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Cutting the Clutter

Is Automation in CAD a Hindrance or an Opportunity for Offshore Service Providers?

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Author's Corner

In this white paper, PK Das, Client Services Director, examines the dual impact of CAD automation on offshore service providers, exploring whether it presents more of a hindrance or an opportunity.

Please click on the video to the right to learn more about the author, hear his insights on this white paper, and discover what motivated him to write about this topic.

To discuss this white paper in detail, please contact PK using the information provided at the bottom of the page.

The Impact of CAD Automation on
Offshore Service Providers

Computer-Aided-Design or CAD software has revolutionized design across industries by enabling engineers and designers to craft complex models, simulate performance, and iterate designs with precision in a timely manner. As organizations seek to maximize productivity and adaptability, they often partner with offshore-based outsourcing CAD service providers.

In the meantime, the innovation in the CAD Automation & Customization space has profoundly influenced the design and engineering landscape. For CAD service providers, these innovations present both disruptive challenges and transformative opportunities. The impact of CAD Automation thus depends on how well the providers adapt to the technological advancements and leverage them for their win-win business models.

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Leveraging Advanced CAD Automation Tools for Competitive Advantage

Organizations make use of leading CAD Automation tools such as DriveWorks, iLogic, and RuleStream to gain a competitive edge in design & development. While DriveWorks and iLogic are specific to the Solidworks and AutoDesk Inventor CAD environments, respectively, Siemens’ RuleStream is CAD-neutral and works with third-party environments as well, like Creo, for example. These tools basically automate repetitive tasks, improve accuracy, and enable complex design optimization, thereby redefining traditional design workflows.

automation

(Image Source: https://blogs.autodesk.com/inventor/whats-new-2022-drawing-automation/)

The following disruptive aspects for offshore providers can be foreseen with the advent of innovation in CAD Automation:

  • Reduced Labor Costs: One of the main reasons for offshore outsourcing is cost savings due to lower labor costs. CAD Automation reduces the need for manual labor, thereby diminishing the cost advantage that comes with organizations seeking out offshoring providers.

  • Decreased Demand: Automation tools are accessible globally, allowing firms in high-cost regions to remain competitive. This reduces the need for companies to outsource design services offshore.

  • Skillset Shifts: The demand for traditional CAD skills may decline as automation takes over routine tasks. This requires a shift in the skillsets of the workforce in offshore firms, thereby necessitating training and upskilling.

  • High Initial Investment: Implementing automation tools requires significant upfront investment in software, training, and infrastructure, which might be a barrier for some offshore providers.

Opportunities for
Offshore Service Providers Amidst CAD Automation

On the other hand, there are opportunities for Offshore Service Providers: CAD Automation significantly increases efficiency and productivity by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks. This allows for more projects to be handled with the same or fewer given resources. With routine tasks automated, offshore design service providers can now focus on offering higher-value services, such as design optimization, analysis, and innovation -- services that command higher prices and provide a competitive edge. Automation also enables easier scalability of operations without a significant increase in labor costs, ultimately allowing them to take on larger projects and support more clients.

In general, automated systems reduce human error, leading to higher quality and more consistent designs. However, in the world of CAD automation, there are still kinks that need to be ironed out. Although a manufacturer’s interest lies in keeping the manual drafting effort-hours to a minimum when obtaining the automated output drawings from the associated 3D models, a human designer’s intervention is often required to ensure that the true dimensions are in order and the desired formatting is correctly reflected on the generated drawing sheets.

This is exactly where a CAD designer’s experienced human eye becomes indispensable. Moreover, through various advanced “customization” techniques, designers can often modify the CAD software’s settings, interfaces, or functionalities to align with the specific organizational requirements and industry standards. Customization, therefore, comes with additional benefits: (i) Enhanced Flexibility by adapting to unique workflows, industry standards, and project specifications, (ii) Improved User Experience through tailored interfaces and tools, and lastly, (iii) Specialized Functionality with the help of custom plugins to achieve the desired design intent.

Vee Technologies is one such global service provider thriving with a wide spectrum of tailored CAD service offerings across engineering industries. In the case of one of our specialized custom vehicle manufacturing clients in the US, our lead project engineer was fully trained in the DriveWorks environment alongside the client’s designers with the goal of eventually performing the higher-order CAD administrative functions remotely as an expert Rules Developer for that client.

Therefore, considering both sides of the argument, service providers can strategically adapt to the disruptions and potential opportunities by considering the following:

  • Investing in Technology: Proactively investing in the latest CAD Automation tools and technologies to stay ahead of the competition

  • Training and Upskilling: Focusing on continuous training and upskilling of the workforce to handle advanced design tasks and leverage automation tools effectively

  • Process Optimization: Optimizing internal processes to integrate automation seamlessly and improve overall efficiency

  • Partnerships and Collaboration: Forming strategic partnerships with technology providers and other stakeholders to enhance capabilities and market reach

In summary, while automation in CAD presents certain challenges for offshore outsourcing design service providers in the short term, it also offers significant opportunities for those willing to adapt and innovate for the long term. As we step into the future, the integration of Automation & Customization, AI & ML, cloud-based collaboration, VR/AR technologies, and additive manufacturing will come to reshape the design & manufacturing landscape. Embracing these trends, therefore, will undoubtedly be a key competitive advantage for businesses seeking to stay at the forefront.

By embracing a combination of various methods and implementing the best practices, organizations can overcome geographical barriers, drive productivity, and achieve business excellence.

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References:

  • https://www.mtwmag.com/future-trends-in-cad-cam-systems/
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010448500000178
  • https://www.machinedesign.com/automation-iiot/article/21837248/the-future-of-cad-software
PK Das

Meet the Author

PK Das - Client Services Director

PK Das brings over 30 years of diverse industry experience to his role at Vee Technologies, where he focuses on aligning engineering services with client needs, managing strategic accounts, and fostering strong communication with leadership teams. Since joining Vee Technologies in 2017, PK has applied his extensive expertise as a mechanical engineer, gained over 15 years of hands-on practice across the United States, Europe, and India. His deep understanding of the engineering landscape, combined with his global experience, positions him as a key leader in driving innovation and client success at Vee Technologies.

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