Join us as SOLIDWORKS Data Management Expert, Sawyer Gara, leads us through an overview of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Replication. We’ll start off by discussing the architectural fundamentals of a PDM Server and how it all interacts with the end user. After understanding the architecture, we’ll dive into PDM Replication and understand why you might want to consider replicating your PDM Server. From there, we go a little deeper into some of the nuances of SOLIDWORKS PDM Replication. Finally, we’ll discuss some keys to success and areas to think about when implementing Vault Replication.

During this SOLIDWORKS PDM webinar, you will learn:

• The Fundamentals of PDM Server Architecture
• Understand SOLIDWORKS PDM Replication
• Learn the Benefits of Replicating PDM
• Differentiate Archive Server vs. Database Server Replication
• Keys to a Successful Replication

Join us as TriMech Solutions Consultant, Ray Morrogh dives into all things PDM including going over some of the new enhancements to PDM in 2025, so even existing users will find some enlightenment in this overview.

During this SOLIDWORKS PDM webinar, you will learn:

• Give an overview of the PDM interface, both inside Explorer and inside SOLIDWORKS
• Complete a change process to demonstrate document control and automation
• Discuss the power of search capabilities of PDM

Join us as TriMech Systems Architect, Andrew Lidstone, discusses best practices for SOLIDWORKS PDM performance. First, we’ll discuss the SOLIDWORKS PDM server components and considerations for system architecture. Then we’ll review best practice configuration settings for the Microsoft SQL Server instance hosting the PDM database. Then, we’ll review maintenance plans that will help maintain performance over time.

During this SOLIDWORKS PDM webinar, you will learn:

• PDM system architecture’s impact on performance
• Microsoft SQL Server configuration recommendations
• How to set up maintenance plans to handle index fragmentation

10. User Experience Delighters

We’ve all been there. You rebuild your SOLIDWORKS model only to find that you’ve got missing references and broken relations in your sketches. Well, now you can streamline the correction of these sketches with the ability to reattach broken sketch relations and dimensions. But also repeat these for all dangling dimensions.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 Sketch Broken Dimensions

9. Cut List Property Editor

Being able to edit the cut list property information of multi body parts has always been incredibly useful. However, copying these properties from one item to another has always been rather time consuming.

In 2025, we can simply choose specific properties to copy to either all items or just specific ones, potentially saving lots of time with those models with large amounts of cut list items. This release sees the ability to edit assemblies in large design review mode faster, with breadcrumb selections that make the selection hierarchy much clearer than in previous releases. A simple but effective improvement.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 Copy Cut List Property

8. Improved Output with Immersive Rendering

We can now create compelling, immersive content to inspire your customers by automating the creation of photo-realistic renderings, by leveraging SOLIDWORKS Visualize with the SOLIDWORKS API. Take advantage of the latest advancements in GPU technology with real time interactive ray tracing based on the open standard Vulcan API for 3D graphics and computing.

SOLIDWORKS Visualize 2025 Realtime Raytracing

7. Streamlined ECAD to MCAD Collaboration and Design

In 2025 CircuitWorks is now available to all SOLIDWORKS users. Another nice addition is that we can now import internal and external copper features, including VRS traces and shapes from ECAD to SOLIDWORKS using IDX files.

This enables more accurate mass, thermal structural shock, and even electromagnetic analysis with access to more detailed copper trace information in the PCB. Streamline the ECAD to MCAD collaboration process for a more complete PCB design and simulation workflow.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 CircuitWorks Available for All

6. More flexible 3D Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Now you can enjoy faster, more flexible 3D dimensioning and tolerance. In SOLIDWORKS 2025. It couldn’t be easier. Now that you can create DimXpert dimensions from sketch dimensions.

We also have the ability to get DimXpert dimension support for drafted geometry. A huge time saver when dealing with molded components requiring geometric dimensioning and tolerances. In 2025. We can communicate our product manufacturing information or PMI downstream with increased flexibility and control with the new and improved STEP242 export settings.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 PMI Step 242 Settings

5. Improved Detailing of Drawings

Reduce the need for manual workarounds and streamline your drawings approval by enforcing company rules with multi approval stamps on drawings.

Any time on any connected device. When it comes to creating bills of materials on our drawings, we can now choose whether to display the quantity for structural members in the BOM table as either quantity or length x quantity. This can be a huge time saver when it comes to accurate information for manufacturing.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 Detail Cut List BOM

4. Faster Assembly Modeling

We’ve long been able to accelerate assembly design by copying assembly components along with their mates. Well, now in 2025 this has been improved by allowing us to copy components along with their associated advanced and mechanical mates. This year there are improvements with the interference detection tools.

Now we’re able to highlight interference between surface bodies or surface and solid bodies, useful for designs that include a mix of geometries. We are also able to detect interference while in large design review mode, saving us valuable time when it comes to evaluating assemblies with large numbers of components.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 LDR Interference Detection

3. Improved Performance

Every year, SOLIDWORKS offers its users big improvements in performance, and this year is no exception. We can now create highly simplified parts and make them associative to the parent part by using the silhouette feature method. These tools can offer significant performance gains when working with parts and assemblies with large amounts of detail.

