SOLIDWORKS: Electrical - Considering Different Workflows

SOLIDWORKS Electrical – Considering Different Workflows

The development of SOLIDWORKS Electrical was ground with the idea of being a collaborative software. Built from the ground up, initially as an electrical schematic tool, it developed into SOLIDWORKS Electrical: 3D has opened the doors to many new workflows that can be implemented into teams that consist of both electrical and mechanical designers.

Within the SOLIDWORKS software, the basic design workflow begins with an electrical design, helps develop the mechanical aspects, integration between the two designs, and then finalizing to a manufacturing team. This “normal” workflow has been disrupted with how SOLIDWORKS Electrical is developed. Because the system is tied together on all aspects of a project, this allows us to explore a few different design workflows.

In general, the collaborative nature of the software allows us to utilize a parallel design process. This means that everyone has the ability to work on the same project from their angle of expertise. The electrical designer can begin developing schematics while the mechanical designers can develop the 3D side of the project. We are also allowed to work the project from the idea of knowing what parts and pieces are going to be in the project.

When separating the potential workflows, they can be split into 3 major areas: electrical, mechanical, and documentation. Each project can be different, so understanding which workflow to use can give you an edge as to how quickly you can finish your project. When considering starting a new project, think about what information you have about your project. Do we know what manufacture parts are expected to be used? Are there assembly models already created for the project? Maybe we’re starting from the ground up with no information at all.

If we know what parts are expected in our project, we can utilize the documentation workflow. This is understanding that our bill of materials is already known. We can import all our parts into the project and then develop each part in the electrical and mechanical realm. If we have a mechanical assembly already developed, we’ll begin from 3D model side. Developing and associating objects to attach electrical information to each mechanical part. If we’re just being a project and we’re used to beginning on the electrical design side, we can always start there and concurrently develop each part of our project.

Understanding different project workflows can make the development of our design much faster while maintaining collaborative accuracy between the different design teams.

Brian Do
Application Engineer
Computer Aided Technology