CAD Design Variant Generation Automation

When you need variant generation

• Launching a new product range in many sizes.
• Creating catalogue models for customers and distributors.
• Producing order-specific variants from a standard design.
• Exploring design options for cost or weight optimisation.

Start with a variant table

Each row is a variant; each column is a driving parameter or option.

Two approaches to storing variants

Configurations inside one file

SOLIDWORKS configurations, Inventor iParts / iAssemblies and Creo family tables store variants in one file. Good for standard catalogue parts with few differences.

Separate files per variant

Automation copies the master model, renames files, sets parameters and saves each variant independently. Better for order-specific variants, PDM lifecycles and large assemblies.

What the automation does for each variant

1. Copy master assembly and all changing parts with new names.
2. Update references so the new assembly points to new parts.
3. Apply parameters and rules; swap components based on options.
4. Rebuild and validate the model.
5. Fill properties (part number, description, material).
6. Create drawings, BOM and exports.
7. Check in to PDM with the correct state.

Smart reuse of unchanged parts

Not every part changes between variants. Good automation reuses existing parts when geometry is identical, avoiding thousands of duplicate part numbers. For example, a hinge used in all cabinet sizes remains one part.

The goal is not the maximum number of files. It is the minimum number of unique parts that covers the range.

Results

• Full product ranges created in days instead of months.
• Consistent naming, properties and drawings.
• Ready-made catalogue models for sales and customers.

Generate your variants automatically

ENGIMANDI builds variant generators for SolidWorks, Inventor and Creo, integrated with PDM.