This year, we’re diving deep into everything new in the Solid Edge 2024 release with a series of blog entries highlighting the most notable new features and advancements. This post will go over productivity improvements in Solid Edge 2024.
“The new automated features in Solid Edge 2024 and the use of Artificial Intelligence to speed up common tasks are going to be very beneficial for our team – Uchiyama Takahiro, EagleBurgmann”
With Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Solid Edge, you can get better outcomes faster. New AI assembly relationships automatically forecast and give appropriate alternatives when replacing parts in an assembly. An AI-powered user interface learns from your actions and displays important commands in the appropriate context. Intelligent modeling features of synchronous technology recognize and preserve design intent in real time, even on models from other systems. Furthermore, generative design tools augment concept design by autonomously computing geometric solutions from stated restrictions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assembly Relationships
When replacing parts in an assembly, use the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to save time. Solid Edge can now automatically offer assembly relationships and forecast valid alternative solutions with the updated “Replace Part” command. In the design environment, the projected solutions are graphically previewed and simply selected in a pop-up conversation.
When using parts from the Standard Parts and 3DfindIT parts libraries, the AI-enhanced “Replace Part” functionality additionally facilitates the establishment of assembly relationships.
Handed Parts With Full Feature Tree
Many designs necessitate symmetrically opposing or handed pieces. These components are mirror images of one another. A new streamlined approach makes it quicker and faster to build these left-/right-handed components, which can still be associated with the original part if necessary.
Handed parts can be made with one of two new workflows: the new “Remove Original” option under the “Mirror Copy Part” command, or the new “Save as Mirrored Part” command. Each is far more straightforward than the previous workflows required to build such a part. If desired, the new, handed parts created using these procedures can be linked to the original component using the “Link to Original” option.
Handed components can also be constructed with all of the features that were used to create and build them, making parametrically editing the new part simple. Both the Ordered and Synchronous environments enable mirrored part commands.
User-Driven Productivity Enhancements
- Family of Parts: Family of Parts’ customization options continue to grow. Material, file properties, etches, flat patterns, simplified bodies, multi-bodies, coordinate systems, reference planes, and sketches are now available and supported for each individual member.
- Automatic Tube Trim: The new “Trim Tubes” command automatically trims and cuts holes in intersecting tubes in the assembly environment, which was a frequently requested addition. The primary and secondary tubes can be defined by the user, and the “Trim Tubes” command intelligently cuts holes in the primary tubes to the outside diameter of the secondary tubes and trims the secondary tubes to the inner diameter of the primary tubes. End-connected tubes can also be automatically mitered when using the “Tube Trim” command.
- Polygon/Lasso Selection: When using the “Polygon/Lasso Selection” fencing option, users now have more control over picking items. A lasso selection lets the user pick items by drawing a freeform fence around them, whereas a polygon selection allows the user to select the numerous vertices of a polygon fence. This upgrade, which is available in both 2D and 3D environments, is an addition to the standard “Rectangle Fence” option.
- Enhanced Search: As complexity and assembly sizes grow, it can be difficult to locate parts within an assembly. New search enhancements make finding the right part easier. Users can input simple search terms and/or wildcards to search for part names. The new search enhancements work with the Parts, Feature, Block and Symbol libraries.
- Reorder assembly features: Users now have the option to reorder features to manipulate resulting geometry, which was previously only available in the part modeling environment, has been extended to the assembly modeling. It is one of the most requested improvements from customers.
- Part Copy: When cloning a part, the ability to simply match coordinate systems has been added. Within the “Part Copy Parameters” box, users can select the coordinate systems for a duplicated part. Setting the two coordinate systems to the same will result in the origin and axes orientations of the two coordinate systems matching.
- Remove disjoint regions: Unwanted regions left as the result of a subtract operation, or disjoint regions, can be easily removed with a new enhancement to the “Subtract” command. An optional “Select Region Step” has been added to the workflow where the disjoint regions can be intelligently identified and automatically removed.
- Variable table filters: Access to filters in variable tables has been improved. Users can now access the filters more quickly and easily, saving time, reducing mouse clicks, and enhancing usability of the variable tables.
- Sheet Metal Bend centerlines: Bend centerlines can now be displayed in the Flat Pattern environment in Part/Sheet Metal. The centerlines are color-coded, identifying the direction of the bend, leading to better understanding, and avoiding confusion when working with flat patterns.
UI Improvements
Solid Edge 2024 also introduces new features in the user interface designed to enhance productivity while bringing the latest news, promotions and in-app free trials directly to the user.
The new Discovery Center, which serves as a one-stop shop for news, promotions, and free trials, assists users in getting the most out of their Solid Edge experience. Content is displayed in a queue and is tailored to each individual user. The queue displays a preview of the information, and when selected, a detail pane to the right of the queue displays further information. Discovery Center content promotes product news, in-app trials, limited-time specials, and more. The information panes show viewers images, and videos, more links, and the option to sample or purchase add-on products.
The 30-day in-app trials allow consumers to test eight add-on products without having to download or install anything. The following add-on products are available for trial: XpresRoute, Generative Design Pro, Electrical Routing, Point Cloud Visualization, Advanced PMI, and Simulation Standard and Advanced. Users can filter and bookmark content to gain access to the information in which they are most interested.
With recent document preview users have a new, dynamic file open process to quickly and cleanly access most recently used files. A single mouse click in the “Quick Access Toolbar” will graphically display the most recently used files with previews in a ribbon. Users can select the file to be opened by releasing the mouse button. The file preview ribbon can be displayed vertically or horizontally based on user preferences.
Physical Thread Clearance for 3D-Printed Parts
Many problems can occur when 3D-printed parts with physical threads are used, resulting in unsuitable designs and subsequent prints. Threads with insufficient clearance are frequently unable to be assembled as intended after printed.
Two new options have been introduced to the “Thread” command to assist users in defining physical thread clearance when creating 3D printed items. Users can now specify extra clearance values as a percentage or as an absolute value using these new choices. The internal diameter of the thread will be raised, while the exterior diameter will be reduced by the percentage or absolute value of the nominal diameter. Clearance levels differ depending on the material, technique, and 3D printer.
