If you are not using parametric and associative solid modeling to engineer dies, then you are not really playing at the same level in the same game as the rest of us.

An acquaintance of mine, Ray Proeber, is a huge solid modeling evangelist for die design.

Check out his company, Accurate Die Design. They are industry experts that provide 3D software, training, and support to the tool, die, and stamping industries.

Their software of choice? SolidWorks.

I personally feel SolidWorks has the best user experience in the game. Of course, they are owned by Dassault Systems – the same company that makes Catia.

In my opinion, there is Catia for high end modeling and surfacing, SolidWorks for everything else, and then nothing else.

Give Ray a call … you will be glad you did.

The software could be solid modeling, estimating, formability analysis, or even online ecommerce.

My top five for what matters is:

1. Ease of use.
2. Accurate results.
3. Live and local technical support.
4. Reliable performance.
5. Useful and necessary features.

My top five for what does NOT matter is:

1. Detailed explanations of how the code works that only a PhD would understand.
2. Focus on aspects that are not relevant, like transverse shear stress calculations.
3. Fancy and expensive marketing materials that drive up the cost of software.
4. Industry awards like “business of the month”. Who cares?
5. Pot shots at competitor software products.

Software companies need to make an effort to understand what matters to the die guy. And deliver.