Drive Works is a powerful design automation tool that can massively streamline the product design and ordering processes with a seamless connection to SolidWorks. It speeds up 3D modeling and reduces workloads to provide you with a fully configurable model perfect for those designs with slight variations and user customization. But the automation doesn't have to stop there. Remove the need for manual approval processes and drawing issuing by pairing drive works with SolidWorks PDM You'll replace manual with controlled access secure data and a highly organized easily searchable database of all of those potential configurations. Let's see how this conveyor belt manufacturer streamlined their manufacturing process by implementing both Drive Works and SolidWorks PDM to aid design and issue jobs to the shop floor. A new order has come in from the online configurator on the conveyor website and a specification is generated. The specification contains the order number overall size, color, rail configuration and bed type. All parameters that are controlled in SolidWorks when the drive work specification is processed. All the required SolidWorks files and any associated documents are automatically generated thanks to the integration between SolidWorks, PDM and Drive Works. The PDM project is automatically created. All the files are added and then checked into the vault. Now that the design has been captured inside our PDM vault, we can start reaping the true benefits of this fully integrated data management system. The embedded eDrawings viewer can be used to interrogate the design, so even users without SolidWorks installed can review it and suggest changes. We take measurements and thoroughly interrogate the design, easily exploring all of the SolidWorks references components contained within a file. The complete bill of materials and where each model is referenced can be explored via tabs in File Explorer. One of the greatest assets of SolidWorks PDM is the powerful and customizable search function. We saved a custom search specifically for our conveyor system, and we can search more precisely for bed types and rail configurations. Any parameters that drive works is automated from any of these results. We can easily navigate to the top level assembly or drawings. Drive Works has already automated and completed the design for us so we can submit it to the production manager for approval through the PDM workflow and the production manager is notified. SolidWorks PDM tracks modifications through version and revision control with names, dates and comments saved against design changes and lifecycle state changes, providing a complete audit trail for the design process when the production manager logs in, the notification is waiting for them with the list of documents requiring approval checks, custom notifications can be delivered via the built in mail system or via your desktop mail such as outlook, and the embedded hyperlinks can take notified users directly to the design files, so there's no need to waste time searching for the same files again. Our production manager doesn't have a SolidWorks license, but can comprehensively review the design and ensure that it meets the company standards before approving or rejecting the design on approval. SolidWorks PDM automatically generates neutral files, including PDFs of the drawings ready for issue to the shop floor so production can begin the highly configurable nature of SolidWorks. PDM makes it the ideal data management companion to drive works and as solid solutions, we can provide the service to implement PDM drive works and the integration between the two. So learn more about automation by visiting our website or get in touch with us today to explore your options via the details on screen.