1. SOLIDWORKS
  2. CircuitWorks for SOLIDWORKS
What is CircuitWorks?

What is CircuitWorks?

CircuitWorks is an add-in available in SOLIDWORKS Design software. CircuitWorks brings PCB design into the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem, enabling greater integration between ECAD and MCAD teams. A collaboration tool, CircuitWorks enables users to both import PCB layout information directly to their parametric SOLIDWORKS designs, and define assemblies within SOLIDWORKS that can then be sent to the PCB tool of your choice. This bidirectional design means CircuitWorks works the way you do without disrupting your current workflow.

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Key Benefits of CircuitWorks for SOLIDWORKS

Augmented Workflow

Augmented Workflow

CircuitWorks for SOLIDWORKS augments your existing ECAD-MCAD workflow. Whether your circuit board design process starts with electrical components, mechanical components, or both concurrently, CircuitWorks’ two-way editing functionality seamlessly integrates within your product development workstream. 

Not only does CircuitWorks allow you to import PCB design files directly into SOLIDWORKS, it also opens the door to the - suite of SOLIDWORKS offerings. Run thermal analysis and other simulations on your PCB, visualize your board directly within the CAD model of your product, and ultimately ensure improved accuracy in your product designs–all without the need for copious costly physical prototypes.

Improved Integration

Not only does CircuitWorks allow you to import PCB design files directly into SOLIDWORKS, but it also opens the door to the entire suite of SOLIDWORKS offerings. Run thermal analysis and other simulations on your PCB, preview your board directly within the CAD model of your product, and ultimately optimize your product designs for improved accuracy–all without the need for copious, costly physical prototypes.

Streamlined Collaboration

Streamlined Collaboration

CircuitWorks breaks down the barriers traditionally separating electrical and mechanical teams. Now, collaboration between the two teams occurs natively in the design file, thus streamlining the communication, revision, and collaboration processes between all stakeholders.

Two Paths to Production

The power of CircuitWorks comes from its process-agnostic implementation. No matter how your organization currently handles design collaboration between electrical and mechanical teams, CircuitWorks acts as a connector facilitating this collaboration process, ultimately saving time and improving communication. 

Let’s take a look at two possible paths to production and see how CircuitWorks can help you regardless of which path you take.

ECAD Driven

ECAD Driven
  1. Electrical Design: The electrical engineer first performs schematic capture in their ECAD/PCB design tool to define the circuit logic, then designs the PCB and sends the layout file to the mechanical team.
  2. Import to SOLIDWORKS: Through the CircuitWorks add-in for SOLIDWORKS, the mechanical engineer is then able to bring the PCB file directly into the SOLIDWORKS environment. CircuitWorks is able to take all common neutral file types, including IDF, IDX/ProStep EDMD, and PADS ASCII files.
  3. Mechanical Design: The mechanical engineer works on the physical design of the board and fits it into the overall product design, running necessary simulations and making edits to the board itself as needed which will then be passed back to the electrical team for their review.
  4. Design Iteration: Step 3 repeats until both teams are satisfied with the design and you’re left with your finished product.

MCAD Driven

MCAD Driven
  1. Mechanical Design: The mechanical engineer designs the physical PCB footprint, mounting holes, and keep-in/keep-outs in SOLIDWORKS, uses CircuitWorks to export it back to a neutral IDF/IDX/PADS ASCII file, and then sends that exported design to the electrical team.
  2. Electrical Design: The electrical engineer brings that electrical file into their preferred ECAD/PCB design tool and builds out the electrical system according to the physical design. 
  3. Design Iteration: The electrical engineer sends their revised design back to the mechanical team for review and implementation into the 3D CAD product model for testing and further edits. The teams are able to pass the design back and forth, tracking changes, until they reach the final version of the board and end product. 

As seen in the above workflows, changes are happening bidirectionally as both teams contribute conjointly to the edit and design process. CircuitWorks helps facilitate collaboration and design, ultimately accelerating project completion time and, in turn, time to market.

CircuitWorks for SOLIDWORKS - Capabilities

Let’s dive into the powerful communication and design tools united by CircuitWorks for SOLIDWORKS.

Bidirectional Edits and Revisions

CircuitWorks allows you to import and export PCB files with ease between SOLIDWORKS and your PCB/ECAD tool of choice. With the ability to import PCBs as SOLIDWORKS assemblies, you can ensure the PCB fits within the mechanical design. Then, if changes are required, CircuitWorks allows bidirectional edits and change tracking to ensure both electrical and mechanical teams are in sync and are able to review any changes made to their designs. CircuitWorks enables other design changes such as modification of boar

CircuitWorks allows you to import and export PCB files with ease between SOLIDWORKS and your PCB/ECAD tool of choice. With the ability to import PCBs as SOLIDWORKS assemblies, you can ensure the PCB fits within the mechanical design. Then, if changes are required, CircuitWorks allows bidirectional edits and change tracking to ensure both electrical and mechanical teams are in sync and are able to review any changes made to their designs. CircuitWorks enables other design changes such as the modification of board shape and hole locations, and the definition of keep-ins and keep-outs.

Copper Trace Support

Copper Trace Support

CircuitWorks now processes copper trace data pulled from ECAD/PCB tools into SOLIDWORKS, resulting in an accurate materials stackup in the printed circuit board. With the CircuitWorks add-in, you can access all mounting holes and copper geometry—including traces and vias—in SOLIDWORKS, while preserving the design rules and layout from the ECAD tool for correct spacing, connectivity, and layer compliance, enabling proper mass, thermal, structural, shock, and electromagnetic analyses.

SOLIDWORKS Integration

SOLIDWORKS Integration

CircuitWorks opens the door to the full portfolio of SOLIDWORKS offerings. For example, using SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, you can conduct thermal analysis to preempt heat build up around your PCB. With SOLIDWORKS Visualize, you can generate professional, photo-quality renderings of your PCB-equipped products. All of these integrations help you take your PCB design and ECAD/MCAD integration to the next level.

Secure and Robust Content Management

Secure and Robust Content Management

CircuitWorks streamlines your file sharing and storage by facilitating collaboration and file sharing. All edits, revisions, and markup of the PCB design pass through CircuitWorks which, through its connection to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform or SOLIDWORKS PDM, helps ensure that all of your content is centralized and securely stored. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dive Deeper

Below, you can find a collection of resources that dive deeper into some of the key capabilities and topics related to CircuitWorks.

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