On October 6, 2021, Siemens Digital Industries Software announced the release of Solid Edge 2022, under the banner of “Engineered to Grow Your Business.”[1] In an introductory video for the new release, Mr. Dan Staples, Vice President of R&D, and Mr. Jeff Walker, Director of Solid Edge Products, teamed up to present the many new capabilities in Solid Edge that address the “explosion of complexity” found in today’s products.
CAD Direct integrates foreign CAD files directly into Solid Edge without data translation and automatically handles updates if the source model changes. Based on graphical data and at first supporting NX models, CAD Direct promises to be an impressive multi-CAD capability in the designer’s toolbox once extended to other CAD solutions. CIMdata welcomes this attention to multi-CAD support.
Point Cloud Visualization for manufacturing plant scanned data allows users to design production equipment positioned in context. Solid Edge assembly measurement and viewing tools can be used to support equipment placement. Companies will find this capability useful whenever retrofitting their production floor to handle new product manufacturing.
Solid Edge Configurator with rules-based automation is a boon to configure-to-order product design needs. Multiple product variants can be defined within the context of Solid Edge. Master input parameters can be defined and rules, including functions, can be specified for the proper satisfaction of inputs. CIMdata believes these capabilities can speed configure-to-order sales proposals and reduce human error in design.
Xcelerator Share allows designers to collaborate with suppliers and partners. CAD models are imported into a secure cloud location and can be shared on any device. Measurements and mark-ups are supported. All mark-ups are logged for traceability, recording who made the mark-up and when.
CIMdata believes that Solid Edge 2022 offers its users a well-balanced suite of facilities as they tackle the complex product designs required today.
[1] Research for this highlight was partially supported by Siemens Digital Industries Software.