Electrical

Laitram Machinery Advances Food-Processing Equipment Design

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:05:00 GMT

Before automation, peeling, deveining, washing, and grading shrimp relied heavily on manual labor, resulting in limited throughput, inconsistent product quality, and difficulty scaling production. Moving delicate seafood flesh through a machine without damaging the product while maintaining quality control is a considerable engineering challenge. Laitram Machinery took on that challenge with gusto many years ago. The New Orleans company’s roots trace to J.M. Lapeyre’s early work on automated shrimp peeling, including the Model A Peeler introduced in 1949. More than 75 years later, Laitram Machinery designs, manufactures, and services automated systems for peeling, deveining, grading, blanching, cooking, and pasteurizing warm- and cold-water shrimp. Seafood processing equipment is evolving from primarily mechanical machinery into smarter, more complex systems that integrate motion, electrical logic, vision systems, sensor inputs, and machine data and controls. For manufacturers, the challenge is no longer simply making a machine work: It is designing equipment with mechanical and electrical systems that operate harmoniously and with greater precision, speed, and reliability. More Logic in the Machine Evolving food processing equipment creates additional design challenges. Even more moving parts must fit together without colliding. Electrical systems must be coordinated with mechanically designed enclosures. Potential interferences must be discovered before manufacturing, or time, product, and money will be wasted, and delivery dates missed. In addition,, R&D-driven machinery creates an environment where design change is no longer the exception but the rule. It is an integral part of the process, so engineering teams and their product development technologies need to be nimble. According to Laitram Mechanical Designer Cody Beckemeyer, “The evolution of the machines has definitely moved into a smarter area. They used to be primarily mechanical, but now we’re incorporating more logic and controls into them. We have a lot of moving pieces internally and externally, and SOLIDWORKS® has helped us manage that complexity.” Faster Electrical Design Changes Laitram Machinery uses SOLIDWORKS Design for mechanical design work, including models, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, and interference detection. SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic supports electrical design and faster project changes. SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional supports checkout, file-state control, and revisions. SOLIDWORKS Visualize helps turn CAD data into realistic equipment imagery for communication with internal stakeholders and customers. “Before, when I used AutoCAD, I had to do everything manually, so there was a high chance of error,” recalls Electrical Designer Cory Prestwood. “Things that would take me weeks with AutoCAD, I can now do in days, sometimes even hours [in SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic].” SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic also supports change control. Prestwood says the team can make global changes faster as design directions change, and they can easily and quickly return to a controlled project state through SOLIDWORKS PDM rather than manually undoing hours of work. Managing Complexity Before Manufacturing Begins Electrical changes are easier to manage. Manual documentation errors are reduced. Sheet metal flat patterns are generated as part of the design workflow. “What I love about SOLIDWORKS sheet metal is that it does the heavy lifting for us,” enthuses Beckemeyer. “It generates our flat patterns, and interference detection captures [problems] before they go into welding. We can optimize designs before they get to manufacturing.” Beckemeyer also notes that before Laitram had SOLIDWORKS for analysis, the company conducted extensive physical testing. “With SOLIDWORKS, we are able to eliminate that extra cost and time,” he concludes. Laitram’s design work is grounded in processor problems, not novelty for novelty’s sake. Business Unit Manager Michael Sclafani notes, “We’re looking to work with our partner processors to understand whether we can leverage our core competencies to bring value in new industries. That’s how we create new products and new applications: by developing a deep understanding of our customers’ problems, addressing those problems, and creating value.” Smarter Machines Require Disciplined Design More than 75 years after J.M. Lapeyre’s early work on automated shrimp peeling, Laitram Machinery is still fine-tuning the process to move delicate food products faster, more consistently, and with less waste. With SOLIDWORKS, Laitram can keep innovating, building smarter, more complex equipment to maintain its competitive edge in the market. That commitment to continual improvement positions Laitram to extend its legacy of ingenuity into the next generation of food-processing automation. To learn how SOLIDWORKS can help your team design smarter equipment and respond faster to change, contact your local reseller. To see those capabilities in action at Laitram Machinery, watch the case study video. Read the full case study here.

