Configurator plus CAD: how it fits together
A complete configurator solution has three parts:
- Front end: a web or desktop interface where users pick options, with only valid combinations allowed.
- Rules engine: the product logic that validates choices and calculates dimensions, components and price.
- CAD automation: code that generates the 3D model, drawings, BOM and manufacturing files from the result.
Sales / customer → Configurator UI → Rules engine
↓
ERP ← BOM ← CAD automation → Drawings, DXF, STEPWho benefits most
- Configure-to-order (CTO) companies selling modular products with many option combinations.
- Engineer-to-order (ETO) companies whose products follow rules but vary by project, such as conveyors, cranes, HVAC units or furniture.
- Businesses where quote preparation and approval drawings delay sales.
Benefits
| Area | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Quote time | Days with engineering input | Minutes by sales |
| Approval drawings | Manual drafting per enquiry | Generated automatically |
| Order errors | Invalid combinations reach production | Only valid configurations possible |
| Engineering load | Repetitive order engineering | Focus on special requests |
CAD platforms and technologies
Configurators commonly drive Inventor (iLogic and API, or cloud Design Automation through Autodesk Platform Services), SOLIDWORKS (API with configurations and design tables), Creo (TOOLKIT and family tables) or AutoCAD for 2D layouts. Web front ends can show 3D previews using APS Viewer or WebGL.
Implementation steps
- Define the product structure and all options.
- Write down rules, constraints and pricing logic.
- Build robust master models and drawing templates.
- Develop the rules engine and CAD automation.
- Build the UI and connect to CRM / ERP.
- Test with historical orders, then launch with one product line.
Start with the product line that generates the most quotes. That is where a configurator pays back fastest.
Build your configurator with ENGIMANDI
We develop complete configurator solutions: web front end, rules engine, CAD automation and ERP integration.