Solid Edge

Solid Edge
Lerbach · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Solid Edge
Developer	Siemens Digital Industries Software
Released	1996
Programming language	C++, C#
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Genre	Computer-aided design
License	Proprietary commercial software

Solid Edge

Solid Edge is a parametric 3D computer-aided design system for mechanical design, simulation, and manufacturing. Developed as a professional engineering tool, it supports product development workflows used by companies such as Siemens, Boeing, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Rolls-Royce Holdings. It competes with systems like Autodesk Inventor, PTC Creo, Dassault Systèmes, CATIA, and NX in sectors including Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial design, and Medical device manufacturing.

Overview

Solid Edge provides tools for part modeling, assembly modeling, drafting, sheet metal, weldments, and synchronous technology. It integrates with product lifecycle management systems from Siemens PLM Software and interoperates with data from vendors such as Autodesk, PTC, Dassault Systèmes, Bentley Systems, and Hexagon AB. Enterprises use Solid Edge alongside systems from SAP, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM to connect design, procurement, and manufacturing operations.

History and Development

Solid Edge was introduced by Intergraph in partnership with Shenkar College-era teams and later acquired and developed by UGS Corporation before becoming part of Siemens Digital Industries Software. Key milestones include adoption of synchronous technology influenced by research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, algorithmic contributions from groups linked to Carnegie Mellon University, and commercial expansion through OEM relationships with firms like Hewlett-Packard and Dell Technologies. Strategic events include industry exhibitions such as Hannover Messe, IMTS, and Formnext where Solid Edge demonstrations have been showcased.

Features and Functionality

Solid Edge offers parametric modeling, direct modeling, and a hybrid approach known as synchronous modeling. It includes tools for finite element analysis with partners such as ANSYS, motion simulation influenced by studies at Stanford University, and computational fluid dynamics from collaborations with Siemens PLM Software teams. Drafting and detailing comply with standards from organizations like ISO and ASME, while manufacturing features integrate CAM systems produced by Mastercam, Siemens NX CAM, and BobCAD-CAM. Collaboration features connect to cloud platforms supported by Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

File Formats and Interoperability

Solid Edge supports native file formats and translators for neutral formats such as STEP, IGES, and Parasolid. It provides interoperability with CAD formats from Autodesk AutoCAD, PTC Creo, Dassault Systèmes CATIA, and Bentley MicroStation. Data management and exchange workflows use protocols and standards championed by ISO, IEEE, and industry consortia like OPC Foundation and Digital Twin Consortium to enable integration with enterprise systems from Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, and Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA.

Versions and Licensing

Solid Edge has been released in incremental versions tied to annual and mid-cycle updates, with licensing options including perpetual licenses, subscription models, and cloud-based access. Commercial editions compete with licensing models from Autodesk, PTC, and Dassault Systèmes, while academic and startup programs align with initiatives from Linux Foundation-style foundations and university research consortia. Deployment and maintenance involve partnerships with value-added resellers such as Rand 3D, TriMech, and global systems integrators like Accenture and Capgemini.

Industry Usage and Applications

Solid Edge is applied in sectors such as Aerospace industry, Automotive industry, Renewable energy, Oil industry, Medical devices, and Consumer electronics. Notable use cases include airframe component design for firms like Airbus, turbine component development for Siemens Energy, tooling design for Cummins, and product prototyping for startups incubated by Y Combinator. Manufacturing workflows incorporate additive manufacturing partnerships with 3D Systems and Stratasys and metrology integrations with Zeiss and FARO Technologies.

Integration and Ecosystem

The Solid Edge ecosystem includes integrations with PLM systems such as Siemens Teamcenter, collaboration platforms like Slack and Atlassian Jira, and ERP suppliers such as SAP SE and Oracle NetSuite. Third-party developers build extensions through APIs and SDKs similar to offerings from Autodesk Forge and PTC Creo Elements/Direct, while training and certification are provided by organizations like ASME-linked training centers and educational partners including MIT Professional Education and Georgia Institute of Technology. Industry networks and events that foster the ecosystem include SME (organization), Autodesk University, and Siemens Solid Edge University.

Category:Computer-aided design software