Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Assembly Design in CAD: Which Workflow Fits Your Project?
Compare top-down and bottom-up CAD assembly design workflows, including references, design intent, revisions, performance and manufacturing considerations.
Design Guide
Design Guide
CNC Milling DFM: 12 Practical CAD Checks Before You Send a Part to Machining
Use this CNC milling DFM checklist to reduce machining difficulty, unnecessary setups, tool-access problems and avoidable cost.
Design Guide
How to Size a Mechanical Shaft: Torque, Diameter and Design Checks
A practical introduction to mechanical shaft sizing: calculate torque from power and speed, estimate diameter, and check strength, stiffness and fatigue.
Design Guide
Sheet Metal Bend Radius and K-Factor: A Practical CAD Design Guide
Understand inside bend radius, K-factor, bend allowance and flat patterns so your sheet metal CAD model is easier to manufacture.
Design Guide
Mechanical Drawing Hole Callouts: How to Specify Holes Correctly in CAD
Learn how to specify drilled, tapped, counterbored and countersunk holes on mechanical drawings without confusing manufacturing or inspection.
Design Guide
Mechanical Design Review Checklist: 15 Checks Before Manufacturing
Use this practical mechanical design review checklist to catch load, CAD, tolerance, manufacturing, assembly, drawing and simulation problems before release.
Design Guide
Mechanical Drawing Dimensioning Guide: How to Dimension Parts Clearly
Learn practical mechanical drawing dimensioning rules for sizes, locations, datums, tolerances, holes, sections and manufacturing-friendly CAD drawings.
Design Guide
Mechanical Design for Manufacturing Checklist: 35 Checks Before Production
Use this 35-point mechanical design for manufacturing checklist before releasing CAD models and drawings for machining, sheet metal, molding and fabrication.
Design Guide
Gear Design Basics: Gear Ratio, Module, Tooth Geometry and CAD Modeling
A practical gear design guide covering gear ratio, module, pitch diameter, tooth count, center distance, torque, backlash and CAD modeling.
Design Guide
Bearing Selection and Shaft Fit Guide: Load, Speed, Tolerance and Installation
Learn how to select bearings and design shaft fits using load, speed, temperature, lubrication, clearance, tolerances and practical CAD considerations.