Top Four Reasons to Use an Integrated Design and Manufacturing Process

In today’s competitive global market, companies are faced with the challenge of creating a high-quality product in a way that increases both efficiency and profitability. This shift in production can be done with the right tools and when all associated departments and people are onboard; however, it may be difficult to convey just how crucial a streamlined process is to your company’s output.

These are the top four reasons you should consider an integrated design and manufacturing process to increase efficiency and profitability.

1. No need to import/export/repair model data between processes

With an integrated design and manufacturing process, all operational assets speak the same language and while this may not seem as though this is a big deal, it actually is.

In a non-integrated process, these tools don’t communicate with one another; therefore, as designers and manufacturers make changes to a design and send it back and forth to each other, the data is imported and exported through various systems in different formats, allowing room for potential errors and a need to repair geometry.

These costly systematic errors can take time to resolve, resulting in a loss in productivity and increased miscommunication between teams.

2. Data accuracy is secured

Data accuracy is not secured when utilizing non-integrated design and manufacturing processes. This is because during repair and translation steps, errors can be introduced.

However, with an integrated design and manufacturing process, when design changes occur, the platform automates the update of all downstream deliverables. Through this automation process, there are less data translation issues and data accuracy is secured.

3. Concurrent design and manufacturing is promoted

When your design and manufacturing teams use integrated tools to work on one project, they have the ability to work simultaneously, ensuring communication and timeliness.

Providing integrated tools, even if your teams are in separate geographical locations or different companies, allows your teams to share a common language. This helps teams align throughout conceptual design, detailed development, and manufacturing.

4. Fewer systems means less maintenance and less training

The non-integrated, design-through-manufacturing process requires design and manufacturing engineers to work in separate “silos” and use different tools. This means that you need to train two sets of teams on two different sets of tools, spending time and resources to do so.

A quicker and more cost-effective way to create a quality output is to use one integrated system. You’ll need to develop and train your team on one process and one tool that works across all teams, regardless of geographical location or companies, allowing your product to go to market faster.

In conclusion, there are tremendous advantages of integrating your design and manufacturing processes and teams. In doing so, you’re increasing quality output, saving time and money on data translation and personnel training, and you’re allowing your teams to work concurrently.

For more in-depth insight into connecting your entire team and streamlining your product development process with the SOLIDWORKS system, download our free eBook.

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Alyson Savelle

Senior Manager, Brand Offer Marketing SOLIDWORKS guru; all things technology, sports aficionado, scuba-diver, snowboarder, photographer, traveler, book worm & movie junkie!