SolidWorks CAD Overview

Objective: Increase efficiency and expand design parameters by utilizing Duro's add-in for SolidWorks CAD.

Difficulty: Easy

In this article:

1. Features
2. Benefits
3. Creating components in Duro from SolidWorks CAD
4. Releasing components from SolidWorks CAD to Duro 

Duro's add-in for SolidWorks CAD allows engineering teams to both create components in Duro from SolidWorks CAD as well as release components from SolidWorks CAD to Duro. This enhances the overall communication between the design team and the downstream members who are bringing the parts, assemblies, and products to life. Avoid the check in and check out paradigm, share data easily, and minimize progress delays with SolidWorks. Duro pulls much of the PLM functionality into the CAD tool, reducing the amount of back-and-forth time that an engineer loses jumping between multiple tools—even tools that are already natively integrated. 

Download the latest version of the SolidWorks Add-in.

Features:

Pull Part Number: Associate SolidWorks files with Duro Customer Part Numbers (CPN) and instantly create new component listings in the Duro Web Application.

Release:  Publish approved revisions to the centralized Duro Web Application, build a history of releases, and store important production files. Release components in Prototype, Production & Obsolete stages directly within the add-in.

Library: Search your entire active library of parts and assemblies in the Duro PLM Web Application.

Benefits:

Fluid integration: Designers are not required to switch apps when creating or releasing components. 

Attribute Synchronization: Provides you with the ability to manage properties and synchronize with SW custom properties.

Custom Properties List

Creating components in Duro from SolidWorks CAD

In order to create components in Duro from SolidWorks CAD, please follow the below steps.

1. Log into your Duro account.
2. Click on Components in the left navigation to view your component library.
3. Sign into the SolidWorks Duro add-in with your Duro credentials.
4. Navigate to the task pane tab.
5. Select the desired components using the checkbox located to the right of the component title in the task pane tab.
6. Click on #PullPartNumber.
7. In Step 1 of 2 of the Set Category window that generates, select the appropriate category for each coordinating component from the dropdown menu.
8. Click on Continue.
9. In Step 2 of 2 of the Set Category window, double check your data to ensure everything is correct.
10. Click Done.
11. Your data will automatically upload to Duro. You can view the uploaded components and assemblies in your Duro library.

For a video tutorial of this process, please watch the below YouTube video.

Releasing components from SolidWorks CAD to Duro 

In order to release components from SolidWorks CAD to Duro, please follow the below instructions. 

1. Log into your Duro account.
2. Click on Components in the left navigation to view your component library.
3. Sign into the SolidWorks Duro add-in with your Duro credentials.
4. Navigate to the task pane tab.
5. Click on the pencil icon in the upper right hand corner of the task pane tab.
6. Insert the appropriate revision number.
7. Click on Save.
8. Select the desired components using the checkbox located to the right of the component title in the task pane tab.
9. Click on #Release.
10. In Step 1 of 1 of the Release window that automatically generates, enter the release name and any coordinating notes in the text boxes.
11. Check the box for Include Production Files.
12. Check the box for Include Source Files.
13. Select a method of procurement for each component, either Make or Buy. 
14. Click on the Release button at the top of the window.
15. Double check your information and click on Done.
16. In the Duro property card, click on the hyperlinked CPN of the component we just released to Duro. This will reroute you to the component page in Duro.
17. Refresh the webpage.
18. View the revision table by clicking on the history icon in the toolbar at the top of the component page.
19. Now, there are line item(s) showing the data you just released to Duro. 

For a video tutorial of this process, please watch the below YouTube video.

For information on how to install and uninstall SolidWorks, visit our SolidWorks Add-in Installation File.