Real About ERP Systems and Data Management [Video]

Posted on February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

If your company has an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system or is thinking about getting one this is a great video to check out and learn how the ERP works seamlessly with SOLIDWORKS Data Management solutions, including PDM and Manage. Enjoy this lighthearted discussion and prepare to learn a ton! What else would you expect [...] Read more...

Saving a High Resolution STL File for 3D Printing

Posted on February 5, 2021February 5, 2021 by Lorenza Jerez

View, download, save, or simply reference this 3D Printing document. For far too long, our customers have shared their struggles when it comes to exporting STLs the right way. Usually, they create their STL, don’t think twice about the export, and then become frustrated with their 3D Printed part because it doesn’t meet their resolution [...] Read more...

Benefits of Designing with Solidworks 3D CAD Software

Posted on February 1, 2021February 3, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Solidworks is known for its innovation in the design and engineering space. That’s why—if you’re looking to improve workflow, reduce errors, and improve collaboration between you and your team—using Solidworks 3D CAD modeling software is the way to go. Not only is all Solidworks software up to date with modern standards, but the company is [...] Read more...

Solidworks Simulation 2021 – Quick, Dependable, & Precise Results

Posted on February 1, 2021February 3, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

When it comes to innovative design solutions, Solidworks repeatedly earns the reputation of being an industry leader. As such, the company has been improving the way users produce simulations for quite some time. The latest improvements to the Solidworks Simulation Flow are the most impressive yet! This version will allow you to compute design changes [...] Read more...

DriveWorks Solo Spotlight [Video]

Posted on January 25, 2021February 3, 2021 by Ryan Mack

DriveWorks Solo is a powerful tool that allows you to automate the design and production of manufacturing drawings of complex assemblies. Pre-defined options and parameters are tailored to your company’s needs by utilizing the DriveWorks Solo configuration tool. Check out our video to learn about running and designing a DriveWorks Solo project. And visit our [...] Read more...

How to be Smooth in SOLIDWORKS – 3 Helpful Spline Tips

Posted on January 25, 2021February 4, 2021 by Karley Hildin

If you are a regular SOLIDWORKS user and looking for different options to create smoother splines in your sketches… you came to the right place. In this article I will take a deep dive into three of the advanced spline tools available in SOLIDWORKS. Perhaps you didn’t know they existed, or maybe you use them [...] Read more...

The Truth About Hiring Consultants

Posted on January 11, 2021January 7, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

When it comes to business strategy, it may seem like an easy enough task at first glance. But the truth is, most businesses do not have the time, or the capacity, or the internal team members in place to be able to do strategic planning well. Often, leadership is harried, running from one meeting to [...] Read more...

2021 Business Strategy for Manufacturers

Posted on January 8, 2021February 3, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

What Business Strategy Will Look Like for Manufacturers in 2021 With 2020 coming to a close, many of us—including businesses (and their leadership teams, in particular)—are looking forward to a brighter year ahead. After all the challenges this year brought, we are hoping that the next chapter will be a healthier, happier, and more vibrant [...] Read more...

2021 Top Manufacturing Trends

Posted on January 7, 2021January 7, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

After the challenges of the last 12 months, we are all excited to welcome a new year. Finally, 2021 is here! While we are as ready as the next to usher in the new, we first want to take a moment to look back. There are some key lessons that we can carry powerfully forward. [...] Read more...

Reducing Material Usage with SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional

Posted on December 30, 2020February 3, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Reducing Material Usage with SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional When you use SOLIDWORKS Simulation, you can validate a design before you finalize any drawings. As a designer, this is an amazing tool to have at your fingertips. Not only can you reduce errors and test your designs right inside the software, but now, with SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional, [...] Read more...

Your 3D Drawings and 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight

Posted on December 29, 2020February 3, 2021 by DesignPoint Team

Your Drawings and 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight The “digital transformation” has indeed transformed many industries. Drafting and design are certainly one of them, in many ways, but physical paper plans and drawings are still standard across many businesses. Is your company one of them? If so (and perhaps even if not), there is likely a room or [...] Read more...

