Insights

For startups in engineering and manufacturing, setting up an efficient CAD and Product Data Management (PDM) system is a crucial step toward streamlining design workflows, ensuring data consistency, and scaling operations. However, with so many software options and systems available, it can be challenging to decide which tools to use and when. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help startups navigate these decisions.

1. Choosing the Right CAD System

Selecting the right CAD software depends on your product complexity, industry focus, and team expertise. Below are comparisons of popular options like SolidWorks, Creo, and others:

SolidWorks

• Best For: Small to mid-sized startups, consumer products, and general mechanical design.

• Key Features: Intuitive interface, robust 3D modeling tools, integrated simulation, and strong community support.

• Strengths: Easy to learn and widely adopted, making it great for startups with diverse team skill levels.

• Limitations: May struggle with very large assemblies or advanced surfacing compared to other systems.

PTC Creo

• Best For: Startups focusing on complex designs, large assemblies, or industries like aerospace and automotive.

• Key Features: Advanced parametric modeling, excellent surfacing tools, and robust simulation capabilities.

• Strengths: Handles large assemblies well and integrates seamlessly with Windchill for PDM.

• Limitations: Steeper learning curve and higher initial cost compared to SolidWorks.

Other Options

• Fusion 360: Affordable and cloud-based, ideal for startups needing quick prototyping or collaboration tools.

• Onshape: Fully cloud-based, suitable for remote teams and startups seeking SaaS solutions.

• CATIA: Best for complex, high-precision industries like aerospace but often overkill for most startups.

2. Picking the Right PDM System

Product Data Management (PDM) systems are essential for tracking design versions, managing collaboration, and maintaining part and product data integrity. Here’s when and what to choose:

When to Introduce PDM

• Early Stage: Start with manual systems (e.g., shared cloud storage with strict folder structures) to save costs.

• Scaling Stage: Transition to a PDM system when you have a team of multiple designers or are working on complex products with multiple versions.

Choosing the Right PDM

• SolidWorks PDM:Ideal for teams already using SolidWorks.
  Offers seamless integration, making it easy to adopt.
  Best for small to mid-sized teams managing moderately complex data.
  

• PTC Windchill:Best for startups with long-term scaling needs or those using Creo.
  Supports advanced configurations and enterprise-grade collaboration.
  Higher cost and complexity but great for larger teams.
  

• OpenBOM:Cloud-based and affordable, great for early-stage startups.
  Flexible and easy to set up without requiring heavy IT resources.
  Best for teams with lightweight PDM needs.
  

• Other Systems:Teamcenter for enterprise-level management, but it’s costly and may be overkill initially.
  Autodesk Vault for startups using Autodesk tools.
  

3. Setting Up a Part Numbering System

Part numbering systems are essential for organizing designs, tracking revisions, and ensuring consistency. Startups often overlook this step, leading to inefficiencies as they scale. Here’s how to do it right:

Best Practices for Part Numbering

• Keep It Simple: Use a structure that’s easy to understand and doesn’t require extensive training.

• Avoid Smart Numbers: Don’t embed too much meaning (e.g., material type, supplier code) in the part number—it complicates changes later.

• Use Alphanumeric Codes: A combination of numbers and letters helps differentiate part categories.

Example Structure

1. Category (2 digits): 01 for hardware, 02 for electronics, etc.

2. Product Line (2 digits): A unique identifier for each product family.

3. Sequential Number (4 digits): For tracking individual parts.

Example: 01-03-0001

• 01: Hardware

• 03: Product line or subcategory

• 0001: Part number

Assigning Part Numbers in PDM

• Use your PDM system to automate part numbering for consistency.

• Configure rules for part categories, ensuring new parts follow the established system.

4. Additional Tips for Startups

• Document Your Standards: Create a design standards guide early on to ensure consistency across your team.

• Invest in Training: Make sure your team is trained in both CAD and PDM tools to minimize errors and inefficiencies.

• Plan for Growth: Choose systems that can scale with your startup’s needs, even if the initial setup seems more complex.

• Review Periodically: Regularly assess your CAD and PDM workflows to ensure they’re meeting your evolving needs.

Conclusion

Setting up a CAD system is more than choosing software—it’s about building a foundation for efficient, scalable design processes. By selecting tools like SolidWorks or Creo based on your needs, implementing the right PDM system, and establishing a robust part numbering system, startups can streamline operations and position themselves for success.

At AEXRO, we specialize in helping startups optimize their engineering workflows, from CAD selection to process implementation. Contact us to learn how we can support your journey toward design excellence.