Hey everyone! In this video, I’m going to show you an extensive demo on SolidWorks Automation. Many people aren’t aware of design automation, so I’ll start with a brief introduction.
Implementing automation in your regular design tasks can boost your productivity by 50% to 200%. To put it simply, if a design that usually takes you two months can be completed in less than an hour using automation, that’s a huge time-saver! You can automate design tasks with any mechanical design software like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, NX, or CATIA.
Before we jump into the demo, let me share an important insight: You may have heard a lot about automation in various fields, but it’s not just a trend. In fact, automation is the future of engineering and design. With the world rapidly advancing in AI and automation, it won’t be long before all the manual tasks we do today— even in R&D— will be automated. This makes it crucial to upgrade our skills to stay ahead of the curve. If we don’t, we might struggle to land high-paying jobs in the future.
This applies to both individuals and companies. Companies that can improve their processes and automate tasks will attract more clients, driving growth both for the business and for the employees. And automation is one of the key skills that can place you at the top of the list when employers are hiring for high-level positions.
For today’s demo, I’m using SolidWorks because it’s my favorite software and one of the most widely used 3D modeling tools in industries today. Did you know that over 6 million people use SolidWorks worldwide? Here’s a comparison of SolidWorks, NX, and CATIA. I gathered this data through AI models, and you can check it out for yourself. That doesn’t mean CATIA and NX aren’t also great—they have significant applications in aerospace, automotive, and heavy equipment industries. The software you choose should depend on your specific needs. If you’re just starting, SolidWorks is a great option due to its large user base and higher chance of getting hired.
Now, let’s dive into the demo. I’ve created a pressure vessel for this purpose. The actual design would be far more complex and manually designing it could take up to two weeks due to strict guidelines like ASME boiler regulations, ISO standards, European standards, safety features, and lots of engineering calculations. But I’ve automated this design using the SolidWorks API, where all the calculations are built into the tool. Let’s see how long it takes to develop this model from scratch to final drawing.
I’ll close this file and split the screen to show you both SolidWorks and the automation tool. This tool is a portable .exe file, so it doesn’t require any installation or plugins. Users can simply double-click to run it. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.
When I run the tool, a pop-up UI appears with input fields and an image to help users understand the inputs. For example, users can input values like tank capacity, shell length, diameter, thickness, etc., and can refer to the image if they’re unsure about a specific field. Users can also choose the material, standards, and number of nozzles, then select a destination folder to save all the output files.
Let’s start by adding a nozzle. I’ll click the plus button to open a new window where I’ll input the nozzle’s specifications— like the length, pipe size, and angle. Once I click “Create nozzle,” the nozzle is automatically created, and it’s fast! Let’s do this for a couple more nozzles, each with different specifications.
Now that we have all the inputs, I’ll move to the next step. The UI has various buttons for different functions: creating parts, assembly, and drawings. When I click “Parts,” the software automatically generates all the required components. You’ll see the shell, dish heads, supports, lifting lugs, and manholes being created one by one. The components are all color-coded, with materials and assembly identifiers applied.
Next, I’ll click the “Assembly” button, and SolidWorks automatically imports all the components into the assembly template. You can see how beautifully the assembly is built with the reinforcement plates, bolts, fasteners, and more.
Now, let’s move on to creating the drawings. A customized template opens, and all the necessary views are imported automatically. You’ll also get a bill of materials, dimensions, sectional views, and everything needed for the final drawing. If I click “Export PDF,” the drawing is exported as a PDF, and the file appears in the target folder. Similarly, if I click “Export BOM,” an Excel sheet with the bill of materials is generated. Everything is done with a few simple clicks!
Finally, when I hit “Close All,” all the files in SolidWorks are closed, and clicking “Exit Program” closes the automation tool. And if I click “Exit,” SolidWorks itself closes too.
This is the power of automation—everything was completed in under five minutes with 100% accuracy. Imagine if your company could automate these tasks— you’d save time and resources, increase productivity, and free up your time for more innovative tasks.
I personally implemented automation in my work years ago, and it greatly reduced my stress and work hours. I was able to work for just 3–4 days a month, using the rest of the time to upskill. So, even if your company doesn’t use automation yet, implementing it in your regular tasks can give you more time to focus on things that matter.
If you’re looking to upgrade your skills, we offer training in SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, and AutoCAD automation. Our courses don’t require prior programming knowledge, and we provide hands-on experience with C#, VBA, and VB.NET. We’re offering a trial class for SolidWorks automation at just 99 rupees, where you’ll get a glimpse of the course content, teaching style, and the automation tool we demonstrated today. Plus, there’s a 50% discount on the full course!
I hope this video gives you a good idea of the power of automation. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Take care!
