Objective: Learn about the features and benefits of Duro's add-in for SolidWorks CAD.
Difficulty: Easy
In this article:
Duro's add-in for SolidWorks CAD allows engineering teams to create components in Duro and release components from SolidWorks CAD using the add-in. This enhances the overall communication between the design team and the downstream members, bringing the parts, assemblies, and products to life. With our add-in, you can share data easily and minimize progress delays. 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.
For instructions on downloading the add-in, please refer to the SolidWorks CAD Installation Guide.
Features
BOM Management
Release
The release feature in Duro PLM finalizes and saves the state of a component along with its associated metadata and documents. When a design is ready for review, it can be released to generate a new revision and document the change. This includes creating a Change Order for n components in Prototype or Production and ensuring all related documents are properly tracked.
Update Status
Updating the status of files in the SolidWorks to Duro PLM integration keeps everyone informed about the current state of a project. This feature helps teams track progress and communicate clearly by marking files with their current status, whether in Design, Prototype, Production, and Obsolete.
Save Changes (Sub-Revision Release)
The push feature allows for the creation of sub-revisions, capturing the current state of documents and components without making a full release. This is useful for incremental updates or minor changes, maintaining a detailed history of changes.
For more information, please refer to the SolidWorks BOM Management article.
Linking Parts Between SolidWorks and Duro
In Duro’s latest SolidWorks add-in, we’ve added granular linking capabilities to give you precise control, including the ability to link components between Duro and SolidWorks files automatically.
Link
Manual linking allows users to choose the Duro component to link with a SolidWorks file. If the names match, the custom properties are set directly. If not, the local file will be renamed to match the Duro component, ensuring flexibility and precise control over the linking process.
Unlink
Unlinking removes the Duro-specific metadata and the association between the SolidWorks file and the Duro component. This feature is important for managing changes or correcting previous linking errors, ensuring accurate file tracking.
Auto Link
Auto linking automatically matches local filenames with corresponding Duro components, reducing manual effort and errors. This feature ensures that files are correctly linked based on their names, maintaining consistency in metadata and file associations.
Save as
The save as feature covers renaming a file within SolidWorks or creating a copy. Renaming updates the name in Duro, maintaining the link and metadata. Creating a copy clears the metadata to avoid conflicts, allowing the user to re-link or pull the part as needed, ensuring metadata accuracy.
For more information, please refer to the Linking Parts Between SolidWorks and Duro article.
Pull Part and CPN Generation
Pull Part Number
The pull part feature creates a component in Duro PLM and links it to a SolidWorks file. This automatic linking ensures that the component's metadata is tracked and easily integrated into Duro.
CPN Generation
Duro supports various CPN schemas Out Of the Box (OOTB), including ones popular in the most progressive industries, such as space and industrial tech. The Customer Part Number (CPN) generation feature automates the creation of standardized part numbers based on your company’s CPN schema and allows users to create custom part numbers according to their needs. This feature supports diverse project requirements, ensuring the PLM system can accommodate various industries and applications. Furthermore, it ensures consistency, traceability, and compliance with industry standards.
For more information, please refer to the SolidWorks CAD Pull Part and CPN Generation article.
Search and Filtering
The add-in includes search and filtering features to improve user experience and efficiency. The search function allows users to quickly find components in large assemblies by searching for names and CPNs. Quick filters provide additional flexibility, enabling users to refine their searches quickly.
BOM Search
The Bill of Materials (BOM) search feature helps users locate specific parts or assemblies by entering keywords or part numbers. This functionality is particularly useful for quickly finding components in large assemblies.
Quick Filters
Quick Filters allow users to apply preset conditions to their searches, streamlining the process of finding relevant components. This feature significantly enhances efficiency when working with large datasets.
Tree View and Grid View
The plugin offers Tree View and Grid View options for displaying assembly structures. The Tree View shows a hierarchical representation of components, making it easy to understand relationships. The Grid View lists components in a table for quick sorting and comparison. Both views support smooth navigation and interaction with large assemblies.
PDM
The Duro Solidworks add-in integrates with SolidWorks PDM as well as Duro's own PDM One solution. PDM One allows you to remain within SolidWorks to check in and check out files. Check out files as you work on them to protect them from being unintentionally overwritten. Once you’ve finished working, check the files back in again so they’re available for other team members to edit, making it effortless to collaborate on design files. For more details on this, refer to our PDM One article.
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