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In today’s engineering world, how do you balance technical expertise with effective communication and collaboration? What’s the most important soft skill you’ve developed to succeed in team-driven projects?
The landscape of engineering and manufacturing is rapidly evolving, driven by groundbreaking technologies like SolidWorks and AI-powered predictive maintenance. In this issue, we’ll dive into an exclusive conversation with Manish Kumar, CEO of SolidWorks, on how their software has transformed design over the last 30 years. We'll also spotlight how AI is revolutionizing manufacturing by predicting and preventing costly equipment failures before they happen. Lastly, we'll explore the power of communication and collaboration in today's engineering teams. Keep reading to learn how these trends are shaping the future of engineering—and how you can stay ahead of the curve.
This edition of our newsletter will take you through three pivotal topics for modern engineers: an inside look at SolidWorks’ 30-year evolution with CEO Manish Kumar, how predictive AI is enhancing manufacturing efficiency and safety, and why effective communication and collaboration are essential for success in today’s fast-paced engineering environments. Let’s explore the ideas driving progress together.
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The Unsung Engineering Hero
The Evolution of Solidworks
Manish Kumar, CEO of Solidworks reflects on the evolution of SolidWorks and introduces the concept of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. His insights shed light on how modern software is reshaping the engineering landscape, offering a glimpse into the future of product development.
Key Takeaways:
The Early Days of SolidWorks
SolidWorks 95, launched 30 years ago, revolutionized CAD by making it accessible to every engineer’s desktop. However, using the software today compared to its early days reveals how far the technology has evolved. What was once groundbreaking is now seen as a stepping stone to even more advanced tools.
Continuous Software Evolution
The software that once changed the world of engineering continues to evolve. As Manish’s experiment with SolidWorks 95 shows, the technology is a far cry from today’s ease of use and efficiency. The lesson: software evolution is crucial for progress.
Introducing the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform goes beyond traditional CAD tools, focusing on delivering complete product experiences. It integrates design, simulation, manufacturing, and customer interaction into one seamless platform. It’s designed to help engineers not only create functional products but also ensure they are user-friendly, manufacturable, and deliver lasting value.
Streamlining Processes and Reducing Waste
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform connects people, data, and processes in real-time, ensuring that every team works on the latest version of a model. This integration reduces the risk of costly errors and inefficiencies, ultimately helping companies improve profitability and deliver high-quality products faster.
Actionable Insights for Engineers:
Embrace the ongoing evolution of engineering software to stay ahead of the curve.
Consider using platforms like 3DEXPERIENCE to streamline your workflow and connect various teams within your organization.
Shift your focus from just creating functional products to designing complete user experiences that offer long-term value.
Leverage simulation to test and refine designs without the need for costly physical prototypes.
The takeaway? As engineering tools evolve, staying adaptable and integrating new platforms can help engineers not only design more efficiently but also deliver products that resonate emotionally with users.
The Startup Spotlight
Augury: Revolutionizing Manufacturing with Predicative Maintenance
Augury, a startup founded in 2011, is transforming the manufacturing industry with AI-driven predictive maintenance solutions. By integrating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and advanced machine learning, Augury provides real-time diagnostics that predict machine failures before they occur. This proactive approach helps manufacturers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and optimize production efficiency.
Through partnerships with industry giants like Bently Nevada and DuPont, Augury has proven its value in sectors ranging from energy to chemicals, driving innovation and enhancing operational reliability. Under the leadership of CEO Saar Yoskovitz, the company has expanded globally and is poised to continue shaping the future of manufacturing.
With Augury’s platform, manufacturers can move from reactive maintenance strategies to predictive and prescriptive approaches, ensuring smoother and more efficient operations in the long term. As AI and IoT become more integral to industrial processes, Augury is leading the charge in revolutionizing machine health management.
Soft Skills for Engineers
What Research Tells Us Is The Most Important Quality of Engineers
James Trevelyan , author of The Making of an Expert Engineer, shares powerful insights on the importance of soft skills in engineering, especially communication and collaboration, and how they impact success in the field.
Key Takeaways:
Collaboration Is Critical
Engineering success relies on collaboration, not just technical skills. Academic environments often foster anti-collaborative behaviors, making it vital for young engineers to unlearn these habits in professional settings.
Listening as a Core Skill
Engineers spend 25% of their time listening, yet listening skills are rarely taught in universities. Building this skill enhances collaboration and unlocks valuable insights during informal conversations.
Cultural Awareness and Adaptability
Working across cultures, like in Pakistan and Australia, highlights how local norms and collaboration styles influence engineering outcomes. Adapting to these differences is crucial for creating value.
Communication vs. Collaboration
Communication is the foundation of collaboration, but collaboration goes further—requiring trust, shared goals, and active listening. Poor collaboration often leads to costly project failures.
Simple Experiments Drive Progress
Don’t overlook the power of simple tests to validate ideas. Hands-on experiments can resolve doubts and accelerate learning, helping engineers better understand the “why” behind the results.
Actionable Tips for Engineers:
Practice active listening and take notes during conversations to capture critical information.
Prioritize face-to-face interactions and phone calls over emails to foster stronger connections.
Conduct simple experiments to validate assumptions and improve problem-solving.
Seek out opportunities for collaboration training to enhance your professional skills.
The takeaway? Soft skills like collaboration and communication aren’t just “nice to have” in engineering—they’re essential for driving innovation, solving complex problems, and delivering value.
Ready to develop your soft skills? Start by focusing on listening, embracing collaboration, and experimenting with small steps toward improvement.
Closing Thoughts
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Engineering is about solving, innovating, and connecting ideas to make a difference. Progress is a collective effort and your curiosity is what drives it forward. Thank you for exploring the dynamic world of engineering with all of us at Pipeline Design & Engineering and The Wave.
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“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” - Steve Jobs
Stay inspired, stay curious,
Brad Hirayama
Blueprinting tomorrow, today