If you’re like most manufacturers, “innovation” conjures images of fancy new products and marketing strategies.
However, innovation isn’t just about having the hottest new gadgets. It is also the ability to think, design, build, and problem-solve with more efficiency and fewer costly stops along the way. That’s where 3D mechanical design comes in. With its modeling, simulation capabilities, advanced collaboration features, and design software, it’s so much more than a solution.
From blueprint to breakthrough
This isn’t the Stone Age, so your designers and engineers aren’t stuck on an AutoCAD 2D drafting board, churning out blueprints on massive paper sheets. Your product isn’t just a concept. It’s a prototype, and you can see and work with it, spinning it any way you can. You can look at the connections and joints up close and test the load-bearing limits. You can also see how it handles environmental stresses right there on your monitor and before you start production.
What does this mean? It means prototyping is cheaper than ever before, and time-to-market is faster as well. This is why companies in your industry, whether that’s automotive, aerospace, med-tech, or just about any other field, recognize the importance of these tools if they want to stay competitive.
Workflows that work harder
Real-time capabilities are great, but speed doesn’t matter if making the most of that speed comes at the expense of quality control. Advanced design environments and the accessibility to the right environments make 3D mechanical design the preferred methodology for many companies. You’ve been there, where you switched one part for another and adjusted, and the entire ecosystem you’ve worked hard to build fell apart.
That does not have to be the case anymore. Parametric design is just one of the advancements that make 3D mechanical modeling what it is. Need to make one change? You can, and the entire product — every aspect and dimension of it — will change at the same time without falling apart. It’s the ultimate in design flexibility and scalability without starting all over again.
Collaboration without chaos
Whether your team works in the same building or within the same city or state, collaboration is a key part of innovation. It’s also likely that your design and engineering teams need to work together with marketing,
customer service, and management to get the right input throughout the design process. Modern 3D mechanical design platforms often come equipped with cloud capabilities. This means you can design and conceptualize in real-time with your team, wherever they are. Not sure? Make quick comments and tag your teammates to get their opinion. What’s even better? Digital design tools can significantly boost productivity, which is good for the bottom line.
Design once, apply anywhere
One of the most overlooked advantages of 3D mechanical design modeling software is that one model can be used for various purposes. A 3D model can be included in the design process, but it can also be used in simulation and for creating clear, useful, and user-friendly customer-facing documentation. Additionally, it can be used by marketers to create rich visual content. All these barely scratch the surface.
The biggest takeaway? Three-dimensional modeling software provides you with a centralized design model that can be reused across your organization. Whether you’re using AR to test customer interest or a CNC machine to create a batch of products, the 3D model is there to get you started.
Real-world resilience
Imagine you own a company that makes industrial pumps. What if, in the days before 3D mechanical design, your engineers had to build three or four physical prototypes to validate a design? Thousands of dollars, not to mention weeks of delays in customer shipments, would be wasted each time.
Today, the story is different. You can check flow rates and vibration resistance on the computer. You can also inspect maintenance access and assembly in a 3D model. Fewer physical prototypes improve your margin, and happy customers are more likely to buy from you again. This has become business-as-usual for companies that have digitally transformed.
Future-proof your success
The future belongs to the companies that can innovate, iterate, and produce faster than their competition. When you’re working with 3D, you’re creating the future of your company’s innovation. Are you looking back or moving forward?
It’s time to stop looking at this as just a piece of software because it is your competitive advantage. Ready to turn inspiration into reality? Find out what 3D mechanical design software can do for you today.