Designing large, complex industrial equipment is no small task. From heavy machinery and production lines to automation systems and custom equipment, engineers must balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, and time-to-market. While basic CAD tools may work for simple parts, they often fall short when projects grow in scale and complexity.
That is exactly where SOLIDWORKS Ultimate for Industrial Equipment Design stands apart.
At Mettler Design, we work closely with industrial equipment manufacturers who rely on SOLIDWORKS every day. However, as competition increases and designs become more advanced, many teams need more than traditional CAD. SOLIDWORKS Ultimate builds on SOLIDWORKS Premium by adding powerful tools for simulation, manufacturing, collaboration, visualization, and data management—all designed to handle complex assemblies with confidence.
Let’s explore why SOLIDWORKS Ultimate is the ultimate choice for industrial equipment and machine design teams.
Why Industrial Equipment Design Demands More Than Basic CAD
Industrial equipment design involves far more than modeling parts and assemblies. Engineers must ensure machines can withstand real-world loads, thermal stresses, vibration, and long-term use. At the same time, teams must collaborate across departments, manage massive product structures, and prepare designs for efficient manufacturing.
As a result, manufacturers need:
- Reliable simulation early in the design process
- Seamless collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams
- Advanced CAM tools to reduce production errors
- High-quality visuals for documentation, sales, and marketing
- A single source of truth for all design data
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate for Industrial Equipment Design addresses all these needs in one integrated solution.
What Is SOLIDWORKS Ultimate?
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate is a comprehensive product development package that extends the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS Premium. Instead of relying on disconnected add-ins or third-party tools, SOLIDWORKS Ultimate delivers a unified ecosystem for design, simulation, manufacturing, and visualization.
More importantly, it is built with specific industries in mind—especially industrial equipment and machine design.
At Mettler Design, we help customers leverage SOLIDWORKS Ultimate to reduce design risk, improve collaboration, and accelerate production timelines.
Key Industrial Equipment Design Tools in SOLIDWORKS Ultimate
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate includes several powerful tools specifically tailored for complex machinery. Below, we explore the most impactful ones for industrial equipment manufacturers.
Sync Design and Simulation with Structural Designer and the ABAQUS Solver
Why Simulation Matters in Industrial Equipment Design
When designing industrial equipment, assumptions can be costly. Equipment failure leads to downtime, safety risks, and expensive rework. That is why simulation plays a critical role early in the design process.
Structural Designer with ABAQUS Realistic Simulation
Structural Designer is a cloud-based simulation tool included in SOLIDWORKS Ultimate. It uses ABAQUS Realistic Simulation technology, which is trusted across high-performance industries for its accuracy and reliability.
Because Structural Designer connects directly to your CAD data, your simulations stay synchronized with every design change. As a result, you can validate performance without breaking your workflow.
Key Capabilities
- Linear Simulations: Perform linear static, buckling, natural frequency, and steady-state thermal studies
- High-Performance Cloud Computing: Run complex simulations faster without taxing local hardware
- Early Design Validation: Identify potential failures before physical prototypes
By simulating real-world behavior early, engineers reduce the need for costly prototypes. At the same time, they gain confidence that equipment will perform as expected once deployed.
Seamlessly Collaborate and Manage Complexity with 3D Product Architect
Managing Large Assemblies with Confidence
Industrial equipment often consists of thousands of components across multiple subassemblies. Managing this level of complexity can overwhelm traditional CAD workflows.
That is where 3D Product Architect, a core component of SOLIDWORKS Ultimate, becomes invaluable.
Cloud-Based Product Structure Management
3D Product Architect allows teams to create, modify, and explore multi-CAD product structures in a cloud environment. Instead of working in silos, teams collaborate in real time with a clear view of the entire product.
Key Capabilities
- Create Digital Mockups: Quickly build and review complete product structures
- Explore Product Structures: Use tools like Measure and Section to analyze design changes
- Simplify Design Variations: Manage multiple configurations without confusion
Because everything lives in one environment, engineers gain better visibility into how changes impact the overall system. As a result, teams respond faster to design updates and customer requirements.
