There isn't really a single best CAD tool that's suitable for all industrial startups.
The choice of CAD software will depend on each company’s specific needs in terms of functionality, budget, and team expertise.
However, here are some solutions regularly chosen by industrial startups:
- SOLIDWORKS : It is very popular in the mechanical design and manufacturing industry, offering 3D modeling, simulation, and manufacturing tools. In its new 3DEXPERIENCE version, there is a 3-year support program specifically designed for startups. You can test your 3DEXPERIENCE Startup Program Eligibility
At Ohmycad, SOLIDWORKS is, of course, our favorite solution 🙂
- Autodesk Inventor : It is similar to SOLIDWORKS, but it is often used for industrial and mechanical design projects.
- CATIA : It is used for designing «complex» products in the aerospace, automotive, and defense industries, for example. The difference between CATIA and SOLIDWORKS lies mainly in the type of projects and the number of people involved in a project.
- Onshape : It is a cloud-based CAD solution that enables real-time collaboration and efficient project management.
- Fusion 360: It is a comprehensive CAD solution that includes 3D modeling, simulation, manufacturing, collaboration, and visualization. Along with Inventor, it is a solution developed by Autodesk.
It is important to note that there are many other CAD tools available on the market, so it is recommended that industrial startups do their research to choose the tool that best suits their needs.
It is also necessary to take the team's skills into account to ensure that they are able to use the chosen tool effectively.
SOLIDWORKS is a software program that is widely used in the national education system, so you'll have no trouble finding interns as well as experienced technicians and engineers who are familiar with SOLIDWORKS. This is a real advantage when you're a Industrial Startup Who needs to grow their teams quickly.
It's worth noting that there is a very active community dedicated to supporting industrial startups. Feel free to contact them for advice: Industrial Startups Collective.