Improve Your Designs with SOLIDWORKS Draft and Wrap Features

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

How SOLIDWORKS Draft and Wrap Features Improve Your Designs When it comes to 3D modeling software, SOLIDWORKS is king. The innovative, integrated software solution offers various robust features to accommodate even the most intricate models. What happens when you’re working with truly unique geometry, though? It might seem to get a bit more challenging to [...] Read more...

Share Files Externally with the 3DEXPERIENCE 3DDrive [Video]

Posted on November 25, 2020November 24, 2020 by Abigail Barnhart

How do you currently share files with your customers, vendors, or contractors? If your files are too large to send over email, you’re likely using a cloud storage solution such as Dropbox or Google Drive. But wouldn’t it be nice to have an easier and more interactive way for your clients to view and provide [...] Read more...

Project and Data Management in the Cloud [Video]

Posted on November 20, 2020November 19, 2020 by Abigail Barnhart

What has held you back from integrating project and/or data management tools in the past? Was it because you had to host your own server? The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform offers cloud solutions to both project and data management. These solutions do not require additional server software or hardware. That’s the beauty of the cloud! In this [...] Read more...

The Benefits of SOLIDWORKS Manage [Video]

Posted on November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 by Andrew Parkhurst

SOLIDWORKS Manage is the next step in integrating the benefits of data management even further for your business. It works with PDM Professional to give you an inside look at how projects and resources are being utilized in real time. This versatile tool will act as a full business solution for database management so your [...] Read more...

Easy Ways to Improve 3D Design Engineering Efficiency

Posted on November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

3 Easy Ways to Improve 3D Design Engineering Efficiency In reality, design engineering efficiency is not driven solely by the actions of engineers. It is data-driven. Engineers can only work as fast as their data and systems allow them. If data is not easily accessible, well organized and simple to understand and apply, design engineering [...] Read more...

Helping Engineering 3D CAD Firms Get Creative in Challenging Times

Posted on November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

3D CAD Modeling Software: Helping Engineering Firms Get Creative in Challenging Times In recent months, companies have had to get creative in how they operate. A worldwide pandemic has brought many businesses to a screeching halt. To be able to survive, businesses have had to adapt by shifting the way they do things and fast. [...] Read more...

3D Printing: Biggest Myths and Misconceptions

Posted on November 16, 2020November 17, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

3D Printing: The 5 Biggest Myths and Misconceptions 3D Printers for manufacturers (and a multitude of other industries) are quite literally changing the world. These innovative printers create 3D parts, individual components, and much more. 3D Printers are cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly than the subtractive manufacturing approaches of the past. They require fewer [...] Read more...

DriveWorks Xpress Spotlight [Video]

Posted on November 10, 2020November 17, 2020 by Ryan Mack

DriveWorks Xpress is a free product within SOLIDWORKS that introduces you to the world of design automation. It allows us to quickly generate new versions of SOLIDWORKS parts, drawings, and assemblies. In this video spotlight, we walk through just one of the many model generation results we can create with the robust tools within DriveWorks [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Manage-ing Your Team

Posted on November 10, 2020November 17, 2020 by George Noble

What is SOLIDWORKS Manage? SOLIDWORKS Manage is a new tool that combines data management with powerful project, process, and item management capabilities inside of interactive dashboards and reports. This is the next step for customers who are already enjoying the benefits of PDM Professional and want to take their business systems to the next level. [...] Read more...

3D Printing Solutions for Corrosive Environments

Posted on November 10, 2020November 17, 2020 by Andrew Parkhurst

Corrosion in Toxic Environments Corrosive environments are a challenge to think outside of the box and explore solutions that save time and money in the long run. If your company is facing a design challenge where corrosion can affect lifetime performance, it might be time to consider how 3D printing can offer more solutions than [...] Read more...

When Customization is Key, DriveWorks Configurator is King

Posted on November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

How DriveWorks Creates and Configures Custom Products Businesses at the top of their game know that Customization is Key. The ability to quickly create customized orders differentiates you from your competitors and builds brand devotion from your customers. But customization shouldn’t come at a cost to your business’s bottom line. Learn how you can save [...] Read more...