Distributed Terminals: Flexible Terminal Representation, From Schematic to Strip

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:14:29 GMT

The Distributed Terminals project introduces greater flexibility in how terminal components, such as junction blocks, are represented in a schematic. Until now, all the connection points of a circuit had to be shown on one single symbol. With this update, you can distribute those connection points across multiple symbols and pages as needed in the design. This kind of flexibility already exists in entry-level electrical CAD tools. Bringing it into a high-end, database-driven application like SOLIDWORKS Electrical means you get both: the power of the database and the freedom to lay things out the way you want. This kind of flexibility already exists in entry-level electrical CAD tools. Bringing it into a high-end, database-driven application like SOLIDWORKS Electrical means you get both: the power of the database and the freedom to lay things out the way you want. Terminal components and junction blocks A terminal component, also called a junction block, is used to connect wires and cables together. It can be made of one or several circuits, and each circuit is an equipotential connection. Most circuits have two connections, but some have a dozen or more. A few common examples: Support for partial symbols The idea behind the project is to bring flexibility to how terminal component symbols are inserted. The key to that is support for partial symbols. When a symbol can represent only a part of a component circuit, you can split the circuit connections across several places or pages. Symbol insertion, selecting a specific pin When you insert a terminal symbol, you can now select not only the circuit to use, but also a specific pin. Before, only the whole circuit, with all its pins, could be selected. This is what makes partial symbols possible. The component tree reflects it too. Terminals of the same circuit are grouped together, and a circuit that is only partly used shows a half-colored, half-grey icon so you can see and pick only the free terminals. A new list of pins in component properties To show a more accurate mapping between the symbol and the part, the view is no longer limited to the part circuit and the symbol circuit. It now goes down to part pin and symbol pin. A new list in the component properties shows the detailed characteristics of the pins, including the symbols they are associated with. It sits in a new Terminals group, right after the Circuits group, with columns for Circuit, Index, Mark and Relation. The Distribute terminal command A new command, Distribute terminal, lets you change the mapping between symbol connection points and component circuit terminals after insertion. It is enabled when two terminals are selected. With it, you can dispatch the pins in the way that best suits the job, making cabling easier and documentation easier to read. The same thing in the Terminal Strip Editor The Terminal Strip Editor is where most people review and finish a strip, so it made sense to bring the same logic there. The Distribute Terminals command is now available directly from the Advanced tab of the Terminal Strip Editor and from the contextual menu. It behaves the same way as in Component Properties and the Edit Terminals dialog, so you can spread the terminals of a circuit in fewer steps. The contextual menu also has a Go to option to jump straight to a symbol, and the cross-reference columns now show the symbol circuit and point numbers. On top of that, two new columns have been added, one on each side of the Mark column, to indicate the left and right connection points (terminals). Each one has a color status indicator (blue, red, green or yellow) next to the terminal mark, so the state of every connection is easy to read even on a busy strip. Why it matters For anyone working on control panels, special machines or larger junction blocks, this removes a long-standing constraint. You decide where the connection points appear, instead of the symbol deciding for you. That keeps the busy terminal blocks readable and the drawing closer to how the panel is actually wired.

SOLIDWORKS Electrical: Precision Engineering for Large-Scale Connector Management

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

High-fidelity electrical design requires precise control over high-pin-count components. New functional updates introduce structural enhancements to the Dynamic Connector toolset, specifically targeting the complexities of industrial automation, aerospace, and EV platform design. These updates transition the workflow from manual symbol manipulation to logic-driven component management. Optimized Insertion for High-Density Connectivity When managing connectors with extensive pin counts, spatial clarity and data density are critical. The updated insertion logic provides the tools necessary to handle complex components with precision. Enhanced “Insert Connector” Interface: The legacy side panel for Dynamic Connector insertion has been redesigned for superior usability. A new filter button opens a dropdown menu with specific visibility options: , Not Inserted, Selected, and Not Selected. Independent Selection Dialog: A new, scalable interface can be launched directly from the side panel. This provides a high-density, granular view of circuit groups, wire sections, and the maximum wire count. Logical Sorting & Visualization: To prevent pin-assignment errors, the system enforces a hierarchical sort: Symbol Association: Groups circuits by their assigned symbol. Internal Order: Follows the symbol and manufacturer part definitions. Visual Validation: Circuits are color-coded (Green for inserted, Blue for available), providing immediate feedback on connector population status. Non-Destructive Revisions: “Update Dynamic Connector” The most significant advancement regarding dynamic connector is the transition away from the “delete and re-insert” cycle. The new Update Dynamic Connector command enables real-time modifications while preserving the integrity of the design. Preserve Wiring Intelligence: When a connector layout is modified, the system maintains existing wire connections. This eliminates the risk of losing connectivity data during a revision. Dynamic Re-sequencing: Engineers can now add, remove, or reorder pins within a placed symbol using simple drag-and-drop actions. Visual Adaptability: Post-placement adjustments—including zigzag patterns and corner configurations—can be updated without affecting the underlying electrical logic. Manufacturing Fidelity: Accessory Mapping & Electrical Assemblies To bridge the gap between schematic design and the shop floor, SOLIDWORKS Electrical provides deep-tier manufacturing data through Accessory Association in complement with dynamic connector functions. This ensures every physical component—seals, plugs, and pins—is accounted for in the final build. Manufacturing Associations: Accessories can be linked to specific circuits or terminals, ensuring the digital twin matches the physical assembly requirements. Reusable Electrical Assemblies: These complex relationships can be saved in the library as Electrical Assemblies. This allows engineers to reuse fully defined, “ready-to-build” connector setups across multiple projects, ensuring 100% BOM accuracy and consistent manufacturing outputs. Strategic Value for Electrical Design These enhancements, driven by collaboration with leaders in specialized machinery and automation, provide measurable value to the engineering workflow: MetricEngineering ImpactRevision VelocityEliminates manual rework; significantly reduces hours spent on diagram updates.Manufacturing AccuracyAccessory mapping automatically ensures every seal and pin is included in the BOM.ScalabilityNative support for large-scale connectors facilitates high-complexity designs in EV and Aerospace.Error MitigationPreserved wiring logic reduces the risk of reconnection errors during the revision phase. Technical Application: These tools are essential for “High Change Rate” environments. By automating the management of large-scale connectors and their accessories, SOLIDWORKS Electrical ensures that your documentation remains clean, consistent, and—most importantly—ready for production.

