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Blog > Choosing the Right Product Design Tools
01/06/2022
CAD, Collaboration, Data Management, PDM


AVOID CAD MISHAPS BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCT DESIGN TOOLS

Mehul Gala
READ TIME:
3:33

Transitioning from an incumbent CAD is not for the faint of heart, but not
evaluating the options can leave you on the back foot as the world evolves.   

As a mechanical engineer by training, I have worked with designers and
manufacturers of consumer products, construction equipment, and medical devices
using a variety of CAD platforms, including Unigraphics and SOLIDWORKS. 

So I’m well-versed with the frustrations that come from using computer-aided
design (CAD) software. I’m also aware of the hurdles teams must jump to even
begin making the choice to transition to a new CAD system. 

Before working at Onshape in a customer strategy and enablement role, I was a
senior product development engineer at Kichler Lighting. The Ohio-based company
is a global leader in fashion-forward and energy-efficient residential lighting
solutions. While there, I had the privilege to move the primary CAD system from
SOLIDWORKS and Autocad to Onshape. 

There were many reasons behind the switch. From consistent errors, hiccups with
communicating important information, and plenty of technical issues. These
issues weren’t just at Kichler but exist at many organizations that rely on CAD
to get work done. 

I’d like to share my experiences dealing with the issues that came with legacy
CAD and how adopting a cloud-native CAD platform alleviated these paint points. 


PROBLEMS WITH LEGACY CAD FROM THE GET-GO

Let’s start in the beginning: When I was an engineering student working with my
co-op, I was exposed to many opportunities including the chance to learn CAD. 

I refined my skills to a point where I was tasked with designing parts and
assemblies that would be mass-produced. What a thrill for a young engineer, let
alone any engineer! 

However, I learned a particularly painful lesson when I saved an assembly over a
senior engineers' hard work and locked them out from being able to save their
work. They were not happy with me; I didn't make that mistake again. 

But the problem never went away. The same mistake was committed over and over
again by young engineers who joined our team that didn't know they should check
with EVERYONE before saving the top-level layout. 

Shortly after, a product data management (PDM) system was installed that kept
the department more organized. However, now the check-in and check-out process
caused new problems as engineers would check-out assemblies and parts for days,
preventing others from working on any of those designs. These workflows caused
some serious rework more than once. 

With these issues in mind, it became clear that the cloud-native elements of
Onshape offer unprecedented competitive advantages. Onshape does away with
complicated file-based PDM systems as well as versioning errors. 

Onshape’s unique cloud database architecture completely eliminates files,
removing one of the most frustrating issues associated with CAD and PDM. No work
is ever lost, overwritten, or modified without permission. Entire teams can edit
the same design at the same time with real-time updates – there is no need to
check-in, check-out, or lock, removing all bottlenecks from the design process.
Every design change is captured and recorded with unlimited undo/redo and a
complete audit trail of who made what changes and when.

Similar to other cloud tools available today, Onshape operates with a single
source of truth. While engineers and designers are creating the best designs
possible, they will not be impeded by frustrating overwrite issues or confusion
from checking in and out. 

Additionally, engineers, designers, and drafters can keep working and they can
collaborate and communicate in real-time!


NO MORE LOST DATA

Ready to hear about another legacy CAD mishap?

I recall a missed disaster when a former employer's on-premise, file-based CAD
was due for a system update. It was a small company where the engineers were
responsible for performing upgrades ourselves. 

Our team upgraded each PC individually with stacks of discs, then finally
updated the server to wrap it up. Unfortunately, we managed to screw it up and
put ourselves at risk for lost data as well as causing a few days of downtime.  

It was uncomfortable to explain and reassure our management that we didn't lose
data while there was downtime. Unfortunately, our explanation was not enough
reassurance: Our new workflow required one of us to back up the server daily
onto tape and take it offsite.



Manually updating computer software with stacks of discs is a thing of the past.



With Onshape, those non-value tasks have vanished. As a result, engineers and
designers can focus on designing.

Onshape's cloud-native platform creates the opportunity for zero downtime
because there is no software to install or upgrade, no crashes, and no lost
files. It is launched from a browser that is updated approximately every three
weeks. And work never needs to be saved.


MAKING BETTER DECISIONS

After the transition to Onshape, I noticed other workflow processes became
smoother at Kichler.

Companies have used BOMs to analyze costs since the idea of interchangeable
parts became mainstream. Since then, the concept of working with a joint
development manufacturer (JDM) has offered companies an abundance of options to
make the best decisions when the supply chain is very diverse.  

At Kichler, Onshape allowed the team to work with multiple JDMs to optimize
cost, performance, and maintain a consistent experience for the customer. In
addition, we used the cost-optimized components that offered the best
performance and shared best practices between JDMs to standardize the product. 

We communicated performance, safety, and reliability needs while offering an
efficient platform for the JDMs on the other side of the globe to share their
feedback to improve manufacturability and minimize costs. The single source of
truth offered allowed the team to share our 3D models, drawings, and BOMs
quickly and without issue.  


ELIMINATE INEFFICIENCIES WITH CLOUD-NATIVE CAD

Onshape's cloud-native software offers a unique CAD experience, robust data
management, unparalleled collaboration, and a single source of truth that can
provide a variety of engineering organizations success and a strong future.

It solved many of the issues that persist within product development workflows
and offered flexibility like no other CAD platform.

Changing CAD is not something done flippantly, but remaining with a tool that
doesn't offer better performance deserves reconsideration. Onshape was made to
eliminate issues that prevent engineers and designers from focusing on the
products; instead, they can come together and design some of the best products
in the world.

Almost ready to let go of your old on-premise CAD platform? Request a live demo
from one of our Onshape experts and see how cloud-native CAD can transform your
business.

Request an Onshape Demonstration

Onshape helps businesses modernize their
product design process. See for yourself. 

Request a Demo


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The 3-Day CAD Challenge: Get Started
01.20.2023
Are you working toward becoming a CAD expert? Or are you struggling with how to
get started in your CAD journey? Well, we have you covered in this
easy-to-follow self-learning guide.
Learn More
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