5 Questions to Ask a Growth Advisor [Infographic]

Posted on November 5, 2020February 11, 2021 by Lorenza Jerez

You’ve made the first and most important step – deciding to get an outsider’s view of your business. It was definitely the right decision – a fresh pair of eyes can do wonders. But how do you know whom to trust with your most precious commodity? It’s as easy as asking the right questions. Check [...] Read more...

Ask an Engineer – Applications with Continuous Fibers [Video]

Posted on November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 by Andrew Garchik

In this episode of Ask an Engineer, Andrew and Brelan discuss using continuous fiber in composite 3D Printing. Utilizing continuous fiber allows the user to customize their material by adding desired qualities such as strength, heat deflection, and impact resistance. They also share parts that were printed using fibers and review which applications are best [...] Read more...

Forming Sheet Metal Flanges

Posted on November 3, 2020November 3, 2020 by Ryan Mack

INTRODUCTION Sheet metal design can be a complex design process! Today, lets focus on how we can use and manipulate geometry in SOLIDWORKS to create sheet metal bodies with some stepped edge flanges. ADDING EDGE FLANGES Edge Flanges can be used to add an attached wall to any sheet metal body. The edge flange will [...] Read more...

Ask an Engineer – ADAM AM Metal Process [Video]

Posted on November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 by Andrew Garchik

(Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing) Welcome back to Ask an Engineer! In this episode Andrew and Brelan discuss the Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) metal printing process and its different steps, including printing, washing, and sintering. Andrew talks about the special filament needed for this process and shows a part both in the green state (pre-sinter) [...] Read more...

Ask an Engineer – Fixing the Super Part [Video]

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by Andrew Garchik

3D Part Help In this episode of DesignPoint’s Ask an Engineer, SOLIDWORKS expert Brelan Blake helps 3D Printing tech Andrew Garchik iterate his CAD model to solve some printing issues on his “Super Part”. We cover the Super Part and all of its features, walk through the issues and solutions in SOLIDWORKS, and then prepare [...] Read more...

Ask an Engineer – Internal Channels [Video]

Posted on October 21, 2020October 22, 2020 by Andrew Garchik

Welcome back to our series, Ask an Engineer, where both sides of our business (SOLIDWORKS & 3D Printing) join forces and cover topics related to both. In this episode, our SOLIDWORKS expert Brelan Blake walks through how to add internal tear-dropped channels into a CAD model to avoid using support material in FDM 3D printing. Read more...

Leverage SOLIDWORKS in 3D Printing

Posted on October 21, 2020October 22, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

Leveraging SOLIDWORKS for 3D Printing 3D printing is taking the world by storm, metaphorically speaking. Much like a literal storm, this newer technology is causing sweeping changes across many widely varied industries. From manufacturing to marketing, 3D printers are absolutely changing the game. If you haven’t yet jumped on the 3D printing and SOLIDWORKS bandwagon, [...] Read more...

DriveWorksXpress – Automate Your Assemblies

Posted on October 20, 2020October 22, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

Automate Your Assemblies with DriveWorksXpress When you’re looking to create innovative assembly designs while also saving a bit of time, DriveWorksXpress is the way to go. It’s true; faster isn’t always better. This is often predominantly true when it comes to creating and configuring complex assemblies. But in this case, saving time is simply a [...] Read more...

Differences of 3D Modeling, CAD, and BIM

Posted on October 19, 2020October 22, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

What's the Difference Between 3D Modeling, CAD, and BIM? Not all that long ago, engineers and designers had to draft their designs by hand without a computer in sight…It is hard to imagine that now! Back in the day, whether they were designing a piece of furniture or a complex architectural wonder, designers began the [...] Read more...

Balance Your Workflow with SOLIDWORKS Manage

Posted on October 13, 2020October 13, 2020 by Adrian Pastore

Confession Alert: I have been feeling way out of balance lately. My schedule is full, yet constantly shifting. I’m working on multiple projects with multiple deadlines across multiple departments. And I can feel my blood pressure rising as I try to be the Master Multitasker that clearly I am not. With so many balls in [...] Read more...

