As we look toward 2025, the CAD industry stands on the brink of transformative change. In this inaugural article of our “2025 Predictions” series, Manish Kumar, CEO of SOLIDWORKS, explores how advancements in technology and methodology are reshaping the design and manufacturing landscape. From the integration of MODSIM (Modeling and Simulation) to the pivotal role of centralized data and the emergence of AI-driven capabilities, Kumar outlines the trends that will redefine how teams collaborate, innovate, and deliver in a rapidly evolving market. Join us as we delve into his expert insights on what’s next for the future of design and the tools driving it.
MODSIM, The Future of Design
Manish Kumar
By Manish Kumar, SOLIDWORKS CEO and R&D Vice President
As we approach 2025, MODSIM — a unified modeling and simulation-based design approach — will take center stage in driving product innovation through real-time feedback and simultaneous operations. This approach will lead to breaking down traditional silos in design, bridging the gap between modeling and simulation, and overcoming cross-disciplinary barriers to foster a more collaborative design environment.
This transformation will streamline workflows, accelerating time to market and enabling the creation of innovative products that meet evolving customer needs. As designs grow increasingly complex, the 3D modeling and CAD environment will shift from siloed practices to collaborative frameworks, requiring multidisciplinary input to tackle complex design challenges.
Centralized Data Will be the Key to Better Decision Making and the End of “Over the Wall” Mentality Centralized access to information will no longer be a luxury but a necessity for seamless data flow, enabling real-time decision-making and seamless cross-disciplinary collaboration. As product designs evolve from basic mechanical structures to complex, integrated systems that combine electronics and software, collaboration across engineering, design, and manufacturing teams will become critical. A unified view of real-time data will break down silos, enabling faster, more informed decisions and driving innovation in product development.
Prioritizing centralized access to data will alleviate constraints derived from the outdated “over the wall” mentality, where teams worked in isolation and passed incomplete information between departments. Instead, we will see a unified source of truth for all product data. This shift will allow engineering and manufacturing teams to collaborate from the earliest design stages, streamlining communication and accelerating decision-making. Research has shown that nearly half of manufacturers still struggle with poor decision-making, often due to fragmented and siloed data. We need to dramatically lower that number in 2025. With integrated tools, real-time, centralized data access, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, companies can reduce time-to-market, enhance innovation, and avoid the costly mistakes caused by fragmented information—leading the way in the future of design and manufacturing.
Amidst the bustling urban landscapes that define our modern cities, a transformative innovation has arrived that reimagines the essence of urban logistics. QARGOS, a pioneering force in the realm of transportation solutions, proudly unveils the QARGOS F9 Scooter Cargo Platform. This launch is not merely the introduction of a new vehicle; it represents a paradigm shift towards sustainable and efficient urban delivery systems, powered by the advanced capabilities of Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
GoEngineer sponsors the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) in competing against international university teams.
The Formula SAE® Series competitions provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to conceive, design, fabricate, and develop short-wheelbase formula-style vehicles. The challenge is to develop a vehicle that can successfully compete in all the events described within the 175-page FSAE rules document. All teams entering the competition must meet strict requirements pertaining to performance and driver safety.
For example, failure during a technical inspection means a team is not allowed to operate their vehicle under power, which means they can’t compete against other teams in the dynamic events.
The Rigors of Product Development
“This is the real deal,” says Dave Schaller, Education Manager at GoEngineer. “Formula SAE pulls no punches. University students get to experience the rigors of product development—the successes and failures.” Requirements include vehicle configuration, driver’s cell, minimum material requirements, main and front roll hoops, bracing, safety equipment, fasteners, and much more.
However, there are few restrictions on overall vehicle design, so students can express their ingenuity and take innovative approaches to vehicle design. The competition provides an opportunity to demonstrate engineering know-how among similar peers from around the globe.
Increase Efficiency & Productivity with SOLIDWORKS PDM
SOLIDWORKS PDM was designed to help users be more efficient and more productive in their day to day work. To help achieve this goal, SOLIDWORKS PDM was created to look and work the same as any regular Windows folder. What’s extra are the features added in to enhance the user’s capabilities.
Accessing a PDM vault is as simple as clicking on the PDM folder icon. This action opens up a standard Windows Explorer window; upgraded to provide extra PDM features and capabilities. File functions, such as copy/paste and drag n’ drop work in the same familiar way as for any average Windows folder. This allows SOLIDWORKS PDM to look and feel just like the Windows environment you’re already used to. The goal? To make it easier to learn and more convenient to work with.