We can also boost productivity by adding SpeedPak configurations at the top level of your assemblies, without needing to modify any of the sub-assemblies that might be contained within it. Also, new in 2025 is the ability to accelerate the calculation of mass properties for assemblies with previously calculated values for parts and bodies.

For example, when a change of material is made to a part within an assembly, the mass properties calculation for that assembly is recalculated in an instant.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 Part Top Level Speedpak

2. More Effective Collaboration and Data Management

We can now deliver innovative products faster with improved collaboration and data management capabilities. Within SOLIDWORKS 2025. We can connect and collaborate easily with industry peers by accessing communities directly from SOLIDWORKS.

Stay up to date with real time notifications, ensuring that you are always working with the latest file versions during collaborative design processes. SOLIDWORKS PDM has been instrumental for years in allowing SOLIDWORKS users to safely and securely manage their data.

Well, new this year SOLIDWORKS PDM is now supported for SOLIDWORKS Connected users. This is a great enhancement for customers who value the licensing and deployment capabilities of SOLIDWORKS Connected, but want to leverage an existing SOLIDWORKS PDM environment.

And you can still benefit from secure collaboration by sharing your designs with others, allowing them to view and mock up your designs.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 Real Time Notifications

1. Greater Part Modeling Flexibility

Create the exact geometry needed for your design more efficiently with this year’s release. In 2025, we can boost efficiency by leveraging selection accelerators for the chamfer command to rapidly select multiple edges.

We can create smoother, variable size fillets with a new option to continuously blend fillets edges. This can save his time when trying to manage variable radius fillets. And finally, we can now also automatically create customizable bend notches on the flat patterned bend lines of a sheet metal part, perfect for those requiring that extra level of detail.

SOLIDWORKS 2025 Chamfer Selection Accelerator

What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2025 Live Webinar

We’re hosting a live webinar on October 1, 2024, at 10 AM ET; where we’ll show you even more of the new features from across the SOLIDWORKS suite and help you learn how to get the best from them. Registration is free and easy. Our panel of SOLIDWORKS experts will be available to answer any questions you might have about your design workflow. Expand your network and experience the latest engineering technology in action. Register for our SOLIDWORKS 2025 Launch Webinar »

• Leveraging Official SOLIDWORKS Resources: Already know your way around SOLIDWORKS PDM? Learn how to access deeper insights through official resources like the PDM Help Documentation, MySolidWorks platform, and the SOLIDWORKS Forum. We’ll show you how to efficiently find the specific information you need, even for the most complex issues.
• Engaging with User Groups and Expert Communities: Discover how to connect with other experienced SOLIDWORKS PDM users through local user groups and online communities. Sharing experiences with peers can provide you with unique insights and advanced solutions that go beyond the basics.
• Exploring Advanced Third-Party Resources: Tap into the extensive range of third-party blogs, YouTube channels, and tutorials that cater to advanced SOLIDWORKS PDM users. We’ll point you to the best sources for cutting-edge tips, tricks, and updates.
• Opportunities for Further Training and Certification: Learn about advanced training courses and certifications that can help you refine your skills and enhance your expertise in SOLIDWORKS PDM. We’ll guide you through the options available and how they can benefit your professional growth.

• Review Effective Backup Strategies
• Replacing SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive
• Restoring SOLIDWORKS PDM SQL Database
• Reinstituting SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server Settings
• Raising a SOLIDWORKS PDM Sandbox Environment

• Finding the history of a file in Windows Explorer vs SOLIDWORKS
• Forcing comments at check-in vs state changes
• Investigating the system history – who changed the configuration last
• Discover the Get Operations in a vault

Included in the on-demand webinar

TriMech Systems Architect, Applications, Patricia Bar reviews the three main areas of the EMU, Sync, BOM, and Metadata. With each area having its own function to either send information from PDM or have PDM receive that data. This webinar will discuss how those transactions can be automatic or through end-user interactions and we will cover the formats that the tool can automatically generate.

We will explore how the EMU facilitates communication between SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional and other systems, reducing the possibility of human error.  We also discuss TriMech’s philosophy regarding how to share information.

Watch the TriMech Power Suite on-demand webinar will allow you to:

• Learn TriMech’s philosophy for handling sharing information with other systems
• Discover the three main areas of the EMU feature of Power Suite Professional
• Determine the best options for exporting information

• The Auto Log Off feature
• The PDM Rename feature
• The ECx feature
• The Reference feature

• How to manage your data efficiently in one unified environment
• How to create digital product manufacturing information (PMI) directly inside your CAD files
• How tool pathing is automated directly off models while also taking tolerancing into consideration
• How to create inspection documentation directly from the model
• How to create intelligent, interactive content for shop floor use like assembly manual and quality assurance produce guides

The company is based in Waterloo, Ontario and was founded in 1988. It was known as Systematix until 2021, when Samuel, Son & Co acquired Systematix, and the Samuel Automation Solutions Group was formed.

We talked to two members of its multidisciplinary engineering team, Admir Mujanovic and Jim Peltier, who explained that as custom machine builders, every day is different. Customers present a product design and rely on Samuel Automation to automate the mass production process.

