SOLIDWORKS Poised To Advance AI-driven Engineering, Integrate Design Validation In 2027

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- SOLIDWORKS plans to advance its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven engineering workflows, enhance virtual companions and integrate design validation as part of its key technology priorities heading into 2027.

SOLIDWORKS is a proprietary three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software developed by French-based multinational technology corporation Dassault Systèmes.

Its chief executive officer Manish Kumar said the company aims to help engineers and manufacturers streamline product development, improve design accuracy and accelerate the transition from conceptualisation to manufacturing, particularly as industries increasingly adopt AI to move up the value chain.

“We want to move from intent to delivery… allowing users to simply state their intentions. For example, an engineer working on an assembly may want to understand how a load is transferred from the motor all the way to the axle. Instead of having to navigate multiple commands, we want to provide that insight directly.

“Our goal is to move from a command-by-command approach to an intent-to-delivery model, where users can carry out their workflows more seamlessly,” he told Bernama.

He said the company also plans to enhance its virtual companions, namely Leo, Aura and Marie, which are integrated into its applications to allow users to interact with the software and obtain guidance through natural language.

The virtual companions would be supported by a framework comprising three layers — companions, competencies and skills — to address different engineering disciplines and workflows.

“Essentially, the companions are enriched by competencies, and each competency comes with specific skills. For example, mechanical design may involve skills in creating detailed designs, developing conceptual designs and producing technical drawings that are ready for manufacturing.

“Therefore, our second priority is to continue enhancing these capabilities to ensure they can support the different workflows users want to apply in moving from intent to delivery,” he said.

Manish said SOLIDWORKS aims to make design validation an integral part of the engineering process, particularly as AI enables designers to generate multiple design options more quickly and at a lower cost.

This would increase the importance of determining which designs are most suitable for production, with validation extending beyond conventional assessments of structural strength and fatigue resistance.

“Validation should not be limited to structural strength or fatigue resistance. It should cover every aspect, including whether a design is strong enough, how long it will last, whether it can be manufactured and what its environmental impact will be.

“This is key because if AI can provide all these validation capabilities while a product is being designed, we are looking at an entirely different world. Designers will have greater confidence that the products they develop are viable and can ultimately be manufactured,” he said.

Meanwhile, he added that SOLIDWORKS is also supporting local talent development through its Skills Force Programme, which provides free software licences to companies hiring interns, as a part of the group's broader efforts to support skills development and nurture the next generation of engineering talent.

“It is a global initiative that supports companies hiring interns or apprentices, gaining practical work experience. This could be particularly beneficial in Malaysia, given the country's sizable manufacturing presence, allowing more companies to take advantage of the initiative.

“Starting in July this year, we have made the student version of SOLIDWORKS available free of charge, allowing students anywhere in the world to download and use the software to develop their technical skills and better prepare themselves for the workforce,” he added.

-- BERNAMA