Happy New Year! Last year, we hosted design engineering webinars produced by GoEngineer. If your goal is to learn more and grow in your design role, check out our top 10 most viewed engineering webinars to get a jump-start on your goals!
1. SOLIDWORKS 101 – Best Practices For Creating Your First Part
Learn best practices on basic fundamentals of sketching and creating your part in SOLIDWORKS.
Every year, SOLIDWORKS releases a 200+ page document with all of the enhancements for the new release. If you’ve been to one of GoEngineer’s 20+ Launch events, we are JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE on all that SOLIDWORKS has to offer that’s new!
I have a favorite, what about you?
So one of my favorites? SOLIDWORKS CAM! I’m not even a machine shop kinda girl. But 2.5 axis CAM is included in EVERY SEAT OF SOLIDWORKS. CAM you believe it? (Aren’t I sooooo hilarious?)
I’m just so impressed with what this tool can do for zero added cost. Just stay on active subscription to get this feature. For turning capabilities, ask about CAM Professional.
3D printing solution makes it all possible – one step at a time
Imagine an automated way to feed your pets. Think of the time you’d save. Think of the hassles you’d eliminate. My kitties need to be feed twice daily, so I set out to make the process easier using both CAD and 3D printing.
For the manual method of food delivery to my cats, I have to measure out 1/3 cup of kitty kibbles with a measuring scoop and then deliver the food into each respective dish.
I have two cats, so I have to do this for each bowl, twice a day.
It would be easier just to turn a handle, and in a matter of seconds, deliver the proper amount of food to each kitty at the same time – at least, that’s what I hoped.
Are you a new SOLIDWORKS user and looking for best practices to get started? We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and created a series of videos to help you along the way. In the video series below, we will cover tips & tricks and best practices. You will find that this information will help reduce design time, increase efficiency and keep frustration low.
Part 1: Getting Started
In this video, you will learn the basics of SOLIDWORKS. The topics covered will include sketching, sketched features, applied features, modes, and more. Enjoy!
In Flow Simulation, a vortex is a region in the fluid domain which causes a swirl in a region where there is asymmetric drag in the flow field. The vortex itself is an expected phenomenon which itself is not problematic. When that vortex is allowed to generate across a theoretical boundary within a CFD analysis that can cause the results to deviate from reality in the immediate vicinity of the boundary or also cause the solver to fail to produce results at all. For that reason, it is important to note where this is happening in an analysis and take steps to avoid it.
How can this be fixed?
The vortex itself is generating because of the local solid geometry near the pressure boundary of a CFD setup. If the flow through the boundary is not symmetric, a low-pressure region can generate in front of the boundary allowing fluid to pass the wrong direction through the boundary as intended. The fix for this is to “build out” the model geometry. What does this mean? The solid model needs to have more real life geometry added to the setup so the flow field can be allowed to have the vortex and then transition into a unidirectional flow.
Solution 1: Add Geometry
An example of a vortex across a boundary would be directly from the first Flow Simulation tutorial in SOLIDWORKS.
(The tutorials can be found under ‘Help’, ‘SOLIDWORKS Simulation’, ‘Flow Simulation Online Tutorial’ once the Flow Simulation add-in is turned on). The ball valve, as it is setup in the tutorial, has two lids that are positioned closely to the ball of the valve. In situations where the ball valve is not set completely open the flow through the valve is forced to be asymmetric as it passes through the pressure outlet.
The asymmetric flow out the pressure boundary allows fluid to backflow through the theoretical pressure boundary and creates the vortex that is seen below. (more…)
Human beings seem helplessly attracted to moving pictures and light, the closest example being the smartphone in your pocket. But also think about television, movie theaters, and even concert light shows — all examples of our moth-like fascination with light.
Painting with Light
“Video mapping is becoming the largest part of my business,” says Tim Burnham, president of Tempest, the world’s premier manufacturer of specialist outdoor enclosures for digital projectors and conventional and moving lighting instruments. Video mapping essentially “paints” a building with video and light, usually from multiple projectors at multiple angles.
Figure 1: Tempest products in action – twelve Cyclone enclosures along the Atlantic City Boardwalk survived Hurricane Sandy without a scratch.
I have a favorite, what about you?