What Mode Are You In? [Infographic]

Posted on October 7, 2020October 8, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

DesignPoint’s Growth Advisory Service Like life itself, your business will journey through many stages. And just as in life, it is easier to move through those stages when you have someone along for the ride. Don’t worry, we aren’t asking you to put a ring on it. No matter what mode your business is in, [...] Read more...

What is Customer Success Management?

Posted on October 1, 2020August 12, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

How Customer Service Management Conversations Ensure Your SuccessWhat Customer Success Management (CSM) Who Any DesignPoint SOLIDWORKS Subscription Customer When 1-Hour Meeting Quarterly Where and How Virtually As a valued member of the DesignPoint Customer Base we are offering a free service to connect engineers and share knowledge. We pride ourselves on being a small company [...] Read more...

Power User: Rusty Renkel

Posted on October 5, 2020October 5, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

Electronics Shielding and Advanced Cable Routing with Rusty Renkel Rusty Renkel Senior Mechanical Engineer Pentek, Inc. A User doesn’t get more Powerful than one who has been working on SOLIDWORKS since 1996. Pentek Inc.’s Senior Mechanical Engineer Rusty Renkel is a SOLIDWORKS powerhouse, utilizing solid modeling, sheet metaling, thermal simulation, cable routing, visualization and more. [...] Read more...

Applications for Metal 3D Printing

Posted on September 18, 2020September 23, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

Top 3 Applications for 3D Printing with Metal Fabricating with metal used to be an in-depth process that required many resources (time, effort, raw materials, an experienced workforce, complex machinery, and money). The more complicated part, the more resources were required to produce it. However, with the evolution of manufacturing technology and equipment, metal fabrication [...] Read more...

Getting Started in the Platform with the CBI Role

Posted on September 21, 2020September 30, 2020 by Abigail Barnhart

What is the Platform? One login that gives you the ability to collaborate with team members in all departments inside and outside of your company, while keeping your data secure. There is no need to connect to a VPN or take on the costs of server hardware/software. Everything is cloud-based and can be accessed from [...] Read more...

3 Segments of the Aerospace and Defense Industry Adapt to A Changing Market

Posted on September 15, 2020September 15, 2020 by Adrian Pastore

Birds Flying High – 3D Printing in the Sky The Aerospace and Defense industry has had an interesting time of it lately. Even before the pandemic hit, the industry known for soaring expansion was experiencing a rare downturn. But those who are known for innovation see every challenge as an opportunity. Aerospace Original Equipment Manufacturers, [...] Read more...

Electrify Your Understanding of DriveWorks Xpress

Posted on September 15, 2020September 9, 2020 by Ryan Mack

INTRODUCTION Do you have designs that are the same, but can be manufactured in different ways? Are you still using design tables and configurations to automate your designs? This blog post is going to explore an electrical enclosure assembly that was designed with DriveWorks to illustrate how DriveWorks can be your one-stop solution to design [...] Read more...

Creating Complex Shapes in the 3DX Platform [Video]

Posted on September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 by Abigail Barnhart

Complex surfaces can take a lot of time and expertise. This video shows how to model a curvy part around an existing SOLIDWORKS file using subdivision modeling. The demo uses xShape, an app only found in the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. xShape allows the user to utilize push, pull, and pinch motions to manipulate a subdivision primitive [...] Read more...

Future of Cloud Computing in Business

Posted on September 10, 2020September 2, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

The Future of Your Business Might Be in the Cloud The future of business is online, and that future is now. Cloud-based businesses and support functions are evolving and quickly becoming the norm across many industries. Even if you are not "in the cloud" currently, your business's future will likely be there. It’s no matter [...] Read more...

Basics of Design Automation and CAD Customization

Posted on September 10, 2020September 2, 2020 by DesignPoint Team

The 411 on Design Automation and CAD Customization In the not-so-distant past, the design process was exceedingly resource intensive. It took a lot of time, expertise, and effort to draft designs on paper. Those paper designs were then rendered into prototypes, which often failed and had to be reimagined and reproduced until the design was [...] Read more...