What’s New in SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer and SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D R2026x FD02

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Calling all electrical engineers, electrical designers and CAD administrators. Get ready to accelerate your product designs with new automation and data management enhancements in SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer and SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, now available in the functional delivery (FD) R2026x FD02. In addition to its cloud-connected capabilities on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer helps you create intelligent 2D electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and terminal diagrams. SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D (E3D), also cloud-connected, enables a direct, two-way connection between 3D CAD and SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer, enabling you to place electrical components in 3D, auto-route wires and cables using rules, and generate accurate production documentation like wire lengths and harness drawings. The ability to bring 2D electrical designs into the 3D mechanical CAD space offers a multitude of benefits, including the ability to determine optimal wire, cable, and harness lengths and automatically synchronize design and documentation between both electrical and mechanical projects. In this blog, I want to discuss the following SOLIDWORKS electrical updates, including the ability to quickly jump directly between your 3D assembly and 2D schematics with one click. The following enhancements apply to SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer. Skip Empty Data Propagation Option Prevent data loss during automated propagation by enabling the new Skip Empty option in propagation rules. When a source value is blank, such as a wire address that has not been assigned, propagation skips that value and leaves the existing destination data untouched, eliminating manual cleanup and protecting valid data across large, complex projects. Component Mark Assignment Priority Option Control which symbol drives the component mark with a new Component Mark Assignment Priority option. Choose between two methods: prioritize by cross-reference relationship, where parent symbols always drive the mark, or by symbol type hierarchy. Whichever method you choose, the designated master symbol drives the component mark consistently across all drawing types, eliminating unexpected overrides and reducing manual corrections in complex multi-drawing projects. SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D Collaboration between electrical and mechanical teams has never been easier. With SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, users of SOLIDWORKS Design and SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer can work collaboratively to improve communication between teams and keep everyone up to date. With SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, designers and engineers can seamlessly integrate electrical schematics, design data and wiring diagrams from SOLIDWORKS Electrical within the 3D model of a machine or other product. This real-time, bidirectional tool enables improved collaboration between electrical and mechanical designers and allows for the placement or removal of electrical components in the 3D CAD model. The ability to design across both 2D and 3D helps ensure component fit, optimize wire lengths and routing paths, and eliminate the need for excessive, costly physical prototyping. The following enhancements apply to SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D with a single-user license and a device term license. Cross-Navigation Between SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer and SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D Jump directly between your 3D assembly and 2D schematics with one click. Simply select any component in your 3D model, click Go-To, and the correct schematic sheet opens with the symbol in view. Navigation works in both directions, from 3D to schematic and back, eliminating manual searches across large assemblies and multi-sheet drawings. To see the corresponding videos, visit the What’s New Wiki page here. With each update, we aim to deliver cloud-enabled enhancements, new features, and performance improvements throughout the year, rather than waiting for annual releases. These updates add critical productivity tools, including AI-driven design, improved 3D modeling capabilities, and enhanced data management workflows, keeping design teams competitive and accelerating product development time. See my last blog on FD01 here to ensure you are using the latest features and improve your design workflow today! For those that aren’t on the cloud yet and are struggling with data loss, complex multi-drawing projects, manual searches across large assemblies, strict compliance standards and software performance issues, it’s time to get your data and your teams connected on the cloud. SOLIDWORKS Electrical solutions integrate with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, offering web-based libraries, built-in lifecycle management, and collaboration capabilities, enabling teams to work on the same project simultaneously. Learn more about integrating your electrical and mechanical designs into SOLIDWORKS in this webinar. Whether you are new to SOLIDWORKS solutions or a pro, Dassault Systèmes offers a number of training solutions to get you up to speed and keep your skills sharp. Check out the SOLIDWORKS online learning portal for training resources. Visit the SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Designer web page to get a first look, see customer stories, and more here. To learn more about SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, visit the webpage here.

TraceParts Collaboration: Integrating the TE Connectivity catalog into the Electrical Content Portal (ECP)

