Introducing 3D Mechatronics Creator
Undoubtedly, design is getting more complex these days, requiring multi-discipline design and multiple applications.
To break down silos among disciplines, we’ve introduced 3D Mechatronics Creator, a fully browser-based solution that combines mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, known as mechatronics.
Mechatronics is used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, robotics and manufacturing, to help design and build smarter, more efficient systems and capable of solving complex problems in automation. Examples include robotic arms used for assemblies on the manufacturing line and surgery systems, automated vehicles, smart appliances and more.
3D Mechatronics Creator includes circuit design and cable routing functionality and a smart library of components complete with sample code in one unified design environment. With 3D Mechatronics Creator, you can create 3D designs, 2D and 3D electronic circuits, and embedded programming systems, leveraging intelligent workflows to connect 2D and 3D components, automatically generating the required interconnections, wiring details, and sample code.
Key capabilities include auto-wiring, 3D circuit and wiring design, smart components, and custom component creation to streamline workflows. Let’s review the specific features below, including:
Intelligent Smart Component Import
This allows you to import related smart components from PartSupply with guidance on whether it is the right component or not. For example, you will receive automatic prompts for related components, required quantities and compatible alternatives when importing from PartSupply.
Smart Component Authoring
This capability allows you to create and bring in your own customized electronic components and define the connection points, generate 2D wiring diagrams, categorize components and add specific parameters.
Auto Wiring- 2D Circuit and Assembly
Complete your circuit and wiring effortlessly by auto-wiring your 2D design after importing components from the parts library. The 3D model/assembly is automatically generated based on your approval of the suggested layout. The system instantly connects all components, eliminating the need for manual wiring.
With the click of a button, you can auto-wire the whole component.
In addition, you can edit wires between smart components and modify individual wire segments and connection points. Efficiently edit and simplify wire paths and connection points without eliminating the entire wire, making it easier to create design iterations flexibly.
Wiring Optimization and Intermediate Point Control
Ensure proper wire routing by defining and managing the minimum bend radius and wire paths. Adjust intermediate control points or routing paths to allow the user to have flexibility to control the shape and path of the wire all while preventing over-stressing and potential wire damage.
The system automatically checks and highlights any wire design violations where the bend radius falls below specifications, flagging errors early in the design cycle.
Synchronized 2D-3D Environment
Synchronize 2D and 3D wiring data and routing with the “Update 3D Wiring” command. Reduce design errors by automatically updating changes from the 2D to the 3D environment with a single toggle for seamless integration.
AI-powered Component Management
3D Mechatronics Creator also integrates AI capabilities that identify missing components and recommend suitable alternatives.
This feature ensures that designs maintain complete functionality, reducing the risk of oversights and enhancing the overall reliability of the mechatronics systems being developed.
Key Benefits
In my opinion, one of the biggest benefits of 3D Mechatronics Creator is that many of your workflows are automated with built-in design guidance, so you don’t have to be an expert in multi-discipline design. You can design an entire product from scratch that combines many disciplines using one simple solution. Non-experts can prototype and test ideas quickly without specialized skills. Imagine the cost savings by eliminating the need to license multiple individual applications.
Since it is browser-based and runs on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can save your data in one central location and take advantage of data management and collaboration capabilities as well, and view your data anytime on any device.
How does the role complement or enhance the 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio and its solutions?
3D Mechatronics Creator is a great companion to the browser-based solutions, including 3D Creator. For example, you can model your part in 3D Creator, save it to the platform, then continue to work on the model in 3D Mechatronics Creator to complete the design.
Overall 3D Mechatronics Creator helps accelerate the design cycle, reduce costs, and simplify workflows and enables the sharing of product information across various platforms.
See the first look video and learn more here.
For those of you who caught my presentation on 3D Mechatronics Creator at 3DEXPERIENCE World, thank you for attending! You may have heard SOLIDWORKS CEO Manish Kumar mention the solution at 3DEXPERIENCE World last year. Since then, we’ve been working with 19 customers to get their feedback and ideas on 3D Mechatronics Creator and have added functionality.
If you’re interested in trying out and shaping the future of 3D Mechatronics Creator, it will be available to commercial customers as a Lighthouse program throughout 2025. Go here: https://www.solidworks.com/lighthouse-mechatronics to sign up.
