Smarter Design Through CAD-PLM Integration

Why is CAD so crucial throughout product development?

One of the many advantages of CAD is its remarkable versatility. CAD tools are used far beyond traditional NC manufacturing tasks. Their wide range of applications includes designing and modeling volumes, surfaces, and hybrid bodies; creating photorealistic product renderings; and simulating machines, robots, and production processes. Other common uses include CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) – such as milling, turning, and laser cutting – and STL modeling for 3D printing. FEM (finite element method) analysis, for instance, is a computer-aided process that predicts how a product will react to physical influences like deformation or heat. Numerous other tools could be cited, but one conclusion stands out: CAD is an indispensable all‑rounder.

Managing data growth

The digitization of technical drawings sparked a quantum leap in CAD systems. However, it also unleashed an enormous – and potentially unmanageable – flood of data. Companies developing complex products often deal with thousands or even millions of components, assemblies, and drawings. Each of these elements generates additional data, revisions, and interdependencies. Meanwhile, products today are increasingly linked to embedded software and electronics. Yet, CAD systems were never intended for this kind of comprehensive data management – they serve entirely different purposes.

The risk of information overload

Serious challenges arise around traceability, variant management, classifications, change processes, or integration with enterprise systems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) or PIM (product information management). Production or financial data frequently appears within the CAD model structure itself. In short, many CAD drawings are overloaded with information. Even experienced designers can easily lose track, undermining efficiency and increasing the risk of costly errors.

PLM-CAD integration

To maintain oversight, boost efficiency, and minimize errors, product data should be separated from the CAD model and stored independently. Automatic synchronization with the original data source (a single point of truth) is also essential. This is precisely what PLM (product lifecycle management) systems enable. PLM platforms typically cover specialized areas such as engineering and design, manufacturing, simulation, model-based definition, and CAD data management. Because each area has unique requirements, specific software tools, including CAD, are often integrated through a common platform. Connecting PLM and CAD via an integration platform not only merges data from both worlds (and other systems in use) but also ensures an organized, streamlined design and development environment. A major advantage is the availability of consistent data – accessible anytime, company‑wide.

Introducing the ‘Engineering Definition’

With this goal in mind, Dassault Systèmes’ cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform introduces the concept of an ‘engineering definition.’ This data object is linked to the corresponding model or drawing and stores associated information with its own version control. The result is a return to a CAD‑centric model – where information and processes are created in the CAD context but stored externally. This keeps models “clean” and allows for intuitive visualization of related information.

Visualization with multiple model views

Dassault Systèmes’ PLM software enables users to project different perspectives onto a CAD model. The ‘engineering view,’ for example, visualizes the 3D model and allows users to access or modify CAD data. A product manager can compose configurations or view product information – without needing a CAD license. Feedback and comments can be added directly onto the model. Meanwhile, production information can appear within the ‘manufacturing view’ without altering the ‘engineering view.’ This flexibility means users can view and edit relevant data regardless of the CAD software they use.

Summary

Design and development teams gain the most from efficient PLM‑CAD integration. There’s no need for an abrupt system switch, as work continues seamlessly within the familiar CAD environment while all data is securely stored and managed. Crucially, this information becomes accessible across the organization. The interconnection between departments further increases overall value. Design data can be accessed, released, modified, and saved directly within the CAD system. Teams simultaneously work with up‑to‑date product data, track changes, and communicate effortlessly. The outcome: fewer errors, greater efficiency, and higher quality at lower cost.

Author’s notes

• Which processes are carried out with CAD?
  CAD tools are available for a wide variety of tasks. Design and construction, CAM (milling, turning, EDM, laser cutting), NC manufacturing, and STL modeling are just a few examples.
• How does PLM-CAD integration work?
  Integration is achieved through platforms such as Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Networking simplifies collaboration across all teams.
• Why should companies use CAD in conjunction with PLM?
  PLM enables product data to be separated from the CAD model, stored separately, and automatically updated in a central location when changes occur. This minimizes the risk of errors and increases efficiency, especially in design and development.
• What does good CAD-PLM integration mean for the work of design and development teams?
  They don’t have to change. They continue to work in their preferred CAD environment and can rely on their data being managed securely and in a structured manner. However, the difference is that the data is available for the entire company’s processes.
• What are the benefits of integrating CAD into PLM?
  Designers, in particular, benefit from networking at various levels: Design data can be easily retrieved, released, modified, and saved directly in the CAD system. The entire team simultaneously accesses up-to-date product data, can track changes made, and communicate seamlessly. Overall, the risk of errors is reduced, efficiency is increased and at the same time higher quality is ensured at lower costs.