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:00:19 GMT

What is the Electrical Content Portal?In today’s fast-moving world of electrical and mechatronic design, data quality and consistency are the foundation of innovation. Electrical engineers rely on accurate, structured, and connected component data to design efficiently, collaborate effectively, and deliver products that are right the first time.The Electrical Content Portal (ECP) is the dedicated library for SOLIDWORKS Electrical, providing all the essential data engineers need for complete electrical design. Each component available in the ECP includes: Electrical data and properties for schematic definition, Symbols for line diagrams and detailed electrical schematics, 2D footprints for accurate cabinet and panel layouts, and 3D models that enable seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D and CATIA Electrical environments. By connecting this rich electrical content across both schematic and 3D applications, the ECP ensures design continuity and data synchronization — forming the basis for a true virtual twin of the electrical system. This enables teams to move from schematic design to 3D layout and manufacturing documentation with complete accuracy and confidence.Strength in Partnership: Collaborating with TracePartsTo accelerate the growth and quality of this content ecosystem, we have established a strategic collaboration with TraceParts, a global leader in 3D catalog and data management solutions.Together, we have defined a robust workflow and data strategy that connects manufacturers directly to the Electrical Content Portal.This partnership enables us to: Collect and validate electrical component data directly from manufacturers Adapt and enrich this data to match ECP standards Extract and structure all necessary attributes, including electrical properties, symbols, 2D footprints, and 3D models Deliver content in the correct formats supported by SOLIDWORKS Electrical and CATIA Electrical This collaboration ensures that designers benefit from an ever-growing library of manufacturer-certified components, while manufacturers gain a powerful channel to make their products available within the tools engineers use on a daily basis.First Milestone: TE Connectivity Joins the ECPOur first large-scale project within this initiative was successfully delivered in collaboration with TE Connectivity, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of connectivity and sensor solutions.Through this partnership, we have published tens of thousands of fully detailed electrical components in the Electrical Content Portal, covering a wide range of product classes, including connectors, terminal strips, contactors, and more.Each TE Connectivity part includes: Complete electrical properties and terminal definitions Line diagram symbols for use in schematic and wiring designs 2D footprints representing all seven faces of the component for accurate cabinet layouts 3D models for seamless use within SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D and CATIA Electrical This means every TE component is a fully functional virtual twin, combining electrical intelligence with 2D and 3D representations to support design from concept through to manufacturing.➡️ Availability: The TE Connectivity catalog will be available in the Electrical Content Portal as of the 2026xSP01 FD01 release in February 2026.Delivering Value to Customers and ManufacturersThe integration of high-quality manufacturer data into the Electrical Content Portal (ECP) delivers tangible value for both designers and manufacturers, bridging the gap between digital design and physical production.For Customers and DesignersBy providing virtual twin data that exactly matches the real-world manufacturer parts used in production, the ECP ensures that what engineers design is what they can actually build. Each component in the portal contains verified electrical properties, connection definitions, and 3D geometry — eliminating discrepancies between schematic, layout, and real components.This accuracy translates into: Error reduction: Fewer mismatches between design intent and manufacturing reality. Optimized costs: Engineers save time and reduce rework, while customers purchasing the datasets gain maximum value from pre-validated, manufacturer-certified data. Design confidence: Every symbol, terminal, and 3D model reflects a real product that can be sourced, purchased, and assembled exactly as designed. Faster development: Ready-to-use content allows teams to focus on design innovation rather than manual data creation or verification. In short, customers benefit from a complete, trustworthy digital representation of real components, ensuring accuracy from concept through to manufacturing.For ManufacturersFor manufacturers, the ECP offers a powerful marketing and distribution platform inside the tools engineers use every day. By publishing their components in the Electrical Content Portal, manufacturers can: Promote their products directly within SOLIDWORKS Electrical and CATIA Electrical — where design decisions are made. Ensure correct usage by providing validated, application-ready data that reflects true product specifications. Strengthen customer relationships through trust and transparency, ensuring that engineers work with the right components for the right use cases. Expand visibility to a global community of designers and OEMs actively developing new systems, panels, and machines. This collaboration transforms manufacturer data into actionable, high-value design assets — turning product catalogs into connected, intelligent content that supports both engineering precision and market reach. Looking AheadFollowing this successful first release, we are now working — once again in close collaboration with TraceParts — to integrate additional major manufacturer catalogs into the ECP.These new catalogs will follow the same high-quality standards established with TE Connectivity, providing complete electrical data, schematic symbols, 2D footprints, and 3D models for use in SOLIDWORKS Electrical and CATIA Electrical. They are planned for integration progressively throughout 2026, expanding the library available to designers worldwide.An Open Invitation to Parts ManufacturersAs we expand the Electrical Content Portal (ECP), our goal is to create the most trusted source of virtual twin electrical data — built in collaboration with the manufacturers who design the real components engineers use every day.By joining this initiative with Dassault Systèmes and TraceParts, manufacturers can make their products directly available inside SOLIDWORKS Electrical and CATIA Electrical, reaching engineers at the moment of design.The benefits are clear: Greater visibility and adoption of products within daily design workflows. Guaranteed data accuracy for the right product and correct usage. A simple, efficient way to promote and deliver digital-ready products to a global community of designers and OEMs. We welcome all electrical manufacturers to collaborate with us — to connect their real products with their digital twins and help shape the future of smart, connected electrical design.Get in touch with us here to learn more about how you can be a part of this initiative.TraceParts: The Premier Content Partner for Dassault SystèmesA SOLIDWORKS Solution Partner since 1998 and a CATIA Partner since 2001, TraceParts provides unmatched product catalog integration within the Dassault Systèmes ecosystem.As a pioneer in rich content delivery for Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronic CAD Engineers, TraceParts has been a key 3DContentCentral Content Partner since 2007 and remains the sole content partner for the SOLIDWORKS Electrical portfolio application.Today, TraceParts stands as the premier product content provider for the 3DEXPERIENCE PartSupply Platform powered by the TraceParts API, providing 24/7 data indexing and CAD instantiation for over 46 million part numbers from over 2,000 product catalogs.