Importing Vendor STEP Files [Video]

Posted on September 9, 2020April 26, 2021 by Andrew Parkhurst

Reducing Complexity to Optimize Performance When working with large assemblies optimizing performance is always the goal. Sometimes files from outside your company can really bog down the speed and capability of your large assemblies. In a previous video, I went over how to work with downloaded SOLIDWORKS files from online vendors. In this follow up [...] Read more...

DriveWorks vs. Design Tables

Posted on September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 by Ryan Mack

SOLIDWORKS design tables boost your productivity by allowing you to build multiple configurations of parts or assemblies by specifying parameters in an embedded Microsoft Excel worksheet. You might be thinking, why do I need DriveWorks if I am already saving time in SOLIDWORKS by using design tables? DriveWorks can help automate repetitive tasks, re-use existing [...] Read more...

Customizing SOLIDWORKS

Posted on September 8, 2020September 1, 2020 by Karley Hildin

Making SOLIDWORKS Work for YOU Imagine unlocking your cell phone and seeing the default home screen appear with only a couple of options– texting, calling, and contacts… my first thought would be, “where the heck did all my games go?!” In today’s world, product customization is essential for the different, ever-changing needs of each user. [...] Read more...

Piping and Tubing: Successful Routes [Webinar]

Posted on September 5, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

Are you stuck creating routes, or doing it the old fashion way using a Swept Boss? Maybe you just want more information about what a route is and how to do it efficiently in SOLIDWORKS? SOLIDWORKS routing is an add-in package that allows you to automate the process of routing, whether it be with piping [...] Read more...

Assembly Performance [Webinar]

Posted on September 5, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

Large Assemblies are supposed to run slower, right? Well maybe not as slow as you think. There are proven approaches to get the most out of your current hardware and make sure you're not falling into pitfalls of inefficiency. We want to provide you with a basic understanding of why SOLIDWORKS gets bogged down by [...] Read more...

Function Feature: Advanced Fillets [Webinar]

Posted on September 4, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

Fillets are some of the trickiest and most mysterious features to work with in SOLIDWORKS. In this webinar, we will be discussing some advanced filleting techniques that are available, as well as some tips to help clean up their appearances. Read more...

Evaluate Tab [Webinar]

Posted on September 4, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

There’s a tab in SOLIDWORKS with many goodies for your models. This tab can help you better analyze and understand your models. Watch our webinar and find out how you can leverage this underutilized gem. Read more...

SOLIDWORKS PDM: Intro to Dispatch [Webinar]

Posted on September 3, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

Have you tried automating manual tasks within SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management (PDM)? Dispatch, enables you to tackle this seamlessly! The built-in PDM add-in, gives you greater flexibility to customize and configure your vault the way you want! This webinar will go over the basic fundamentals of Dispatch and allow you to start creating your own [...] Read more...

DriveWorks XPress [Webinar]

Posted on September 2, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

You've heard of configurators, and maybe even used them. What is DriveWorksXpress and why is it better than a configurator? We want to show you how to quickly create configurations of your products and reduce repetitive tasks.This webinar will give an overview of DriveWorksXpress and its features, how to activate, training resources, and more. Stay [...] Read more...

SOLIDWORKS Troubleshooting [Webinar]

Posted on September 2, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

In this session, we’ll provide instruction on methods and techniques to hone your detective skills and catch some of SOLIDWORKS’ most dastardly offenders. Step out of the role as John Watson and become your own SOLIDlock Holmes! Read more...

Leveraging Inspection [Webinar]

Posted on September 1, 2020September 1, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

The inspection process can be monotonous and time-consuming. SOLIDWORKS Inspection automates the formatting, ballooning, creation of reports, and more to enhance the quality control process. This webinar highlights the automated features within engineering drawings for potential users and dives into template tips for existing users. Read more...

Going Paperless With Solidworks PDM [Webinar]

Posted on August 25, 2020August 20, 2020 by Lorenza Jerez

Interested in moving to a paperless system? Do you want to reduce the amount of time it takes for document approvals? Within SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management (PDM), we will show you how to setup Microsoft Office documents for electronic data entry and approvals. This will cover the basics, as well as showcase automation tools such [...] Read more...