“Creating one-off custom equipment can be challenging,” Jim said. “We know the goal and we know what’s needed to get there. And there’s no stopping us.”

Matching the industry standard

Admir Mujanovic – Systematix Engineer

Samuel Automation chooses SOLIDWORKS, sold and supported by their technology partner Javelin, part of TriMech Group.

Jim said SOLIDWORKS allows their designers to get ideas out of their heads and into the minds of their colleagues who build the tools and machinery.

“It’s our design platform, but also our communication tool. It’s the language we use to communicate ideas. That also applies externally when we communicate with suppliers and customers.”

Samuel Automation started their switch to SOLIDWORKS in 2017. Admir explained that one reason for changing from Autodesk Inventor to SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software was to better match the skills of the available talent pool of designers and engineers, both recent graduates and established professionals.

“SOLIDWORKS is the industry standard. We’re keeping up to date and have been upgrading over the years.”

In switching to SOLIDWORKS, the team’s engineers were also hoping to avoid costly rework.

“With the SOLIDWORKS parametric approach to modeling, I know for a fact that no one here is talking about misaligned holes anymore,” Admir said.

Unlocking the potential of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional

A recent upgrade took Samuel Automation from SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard to SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional. Professional takes storing and managing data to the next level, with advanced workflow automation and the SOLIDWORKS PDM Application Programming Interface (API).

Jim completed the Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional training course with Javelin to gain the confidence to maximize the capabilities of the tool. He shared how he leveraged its high-end functionality – with tech support from Javelin – to create a macro that updates the geometry of an assembly in just two clicks.

“This means that if someone on the shop floor opens an assembly file, they see the most up-to-date version. Without this macro, they would see the assembly’s geometry as it was last saved. This is custom functionality that Javelin helped us develop.”

Automating documentation

API is used to automate redundant and lengthy design tasks and to create completed engineering applications that can run both inside and outside of the SOLIDWORKS application.

When a Samuel Automation customer asked that thousands of their drawings be formatted and numbered according to the customer’s methods, Jim relied on his design automation experience and the power of SOLIDWORKS API to create processes to do the work. Each drawing was updated in 30 seconds, when a more manual process would have taken 30 minutes. Overall, a project that Jim’s manager thought might take 10 months took just one.

Open API has also allowed Samuel Automation to integrate SOLIDWORKS with internal custom software and their ERP system. Data shared include part numbers, costing, and due dates.

Javelin on standby

Admir said that when his team was in the process of switching to SOLIDWORKS, they had a lot of questions about the installation and how to integrate with their custom software.

“I’ve dealt with vendors who made us feel like we weren’t supposed to ask questions.

Not once did Javelin say, ‘we can’t help you.’ You fill out a quick report and within a couple of hours, if not minutes, someone is reaching out to help you. You get quick, in-depth responses from very knowledgeable people. Having someone pretty much on standby during the tricky parts was fantastic.”

He added that various disciplines across the company – from designers to analysts to assemblers – use SOLIDWORKS tools differently, and that he appreciates that Javelin provides floating/network licensing for clients who need a pool of software licenses that can be shared among users.

Continued success with manufacturing solutions

Samuel Automation looks forward to an ever-expanding focus on sustainability measures, including persistently improving efficiency, reducing waste, and meeting customers’ growing need for energy savings through fully electric actuation.

Admir said integration is an ongoing theme, as Samuel Automation finds more opportunities to collaborate with their sister operations within the Samuel family of companies and continues to standardize software and processes among departments internally.

With personal support from Javelin and access to the wider product and service offerings of TriMech Group, Samuel Automation is well positioned to take on new challenges.

“Javelin is always happy to drop in and chat with us about the latest and greatest,” Admir said. “They understand what we do and how we do it, so they know what can help us.”

Samuel Automation is online at samuel.com/our-businesses/systematix.

Systematix – Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

• The SOLIDWORKS Property feature: The SOLIDWORKS Property feature allows a user to easily scan SOLIDWORKS files and discover all custom or configuration-specific properties for easy reporting and modification.
• The SOLIDWORKS Update feature: The SOLIDWORKS Update feature allows the PDM Administrator to update and change features on SOLIDWORKS files after a version upgrade, preventing end-users from having to manually check out and saving files
• in a PDM Professional vault to the latest release.
• The PDM Property feature: The TriMech PDM Property feature allows users to change the variable values that are currently stored in your PDM Professional database.
• The Sync feature: The PDM Sync feature provides scheduled caching of folders in PDM.

Join us as TriMech Solutions Consultant Sarah Taylor reviews some common compliance requirements including FDA, ISO 9001, ITAR, and more. We’ll look inside PDM to see what features of the solution can help your company reach the compliance you need.

During this SOLIDWORKS PDM Webinar, you will learn:

• PDM as a Central Repository
• Revision Tracking
• Workflows
• Notifications
• File History

• Compression Method
• Archive Splitting Method
• Cold Storage Method and more!

After completing the guide, you will be able to implement these methods and have a more organized and compressed PDM Archive.

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