This document discusses configurators for Solid Edge that are created by EDA, Inc. It defines a configurator as a tool that creates configured Solid Edge parts, assemblies, and drawings from simple user input. Companies that design customizable products or operate in competitive markets would benefit from a configurator. Good configurators utilize widely available software like Excel, create multiple output file types, and can have a web-based interface. The presentation provides examples of configurators built by EDA, including a web-based solution for ordering custom shims and a non-web based solution for configuring electrical enclosures in Excel.

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SOLID EDGE UNIVERSITY 2014
Re-imagine What’s Possible
#SEU14
Solid Edge University 2014
May 12-14, Atlanta, GA, USA
Configurators for Solid Edge
Madison Miner, Software Engineer, EDA, Inc.

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Presenter background
EDA, Inc. (Engineering Design Automation, Inc.
• EDA has been an automation consultant for over 23 years.
• Madison has been a software engineer @ EDA for 11 years.
• EDA has experience automating Solid Edge, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Google
SketchUp, MS Office and developing custom applications.
• EDA has automated product configuration, quoting, drafting, design,
engineering for numerous manufacturers.
• EDA is a Siemens PLM Solution Partner for Solid Edge.

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Questions to be answered during this presentation
• What is a configurator?
• Who benefits from a configurator?
• What qualities should you look for
in a good configurator?
• Sample applications built by EDA
(web and non-web based)
• Q & A

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What is a configurator for Solid Edge?
Creates configured Solid Edge parts, assemblies, drawings from simple
user input – many different levels of Solid Edge Automation possible
Configurators can be very simple – Basic: setting up parametric models in Solid
Edge and controlling them via the Variables Table.
A more complex configurator application might include links from the Solid Edge
Variables Table to an Excel spreadsheet that contains design calculations.
The most automated solution would include file management (making new
copies, renaming, relinking files), might include a web-interface for customers or
outside sales, and would create not only Solid Edge models & drawings, but also
manufacturing files like DXF, DWG, or SAT files.

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What type of company needs a configurator?
Companies that design custom products: Their customers can select custom
sizes, add and remove product options
Companies in competitive marketplaces: A configurator can significantly
reduce the turnaround time from sales to manufacturing by restricting product
configuration choices, generating custom parts & drawings without human
intervention, and allowing flat pattern or other files to go straight to
manufacturing.
Companies whose products have design rules: In order to use a configurator,
the product must be able to be automated using design rules.
For example: Conveyors, enclosures, steel structures, pressure vessels,
elevators, office furniture.

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Qualities of good configurator software
Utilizes widely available software to store design info: Most companies
already use MS Excel to store design calculations and product options. Beware
of configurator software that requires you to store design info in formats that can’t
be accessed or maintained by your own engineers.
Creates multiple types of output files: Configured 3D models are just the first
step. 2D proposal & approval drawings, manufacturing detail drawings, flat
patterns, and PDF files are also crucial for most companies. Make sure the
configurator you are considering can output all the specific types of files your
company will need.
Has a Web-based interface/option: Web based applications allow the company
to open the configurator up to outside sales, or to customers. Also can simplify
program updates. Makes configurator available 24-7, worldwide.

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EDA Edge Design Configurator

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EDA Configurator examples
Solid Edge Automation Applications Developed by EDA, Inc.
• A Web-based solution: custom shims ordered online, Solid Edge models,
drawings & flat pattern files generated automatically with shipping documents
by the configurator.
• Non-web based solution: custom electrical enclosures configured by engineers
in MS Excel, then a single click creates new Solid Edge models, assemblies,
assembly and part drawings, flat patterns, DXF & SAT files for manufacturing,
and PDF files.
• EDA’s Edge Design configurator can be used for either type of solution, works
with existing Solid Edge models & existing Excel design spreadsheets.

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Web-based Solution

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Edge Design Configurator

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Thank you!
Questions?
Madison Miner
Software Engineer
Engineering Design Automation, Inc.
5747 Hannegan Rd.
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: (360) 398-1319
Website: www.edainc.net
E-mail:
madison@edainc.net