What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2026 Electrical Enhancements

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:00:08 GMT

This is a bittersweet blog as I’m retiring this month after 25 years with the company. One of the best parts of my job has been seeing what you, our customers, create using SOLIDWORKS. The range of creations is truly amazing. Before I sign off, I wanted to share with you some of the top SOLIDWORKS electrical enhancements from this year. From assigning accessory parts to specific terminals or circuits to improved flexibility in PDF exports, and more, see how you will benefit from SOLIDWORKS 2026 – ECAD. These enhancements apply to SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Professional (desktop and 3DEXPERIENCE platform versions) unless stated otherwise. Assign Accessory Parts to Specific Terminals or Circuits – create complete BOM documentation in 2D with components and accessories. Enhance design accuracy and manufacturing documentation by assigning accessory parts, such as pins, sockets, seals, and plugs, to specific connector terminals or circuits. In addition, save time with the ability to create a full 2D electrical structure without modeling accessory components. Improved Flexibility in PDF Export from Electrical – quickly organize and output ultra-clear PDF production documentation. You now have more options that increase flexibility when exporting PDFs of your electrical projects from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. For starters, you can organize your PDFs by project, book, or page. This can be helpful for document management or if you’d like to distribute specific information to different people, a control engineer, for example, by providing information relevant to them. You can also auto-number and name each PDF sheet and file as needed to better conform to company standards and production requirements. In addition, you can control the orientation of each page by selecting portrait or landscape. Streamlined Manufacturer Part and Cable Reference Import – simplifies data entry for multiple items such as circuits, terminals, and cable cores. Accelerate library creation and improve data accuracy with faster import of manufacturer parts and cable references from Microsoft® Excel. Click Manufacturer part management > Import, then click the XLS icon to easily import your list into the library. Load and Reload Feature in 3DEXPERIENCE Libraries – speed up electrical library management. Simplify electrical library management with load and reload capabilities from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, ensuring better coordination and consistency across teams. In addition, the interface now consolidates all comments into a single, easy-to-access toolbar. Saving Local Libraries to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform – centralize valuable content. Easily save local electrical content to a central library on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This will enable you to keep content in one convenient place and easily aggregate electrical content from team members, eliminating duplicate work, ensuring consistent results across the team. This enhancement applies to SOLIDWORKS Design Electrical Schematic Professional (platform version). Introducing SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D – streamline workflows with integrated electrical design and routing on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Earlier this year, we expanded the electrical solutions available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. We introduced a new role called SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D (E3D). E3D is a cloud-connected solution that enables a direct, two-way connection between 3D CAD and Electrical Schematic Professional (Platform version). E3D enables you to place electrical components in 3D, auto-route wires and cables using rules, and generate accurate production documentation like wire lengths and harness drawings. Check out this blog to learn more. Route Wires Property Manager Enhancement – accelerate 3D electrical workflows by routing specific wires. Simplify harness design by routing selected wires directly through the Route Wires property manager, enhancing control and efficiency. This will help you focus routing on a specific wire or a set of wires, just like with cables, for greater precision and flexibility in harness design. This enhancement applies to SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D and SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Professional. Dynamic Connector Insertion Improvements – streamline connector insertion with improved access, circuit selection, filtering, and control options. Simplify connector insertion with direct symbol access and a new, detailed circuit selection dialog for faster, more accurate design choices. This also improves the layout, sorting, filtering, and limit controls in the circuit list for faster, easier navigation. Collaborative Server Enhancement – boost IT security and compatibility with client-initiated connections and no client-side firewall changes. We’ve enhanced compatibility with modern IT environments through optimized client-to-server connections for more reliable performance. You can initiate all communication from the client to eliminate server-to-client connections, reduce firewall complexity, and enhance network security. This enhancement applies to SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D and SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Professional (desktop versions). Enhancements to ECAD-MCAD Collaboration Using IDX 3.0 – strengthen ECAD-MCAD collaboration through data tracking, change control, and faster design cycles. CircuitWorks now supports parent-child associations between components and other board items, such as keep-in, keep-out, plated holes, and non-plated holes, when interacting with IDX 3.0 files. You can accept or reject changes to these items from either ECAD or MCAD, enabling you to sync both items in a single action. If you accept or reject changes at the top level, you can sync them at the lower level if needed, and vice versa. When modifying parent components in MCAD, all related child items are automatically updated during export to CircuitWorks. These enhancements are available now! As a reminder, many enhancements become available throughout the year via functional deliveries. Keep this list handy, download the flyer. Can you believe this year marks 30 years of SOLIDWORKS? See what is new in SOLIDWORKS 2026 here. It’s been a pleasure working with you! Now, I look forward to being a reader of this blog, along with all of you, and look forward to the upcoming enhancements in all areas of SOLIDWORKS. I’ve seen many of them already in development, and I can’t wait. Happy Holidays!

