In the rapidly evolving world of engineering, design files and technical drawings are essential for numerous departments, ranging from manufacturing to quality control. Yet, sharing these files poses difficulties, particularly when diverse teams depend on different software tools and have varying access needs.
By integrating SolidWorks and Autodesk Vault and using automation tools such as powerJobs, companies can enable efficient file sharing, foster collaboration, and improve workflows.
This article presents a workflow that connects SolidWorks to Autodesk Vault, generating PDF drawings for departmental collaboration and using Vault Thin Client and Gateway for easy sharing.
1. Integrating SolidWorks with Autodesk Vault
A critical part of improving collaboration across departments is centralizing file storage to ensure version control and easy access. The Autodesk Vault add-in for SolidWorks is a powerful solution that enables SolidWorks users to work within Autodesk Vault seamlessly. This integration allows teams to leverage Vault’s secure and structured file management for SolidWorks data, ensuring that all design iterations, files, and changes are readily available within a single system.
By centralizing SolidWorks data in Vault, companies establish a foundation for collaboration and efficient file management that is crucial for the following steps in this workflow.
2. Automating File Publishing with powerJobs for Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Once SolidWorks files are stored and managed within Autodesk Vault, the next step in fostering collaboration is making those files accessible to team members who don’t have CAD access. Creating readable, shareable formats such as PDFs ensures that non-CAD users, including teams in production, quality control, and management, can access drawings and design documents easily.
This is where powerJobs, an automation tool integrated into Autodesk Vault, becomes invaluable.
With powerJobs, you can set up automated tasks such as publishing SolidWorks drawings as PDFs each time a file is updated or reaches a certain lifecycle state.
But it doesn’t stop there. powerJobs also enables the automated delivery of these generated documents or design files to key users or shared locations. The system can:
Save Files to network folders or shared drives so that departments relying on centralized document access can easily find and retrieve the latest designs.
Publish to cloud storage solutions such as Fusion Teams, Sharepoint or Microsoft Teams, where files can be organized and accessed by various teams within the organization. SharePoint integration is especially useful for departments that collaborate on design documentation through shared online repositories.
Email Files directly to key stakeholders whenever a new version is generated, ensuring that users outside Vault, such as external contractors or remote team members, receive real-time updates. This automated email feature allows for customizing recipient lists based on project roles or departments as well as customizing watermarks on the PDFs, ensuring that the right people receive updates without delay.
3. Facilitating Inter-Departmental Access with Vault Thin Client and Vault Gateway
After automating the publishing process, sharing the drawings with different departments becomes the focus.
Autodesk Vault offers key free tools that enhance file access and visibility for non-CAD users: Vault Thin Client and Vault Gateway.
Vault Thin Client
The Vault Thin Client is a web-based interface that allows users to view, search, and download files from Vault without needing full Vault access or even a license. Departments or external collaborator that need only read access to drawings can easily use the Thin Client to review the PDFs generated by powerJobs. This lightweight access option enables non-engineering teams to collaborate on design data without requiring advanced training or software installations.
Vault Gateway
The Vault Gateway is a tool that allows remote access to another Vault, making it an ideal solution for distributed teams. Suppose a department or team works offsite, or HomeOffice and needs periodical access to design files. In that case, the Vault Gateway can securely extend access to these users, allowing them to connect directly to Vault’s file storage.
4. Enhancing Workflow Efficiency and Data Security
Integrating SolidWorks into Autodesk Vault, automating tasks with powerJobs, and providing easy access with Vault Thin Client and Gateway creates a seamless workflow that reduces bottlenecks in data sharing. This workflow also offers several additional benefits, including improved data security and efficiency.
Since Vault is designed with built-in security features, all design files, including PDFs, are stored securely with access controls, ensuring that only authorized departments can access or modify files. Additionally, as all design iterations are logged in Vault, it provides traceability and accountability for each modification, making it easy to identify and rectify any issues.
By integrating SolidWorks and Autodesk Vault and using automation tools such as powerJobs, companies can create a streamlined workflow for sharing CAD data across departments. This approach addresses many of the common challenges in engineering workflows—ensuring data consistency, improving accessibility, and enhancing cross-functional collaboration.
Check out the COOLORANGE solution that integrates SolidWorks & Vault for automating your design-to-manufacturing process.