In the manufacturing industry, design automation is often referred to as a game-changing solution that will streamline workflows, cut costs, and improve speed to market. But what are the real facts and what is actually possible with design automation?
In this blog, we clear up some of the misconceptions around design automation, uncovering the facts, and highlighting what’s achievable with design automation solutions.
Design automation is only for large manufacturers
The belief that design automation is only for larger manufacturers is more fiction than fact.
While larger manufacturers may have been earlier adopters of design automation solutions, the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of set up of design automation tools, make them an ideal solution for small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Design automation tools streamline design and production workflows, reduce manual errors, and speed up lead times. For smaller manufacturers this can have a huge impact on their productivity and efficiency, enabling smaller teams to consistently achieve more, without the the need for bigger operations.
DriveWorks design automation is used by small and medium-sized manufacturers all over the world to produce custom products faster and with greater accuracy.
Design automation is complex
The idea that design automation is complex is more fiction than fact.
Design automation streamlines workflows, effectively simplifying the complexity of manufacturing custom products. Using design automation reduces the volume of repetitive tasks, improves accuracy, and speeds up design and production processes.
Many design automation solutions are actually easy to set up, and don’t require advanced technical expertise. DriveWorks design automation solution uses rules-based technology to automate SOLIDWORKS designs, and once your project is set up, it can be run over and over again.
Design automation is expensive
The perception that design automation is expensive is more fiction than fact.
Today’s design automation solutions are affordable and scalable, enabling manufacturers to adopt automation at a pace and cost that fits their budget.
Return on investment is quick, as a result of reduced design time, fewer errors, and faster time to market. For many manufacturers of custom products, design automation is part of their cost-saving strategy, enabling them to do more with less and stay competitive.
DriveWorksXpress is entry level design automation included free in every seat of desktop SOLIDWORKS. And with a free 30-day trial of DriveWorks Solo you will quickly see the benefits of design automation.
Design automation will replace jobs
The view that design automation will replace jobs is more fiction than fact.
In manufacturing, automation isn’t about reducing head count, it’s about helping them to do their job smarter. By removing repetitive, time-consuming tasks, design automation frees up engineers to focus on higher-value work such as product development and innovation.
In fact, as design automation tools become increasingly integrated into manufacturing workflows, the demand for skilled professionals with design automation know-how is increasing and creating job opportunities.
Design automation is a one-off project
The assumption that design automation is a one-off project is also more fiction than fact.
In reality, effective design automation is an ongoing process of development, testing, and refinement. As products and processes change, design automation workflows need to be updated to accommodate changes and support business goals.
Manufactures who view design automation as a long-term strategy are better positioned to adapt quickly, scale their operations, and continue to produce custom products faster and with greater accuracy.
Learn more about design automation
Manufacturers often face challenges in delivering custom products quickly and accurately. That’s where DriveWorks comes in. DriveWorks design automation solution enables you to quickly and accurately create multiple variations of your SOLIDWORKS® parts, assemblies, and drawings, and deliver custom products faster and with precision. Exclusively designed for SOLIDWORKS, DriveWorks is the perfect solution to streamline your processes and stay ahead of the competition.
By speeding up time-to-market, cutting costs, enabling personalization at scale, freeing up time for creativity, and improving collaboration, design automation enables manufacturers to drive growth without compromising quality or margin. As leaders in design automation technology, we understand how automation is transforming industries and providing new opportunities for growth. Our design automation solution is used manufacturers worldwide to drive their business forward.
Automating repetitive design engineering tasks is a smart strategy to increase productivity, reduce errors, and focus more on creative engineering work. By following a structured approach -identifying tasks, choosing the right technology, and starting small – you can effectively integrate automation into your workflows. Tools like DriveWorksXpress and DriveWorks Solo are great starting points for design engineers looking to adopt automation without overwhelming their current processes.