Design Beyond the Status Quo with Intelligent ECAD Software

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:00:42 GMT

Are your electrical design tools helping you—or holding you back?For years, electrical design tools have been stuck in the past. Traditional, unintelligent tools have been the go-to for many teams, but let’s be honest—they’re not cutting it anymore. These outdated tools create inefficiencies, slow down workflows, and leave too much room for human error.Think about it: how many hours have you spent manually updating wire numbers or double-checking documentation? How often have you struggled to get needed feedback from your mechanical team design counterparts because your tools are not integrated? These are the hidden costs of sticking with the status quo, and they’re holding your team—and your business—back.Eventually, there comes a point where the historical reliance on these non-integrated and unintelligent electrical design tools can no longer be justified. That point may be coming a lot sooner than you think. Traditional, unintegrated tools carry a host of hidden costs that ultimately hurt your bottom line and your engineers’ productivity. Your teams are better than the status quo, and they need tools that match their skill level and enable them to design to their fullest potential. Unfortunately, many traditional ECAD tools set the ceiling too low.With frustrating workflows, excessive mouse clicks required to complete simple tasks, hours of manual documentation auditing, and impeded collaboration, non-parametric ECAD tools often do more harm than good. Yet, organizations often maintain outdated systems simply because they perceive the ease of sticking with the status quo. Still, at some point, you might have to ask yourself: Why impose limitations on your ability to design to your fullest potential?Here’s the good news: there’s a better way. Enter intelligent electrical design tools.Intelligent ECAD tools bring you beyond the status quo and into the next era of electrical design. To keep up with the demands of today’s engineering field, you and your team need to be equipped with modern, intelligent, and integrated tools. Cutting-edge design requires cutting-edge technology and real-time integration between mechanical and electrical design environments. Intelligent ECAD tools—like SOLIDWORKS Electrical—empower engineers to innovate without the boundaries imposed by stagnant, unintelligent tools.Unlike traditional tools, intelligent ECAD software is designed to streamline your workflow, minimize errors, and facilitate seamless collaboration. These tools automate tedious tasks, such as documentation updates and BOM generation, giving you back valuable time to focus on innovation. Plus, they integrate with mechanical design environments, ensuring that your entire team is always on the same page.Imagine being able to: Automatically update wire numbers and documentation in seconds. Reuse circuit designs without worrying about manual edits. Collaborate effortlessly with your mechanical team in real time. That’s the power of intelligent electrical design tools. They don’t just make your job easier—they make your entire process smarter, faster, and more efficient.Don’t settle for “good enough.” If you’re ready to move beyond the status quo, discover how intelligent tools can take your electrical design process to the next level, past the limitations of traditional ECAD tools, and into the next era of electrical design.

Are Your Electrical Design Tools Holding You Back?

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:00:42 GMT

Let’s face it—sticking with the status quo is easy, but when it comes to electrical design, “easy” can cost you. For years, electrical design has largely occurred in a silo. Organizations tend to stick with traditional, status quo tools out of comfort, which often leads to teams working in incompatible design environments that introduce significant barriers to communication and open the door to potentially catastrophic and costly errors.Unfortunately, while traditional, non-intelligent tools might feel familiar, they’re riddled with hidden costs: wasted time, missed mistakes, and collaboration headaches that slow your team down and hurt your bottom line. In today’s fast-paced design environment, you can’t afford to rely on outdated tools to bring you up to speed with modern organizations that are embracing the next era of electrical design. You need a reliable, parametric ECAD software that is integrated with your MCAD environment. Not only will this improve the design experience for your engineers, but it will also save you time and money throughout your product development process.That’s where intelligent, integrated tools come in. They’re not just a step up—they’re a game-changer. Imagine automating tedious tasks, eliminating errors before they happen, and enabling teams to collaborate in real-time. Sounds like a dream, right? It’s not. It’s the reality of intelligent ECAD tools.Intelligent tools are built to simplify your workflow and ultimately make your team more efficient. By automating tedious tasks, intelligent ECAD tools free up time to allow teams to focus on design rather than auditing spreadsheets and manually updating wire numbers. With intelligent tools, you have what you need to work smarter—not harder.We’ve put together a three-part eBook series that dives deep into the hidden costs of traditional tools and shows how intelligent, parametric solutions can transform your workflow. Within each eBook, we’ll explore the industry trends influencing these hidden costs, compare the workflows of engineers using traditional versus intelligent ECAD software, and examine the real-world ROI of organizations that switched from traditional, status quo tools to SOLIDWORKS Electrical.In this series, you’ll discover: Time is Money: How traditional tools waste hours on manual updates and repetitive tasks—and how intelligent tools give that time back to your team. Mistakes Are Expensive: The real cost of errors in design and documentation, and how intelligent tools catch them before they derail your project. Collaboration is Key: Why siloed teams are a productivity killer, and how integrated tools facilitate teamwork across disciplines. If you’re ready to stop settling for “good enough” and start unlocking the full potential of your electrical design process, this eBook series is for you. It’s time to move beyond the limitations of traditional tools and embrace the future of intelligent design. Electrical design doesn’t have to happen in isolation, and your electrical design teams don’t have to be stuck using outdated tools. Exploring intelligent ECAD software is the first step in bringing your electrical teams into the next era of electrical design.Ready to learn more? Download the eBook series today and see how intelligent tools can save you time, money, and headaches.

