Top Ten Design-to-Manufacturing Enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2022

Earlier this fall, Dassault Systèmes launched SOLIDWORKS® 2022, part of our portfolio of 3D design solutions. SOLIDWORKS 2022 features performance enhancements and expanded functionalities that improve workflows for design, documentation, data management, and validation. In addition, the connection to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, as well as to the entire 3DEXPERIENCE® Works portfolio, has been expanded, letting you tackle more challenges, from design to manufacturing, while enabling cloud-based computing and collaboration.

Let’s take a quick look at my favorite top ten design-to-manufacturing enhancements in SOLIDWORKS 2022.

1) Assembly Performance and Workflow

Work faster with large assemblies through expanded workflows and improved performance. Save time when opening, closing, and saving assemblies with improved performance for these functions. Open subassemblies faster using Large Design Review mode. From your assembly in Large Design Review mode, open subassemblies in Large Design Review mode or resolved mode.

2) Expanded Use of Detailing Mode

Save time when opening and detailing a SOLIDWORKS drawing. Access Detailing mode for all drawings, regardless of the SOLIDWORKS version you saved them in or whether you saved them in Detailing mode. Open a drawing in Detailing mode directly from an assembly in Large Design Review mode.

3) More Efficient Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Work faster and more intuitively when tolerancing your designs. Work directly in the graphics area guided by the user interface in building feature control frames cell by cell. Create tolerance frames per ISO 1101:2017 and the associated standards of ISO 2692, ISO 5458, ISO 5459, and ISO 8015.

4) eDrawings Viewer Enhancements in SOLIDWORKS PDM

Save significant time when previewing your SOLIDWORKS files. Access all eDrawings® features from within Microsoft® File Explorer. Switch from a bitmap image to an eDrawings 3D model using a new Load Preview button. Use the markup icon that indicates if annotations are available for this file.

5) Blended Curvature-Based Mesh Is Now the Default

Save time with more robust and efficient mesh capabilities. Successfully mesh bodies that didn’t mesh before with the enhanced Blended Curvature-Based Mesh. Specify mesh controls on bodies outside the global range to reduce mesh size and expedite solution time.

6) Streamlined Plastics Simulation Workflows

Streamline your plastics simulation workflow with the new Plastics Manager and Plastics Material data updates. Obtain recommendations for up to four suitable injection locations, as well as a preview of how the part will fill.

7) Improved DWG-based Design and Communication

Ease the transition from AutoCAD to DraftSight® and improve user productivityCreate customizable blocks to represent multiple configurations of one block to simplify communications. Convert and edit AutoCAD® Dynamic Blocks to reuse legacy DWG files.

8) Improved Electrical Design and Documentation

Save time when working with documentation, large projects, and routing.  Create more detailed and visual reports and more accurate electrical harness documentation for faster manufacturing. Speed up the creation of schematic, 2D and 3D designs for large projects. Accelerate the routing of 3D wires, cables, and harnesses.

9) Streamlined Quality Control Processes

Securely manage and collaborate on your inspection projects on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.   Fully automate the creation of inspection documents with the new APIs. Bring existing SOLIDWORKS drawings, parts, and assemblies directly into SOLIDWORKS Inspection.

10) Improved Collaboration and Data Sharing

 Accelerate innovation and decision-making by connecting SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform, where you can easily manage and share all your data and collaborate with others. Using 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, access your favorite 3DEXPERIENCE commands from multiple places within SOLIDWORKS, including the File menu, Command Manager, and Context menu, with support for all 3DEXPERIENCE operations. Increase your competitive advantage by tapping into the power and breadth of the 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio.

Learn More

Many of the SOLIDWORKS 2022 enhancements have been developed to let you work smarter by focusing on high-value activities while letting the system handle more repetitive, routine, and time-consuming tasks. At the same time, SOLIDWORKS incorporates a range of specialized new improvements that make it faster than ever to execute sophisticated designs, such as configuration tables, part modeling enhancements, and hybrid modeling.

More and more people are working remotely in today’s world, which typically requires an increasingly flexible environment. The 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio is a suite of tools from SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes that brings your entire organization together in one secure environment in the cloud.

3DEXPERIENCE Works enables efficiencies across multiple stages of product development: concept, design, simulation, and manufacturing. Everyone works together—including management—from the same, real-time data.

To discover the entire story of SOLIDWORKS 2022 or ask further questions or get a demo, please contact your local reseller.

Craig Therrien

Craig Therrien

Craig Therrien is a 3DEXPERIENCE WORKS Senior Portfolio Manager with over 30 years of CAD and industry experience - engineer, consultant, CAD product manager, CAD company co-founder. Currently, serving as Senior Product Manager for SOLIDWORKS and 3D Mold Creator. Craig has a B.S.M.E. from WPI and is a Graduate of General Electric's Manufacturing Development Program.