At Mettler Design, we see manufacturers significantly reduce errors by using 3D Product Architect as their single collaboration hub.
Create Immersive Documentation and Marketing with 3D Demonstrator
Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Marketing
Industrial equipment is complex, and explaining its value can be challenging. Traditional drawings and static renders often fail to communicate functionality effectively.
3D Demonstrator, included in SOLIDWORKS Ultimate, transforms how manufacturers present their products.
Interactive 3D and VR Experiences
3D Demonstrator enables teams to create interactive 3D, web-based, and VR experiences using existing CAD data—without any coding.
Key Capabilities
- Impactful 3D Experiences: Showcase product features in immersive environments
- Cross-Channel Content: Use the same data for web, sales, training, and VR
- Reduced Time to Market: Move quickly from Virtual Twin to commercial media
With 3D Demonstrator, manufacturers communicate value clearly while reducing documentation and marketing costs. This is especially valuable for industrial equipment with complex internal systems.
Simplify Manufacturing with Advanced CAM Tools from DELMIA Shop Floor Programmer
From Design to Production—Without Disconnects
Manufacturing precision is critical for industrial equipment. Errors in toolpaths or setups lead to scrap, delays, and added costs.
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate includes advanced CAM capabilities through DELMIA Shop Floor Programmer, creating a seamless bridge between design and manufacturing.
Advanced CAM for Industrial Equipment
Key Capabilities
- Real-Time Toolpath Verification: Validate machining operations before production
- Automatic Feature Recognition: Quickly identify machinable features
- Optimized CNC Programming: Improve accuracy and reduce cycle times
Because CAM tools connect directly to SOLIDWORKS models, manufacturers avoid translation errors. As a result, parts move from design to production faster and with greater confidence.
Why Choose SOLIDWORKS Ultimate for Industrial Equipment Design?
Beyond individual tools, SOLIDWORKS Ultimate delivers high-level benefits that directly impact productivity and business growth.
Scalable Solutions for Every Stage of Growth
Whether you are a growing startup or an established manufacturer, SOLIDWORKS Ultimate scales with your needs. Teams can start with essential capabilities and expand into advanced simulation, CAM, and visualization as projects grow.
This flexibility makes SOLIDWORKS Ultimate a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix.
A Single Source of Truth for Product Data
One of the biggest challenges in industrial equipment design is data fragmentation. Files often live in multiple locations, leading to errors and inconsistencies.
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate solves this by connecting everything to a single source of truth. Design, simulation, manufacturing, and visualization data stay synchronized without manual imports or exports.
As a result, teams improve accuracy, reduce duplication, and protect critical intellectual property.
Built-In Learning and Skill Development
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate also includes access to thousands of training lessons. These resources help engineers quickly master advanced tools and stay productive as workflows evolve.
At Mettler Design, we support customers with both technology and training—ensuring teams get maximum value from their investment.
How Mettler Design Helps You Unlock the Full Power of SOLIDWORKS Ultimate
Choosing the right tools is only part of the journey. Implementing them effectively is what truly drives results.
As a trusted SOLIDWORKS partner, Mettler Design helps industrial equipment manufacturers:
- Select the right SOLIDWORKS Ultimate configuration
- Implement best practices for large assembly design
- Integrate simulation, CAM, and collaboration workflows
- Train teams for long-term success
We work alongside your engineers to ensure SOLIDWORKS Ultimate fits seamlessly into your existing processes.
Transform Your Industrial Equipment Design Process Today
Industrial equipment manufacturers face increasing pressure to deliver reliable, innovative machines faster than ever. Traditional CAD alone can no longer keep up with these demands.
SOLIDWORKS Ultimate for Industrial Equipment Design provides a complete, connected solution—combining advanced simulation, collaboration, manufacturing, and visualization tools in one powerful package.
By partnering with Mettler Design, you can confidently design complex machinery, reduce risk, and improve production uptime.
Discover the ultimate product development experience with SOLIDWORKS Ultimate. Contact Mettler Design today to learn how this robust SOLIDWORKS package can transform your industrial equipment design process.