What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2026 – Design

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:10 GMT

This year marks 30 years of SOLIDWORKS, continuing its legacy of ease of use; it remains a user-driven solution for design and engineering professionals. The new release drops in November, and I’m excited to tell you about some of the top features in SOLIDWORKS 2026. From AI-powered design and detailing to selective loading of assembly components, and more, learn about the latest developments in SOLIDWORKS Design solutions.All enhancements apply to SOLIDWORKS Design solutions, unless stated otherwise. AI-POWERED ENHANCEMENTS Accelerate documentation and assembly design with AI-powered drawing automation and fastener recognition.Automatic Drawing CreationAutomatically create drawing sheets with views and proposed dimensions with the simple click of a button, using the Auto-Generate Drawing (Beta) command under the New menu. Once enabled, this will automate drawing creation with automatic hole recognition for native SOLIDWORKS or imported geometry. In addition, this functionality will ensure your views are automatically arranged and match the sheet format industry standard to the part or assembly industry standard.Automatic Fastener Recognition and Assembly This enhancement is one of my favorites. When inserting components into assemblies, SOLIDWORKS automatically recognizes components that appear to be nuts, bolts, or washers as fasteners and then assembles them accordingly.This capability also extends to non-toolbox components, enabling you to drop in parts that will automatically be snapped into place, saving you time from having to do each component separately. ENHANCED LARGE ASSEMBLY FEATURES Save time and resources when working with large assemblies with the following enhancements.Selective Loading of Assembly ComponentsThis one is a game changer, as you can selectively filter specific portions of your design from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform using component relationship visualization and advanced filters to find relevant parts. This helps speed up opening large assemblies and enables you to open only the components you want to work on, thereby reducing on-screen clutter. Smarter Rebuild Recognition for Cosmetic ChangesReduce assembly rebuild times by skipping rebuilds when only cosmetic changes are made to referenced components. A new Performance System option allows you to prevent unnecessary rebuilds, thereby improving overall efficiency.Disable Auto-Resolve for Lightweight Components Improve performance and save time when working with large assemblies with the ability to shut off auto-resolve and then open an assembly in Lightweight mode. Under System Options, click FeatureManager, then shut off the auto-resolve option, then go to Open, Lightweight, Open. When you expand your assembly in the feature tree, you can view your components faster and resolve them later, giving you greater control over when components are fully loaded. IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE Maintain productivity and focus with enhancements that support uninterrupted work and efficient design.Unplanned Offline Mode We introduced offline mode a few years ago and have made the option to connect to Offline mode even easier. If you experience a connection loss while connected to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you’ll get a notification, and you can continue your work in SOLIDWORKS in Offline mode, without the need to save, exit and start a new session. Simplified User Interface Speed up your workflow with a more intuitive interface that displays the most commonly used commands, helping you focus on design, reduce distractions, and work more efficiently.Enhanced Command Search Make searching with the Command Search faster by adding a customizable set of keywords so you can easily find the commands you need. For example, you might add search terms such as DWG, blueprint, plan, etc., which would pull up the Make Drawing from Assembly command.This is helpful for new users, those coming from different CAD systems, and a quick way for existing users to pull up a command. STREAMLINED PART DESIGN Simplify complex tasks, reduce setup time, and gain more control and flexibility throughout the design process with streamlined Physical Product creation, simpler definition of base and edge flange start and end points in sheet metal modeling, and faster sketching with easy square geometry creation.Create Physical Products with AttributesThe SOLIDWORKS new document creation workflow has been improved so you can create Physical Products on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform directly. Similar to creating a SOLIDWORKS part, assembly, or drawing, you now have the option to create a Physical Product. In addition, you can fill in attributes such as project number, project name, manufactured/purchased part as part of the new workflow.This is helpful, as everyone on the platform can see the attributes you added to that part.Define a Custom Start point for a Sheet Metal Base FlangeWhen creating edge flanges for sheet metal parts, you can now define the length of the edge flange using a sketch point. Gain greater flexibility in sheet metal design by using a sketch point to define the end of an edge flange, eliminating the need for workaround methods. Create Squares with the Rectangle Command Easily create squares using the Rectangle command by holding the shift key, automatically applying equal relations to the adjacent entities. MORE EFFICIENT COLLABORATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT Accelerate teamwork and decision-making with powerful new collaboration and data management capabilities.Enhanced Drawing Stamping Drawing stamping now includes maturity status with additional attributes. These attributes provide detailed information about the latest maturity transition performed on a drawing through Change Status or Change Action commands. In addition, attributes can now include user names or email addresses. You can stamp the user names or email addresses of the users who participated in the drawing release process. Track maturity changes and view drawing history with evaluated attributes, eliminating manual updates.Collaborate and Connect Right from SOLIDWORKSShare designs using 3DDrive and 3DSwym and access the User Forum directly from within SOLIDWORKS.Support for IterationsUpdate a selected file to the latest version on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, ensuring accuracy. Improved Drawing Detailing and MBD Speed drawing detailing with improvements to dimension line breaks, magnetic lines, and the ability to display all design configuration information in a table on the same drawing.Automatic Dimension Line Breaks for Intersecting Text and AnnotationsAutomatically create breaks in dimension lines where they intersect or overlap with text and annotations, improving drawing clarity and readability.Insert Family Tables for Configurations in a DrawingAutomatically display configuration details and custom properties of parts and assemblies on drawings using Family Tables, enhancing clarity and reducing manual documentation.Magnetic Lines for Annotation AlignmentUse magnetic lines to support attaching and aligning Notes, Weld Symbols, and other annotations, beyond just balloons.Add Custom Text in Geometric Tolerance (GTOL) ValuesEnhance tolerance definitions by adding custom text and symbols—such as minutes (′), seconds (″), and special characters like (/), (*), (|), and ()—directly within tolerance values for greater precision and clarity.DimXpert Dimensions with Library FeaturesSave DimXpert model-based definition dimensions to library feature parts in your Library with a new option to check “Include MBD Dimensions.” This enables you to reuse them when a library feature is applied to a model, saving time and promoting standardization over having to detail the feature after placement. MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR ELECTRICAL, PIPE, AND TUBE ROUTING Combined BOMs Across Multiple Routing AssembliesIn SOLIDWORKS Routing, you can create a more flexible Bill of Materials (BOM) for designs involving cable, wires, harnesses, fluid, and piping networks. This enhancement enables you to track the total lengths of cable or wire types across all subassemblies, as well as the individual lengths of cables and wires, while also providing combined counts of components.Support for Assembly ClipsRoute pipe, tube, and electrical paths using clips, mounts, or hangers placed in parts or assemblies, improving design flexibility.Visual Guidance for Easier Electrical Splice PlacementVisually guide the placement of splices and other inline electrical devices in harness segments. Using imported from-to connection information, harness segments suitable for locating a splice or other inline electrical device are highlighted to guide placement of the device. This makes the placement of splices and inline components easy and precise. Streamlined ECAD/MCAD Collaboration and Design Strengthen ECAD-MCAD collaboration by improving parent-child data tracking and the ability to review and undo MCAD changes before ECAD implementation.Support for Parent-Child Relationship in IDX 3.0Maintain the Parent-Child relationship when using IDX files with the ability to store and track parent and child data, including keep-in, keep-out, PTH, and NPTH details, improving traceability.Ability to Overwrite Previous PushWhen using CircuitWorks, you can review and undo MCAD changes before final ECAD updates by overwriting the previous push in IDX 3.0. MORE EFFICIENT RENDERING IN SOLIDWORKS VISUALIZE Produce more life-like renderings with greater clarity, thanks to enhanced tessellation control and the option to use the Denoiser in CPU mode.Enhanced Tessellation Control Balance geometry quality and performance with tessellation control and faster import speeds.In addition to overall import performance improvements, you will now have more control over the import quality, with additional options to enable you to import higher-quality models faster.Run Denoiser in CPU Mode Create high-quality renderings faster, in fewer passes, with the ability to enable the Denoiser in CPU render mode.Import PBR Materials for glTF and USDZ FilesStreamline the creation of renderings from imported models with support for PBR materials in USDZ and glTF file formats. MORE PRODUCTIVE IMPORT/EXPORT Accelerate your workflow with direct package exports from the Share dialog, save time by selectively including drawings in export packages, and simplify complex imported multi-body parts with advanced selection tools.Selection Filter for a Large Number of Feature BodiesSimplify complex multi-body parts more efficiently by using advanced selection tools to isolate and manage bodies based on similarity or size.Share Files Using Export as a Package from Share MenuSharing files is more convenient, as you can quickly share assemblies saved on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform using the “Export as Package” option in the Share dialog box.Exclude Drawings in Export PackageControl which drawings you’d like to include or exclude when exporting data packages.Download this flyer to keep these enhancements handy, and see what is new in other SOLIDWORKS 2026 solutions here.

