Why Is ZW3D Favored by Auto Parts Suppliers

3D CAD software is essential to the vehicle manufacturing system, one of the largest industrial systems in the world. Such a huge demand poses a question for automobile manufacturers: How to balance the design efficiency and economy of 3D CAD software? Being a satisfying answer to it, ZW3D has gained popularity throughout the automotive supply chain in recent years, especially in the designing and manufacturing of auto parts. Since auto designers in the downstream spend a lot of time treating the models, they often face challenges like file compatibility, repairing damaged models, and modifying models unaccompanied by the modeling history. So, let’s take a look at how ZW3D can help you efficiently address these intractable problems in auto parts design.

Compatible with Mainstream CAD Formats

From importing models provided by the OEM or client to collaborating with different parties of the project, compatibility plays a significant role. ZW3D supports the import and export of mainstream 3D CAD formats. What’s worth mentioning is that ZW3D is compatible with the CATIA^® V4 and V5 files as well as 2D drawings. Given that CATIA^® is the most widely used 3D CAD software in the automotive industry, designers must understand and will be blown away by how much time such compatibility can save them.

Figure 1. ZW3D Format Compatibility

Rapidly Repair Damaged Models

When dealing with OEMs, suppliers can hardly get source models. Most of the time, they are either simple drawings or models of intermediate formats with damaged surfaces. In this situation, ZW3D’s unique solid-surface hybrid modeling and its professional healing module are particularly helpful. For example, auto part designers can turn the damaged surfaces into an intact solid in a very short time. As it’s illustrated, there is an open edge (highlighted in magenta) on the surface model of an engine block. After you select it and repair it with the Fill Gap function, it will become a solid for you to continue tweaking.

Figure 2. Rapid Repair of Damaged Models in ZW3D

Quickly Modify Models without Modeling History

Another plight when handling OEMs is that the models of auto parts usually do not come with the modeling history. Therefore, it is very difficult to modify them. Thanks to the Direct Edit feature of ZW3D, you can quickly modify model features by directly moving, patterning, and simplifying them, or adjusting fillets and radii, etc. As the figure below shows, it’s feasible to do a lot with the engine block model even without the modeling history, such as Simplify, Replace, and Mirror.

Figure 3. Direct Edit of ZW3D

Redefinable Recorded Modeling History

Besides, you can record the modeling history in ZW3D. Compared with creating 3D models without modeling history in 2D CAD software, its supporting redefinition of historical features allows you to design and modify auto models more freely.

Figure 4. Recording and Redefining the Modeling History in ZW3D

Of course, we’re just touching upon several of the many advantages of ZW3D today. Even so, you should have a firmer grasp on why ZW3D is favored by auto parts suppliers: it is highly compatible with plentiful formats; it is useful for working with models sourced from third parties… Feel free to download it for a free 30-day trial!