Dassault also releases new solution experience for mechatronics.

Dassault Systems has introduced SolidWorks 2014, which delivers productivity and usability gains, the company says. Added mobility support for Android and iOS devices allows users to connect new 3D designs for mobile users.

“Our commitment is to deliver a product portfolio that recognises user feedback and protects users’ investments,” said Bertrand Sicot, CEO, SolidWorks, Dassault Systems. “We support our users’ drive for excellence by giving them the enhancements needed to validate and share their product design, regardless of whether it’s a device to help clean the environment or technology to save a life.”

The integrated product portfolio includes new tools and enhancements to shorten the design process, enhance collaboration and increase productivity across four key areas: design tools, integrated workflows, performance increases and enhanced visualization for improved collaboration.

New Style Spline functionality, automatic Sketch Picture scaling and Conic Fillet controls allow users to create complex surfaces and organic shapes faster, easier and with more precise control. New sheet metal features enable faster creation of sheet metal geometry and improved data output for manufacturing. Users gain improved control over corner treatments, the ability to create stiffening ribs such as the indented design seen on mounting brackets used to reinforce the weight and force placed on the part.

Workflows are more integrated and streamlined, and Enterprise PDM and eDrawings allow users to share and track electrical designs more easily.

Users are able to cost parts faster with less setup, then share cost data more effectively with their business value chain. For example, key product development data for assembly can now be sent to Microsoft Excel, allowing for easy sharing with departments such as manufacturing and purchasing.

Dassault also announced the launch of “Smarter, Faster, Lighter,” a new solution experience that coordinates a company’s mechanical, electronic and software innovations.

Based on Dassault’s 3DExperience platform, the solution experience improves the development cycle from first concepts to first article manufacturing, the company says. It provides fine-grain information exchange and collaboration in real-time between engineering teams.

It provides single place to maintain all electronic, mechanical and software development data, from specifications, 3D models and analysis results to manufacturing requirements; the ability to efficiently modularise and reuse existing designs while minimizing redundant product variations; unified end-to-end design processes; and seamless concurrent collaboration with partners and suppliers.

“The consumer electronics market is in a period of rapid evolution and manufacturers are under tremendous competitive pressure to be the first to market with unique and differentiated products. However, a successful product quickly attracts copycat products from the competition,” said Monica Menghini, executive vice president, industries and marketing, Dassault.

“To stay ahead of the competition, manufacturers must constantly enhance their products and support emerging technologies. The Smarter, Faster, Lighter industry solution experience spans first concept to first article, achieving the right design the first time, and providing the right consumer experience ahead of the competition.”

The new features
Here, in no particular order, are the most often user-requested new features and changes coming to SolidWorks 2014.

Advanced shape control – New Style Spline functionality, automatic Sketch Picture scaling and Conic Fillet controls allow users to create complex surfaces and organic shapes faster, easier and with more precise control.

Faster drawing detailing – Interface improvements make it faster to edit and annotate.
Sheet Metal Improvements – New sheet metal features enable faster creation of sheet metal geometry and improved data output for manufacturing. Users gain improved control over corner treatments, the ability to create stiffening ribs such as the indented design seen on mounting brackets used to reinforce the weight and force placed on the part.

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM workflow – Recently promoted senior VP Aaron Kelly calls PDM “structured collaboration”. This year PDM gains a new Microsoft Office integration and graphical preview in the web client.

SolidWorks electrical improvements – Enhanced integration with PDM and eDrawings allows users to optimise, share and track electrical designs more easily for improved project collaboration.

eDrawings on Android – New eDrawings support for Android devices.

Streamlined cost estimating and reporting – Users are able to cost parts faster with less setup, then share cost data more effectively with their business value chain. For example, key product development data for assembly can now be sent to Microsoft Excel allowing for sharing with departments such as manufacturing and purchasing.

Streamlined simulation setup – Simulation automatically leverages engineering data for re-use in simulations, eliminating duplication of effort.

Enhanced assembly performance and visualisation – SolidWorks 2014 creates assemblies faster using new in-context Quick Mate and Slot Mate features. For assembly in section views, users can include or exclude selected components allowing for a fast creation of more impressive section views.

For more information contact the local agents Mecad on TEL: 086 111 2236, www.mecad.co.za