What’s New in Electrical Cloud-connected Roles R2025x FD03

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Integrating schematic design with mechanical design is crucial for the efficient development, assembly, and maintenance of modern products. Schematics bring the logic for the electrical design, ensuring that electrical and mechanical components work together seamlessly, preventing errors, and guiding the entire process. To integrate electrical and mechanical in 3D, we are introducing a new role in R2025x FD03: 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, a cloud-connected solution, enables a direct, two-way connection between 3D CAD and Electrical Schematic Designer.Key capabilities include the following: Locate electrical components in 3D in the overall control cabinet (panel), machines, or other product designs. Plan 3D electrical paths and autoroute all wires and cables between components in the overall design, respecting power and signal segregation rules. Generate all electrical production documentation, including wire lengths, cut lists, and harness drawings. Works concurrently with the mechanical team to develop digital twins of machines or other products involving electrical and mechanical aspects. Visualize and check electrical designs using cross-highlighting between the schematic and the 3D environment to ensure completeness. Speed up overall design changes and documentation revisions using integrated documentation tools. Leverage data management and collaboration capabilities on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D is based on the same great functionality and ease of use as SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, including: 3D model (physical product) association to manufacturing parts & symbols 3D path planning for wires, cables & harnesses Multi-wire auto-routing of wires, cable, and harness in 3D Harness board drawing functionality Library Synchronization (2D to 3D) What does it have that desktop versions don’t? The ability to leverage the cloud-based functionality and benefits of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, including: Reduced IT overhead Simplified administration & installation Cloud-based Team Collaboration Tools Electrical Library and Project Storage on Cloud Scalable Life Cycle Management Project & Task Planning Unified BOM (electrical & mechanical) Additionally, storing your data on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform helps streamline product development by providing access to additional solutions as needed. These tools enable the use of cloud-based collaboration and data management tools, along with access to hundreds of additional roles for 3D design, real-time collaboration, lifecycle, release, and product structure management, simulation, photorealistic rendering, browser-based design tools, marketing, manufacturing, and more.Note that you need a 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS CAD role license as a prerequisite for the new Electrical 3D role.Watch the first look video below.For more information on all SOLIDWORKS Electrical solutions, please go here.