Manufacturing
& Additive
Connect 3D product design data to manufacturing workflows, including CAM, data preparation for CNC, and additive manufacturing, to create a continuous process from design to production.
Good design should move into manufacturing without rebuilding data from scratch
Digital manufacturing starts with engineering data that can be reused throughout the workflow, from product design and engineering documentation to CAM, CNC manufacturing, and additive manufacturing. This helps reduce duplicate data creation and close the gap between design and production teams.
What Is a Manufacturing Workflow?
A manufacturing workflow is the process of turning engineering design data into information that can be used to plan and manufacture physical parts.
When design and manufacturing data are connected, geometry changes and revisions can be passed to subsequent stages more systematically, reducing the risk of using different versions of files or data.
Design to Manufacturing
- 3D Product Design
- Manufacturing Geometry
- Engineering Documentation
- CAM Preparation
- CNC Manufacturing
- Additive Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Data
- Digital Workflow
From 3D Design to Manufacturing-Ready Data
Connecting data from the start helps engineering and manufacturing work with consistent product definition data throughout the process.
Product Design
Create part and assembly models with the correct design intent and engineering information.
Design Verification
Check geometry, assemblies, and details before releasing data to manufacturing.
Manufacturing Preparation
Prepare geometry and the information needed for subsequent manufacturing processes.
CAM Workflow
Pass geometry data to toolpath planning and machining processes.
Additive Manufacturing
Use digital model data in additive manufacturing workflows.
Production
Take prepared and verified data into physical production.
Connect Product Definition to Different Manufacturing Methods
Manufacturing Design
Prepare and adapt geometry data to suit the requirements of the manufacturing process.
CAM Preparation
Pass 3D models into toolpath planning and CNC programming.
CNC Manufacturing
Connect engineering geometry to machining workflows.
Additive Manufacturing
Use a digital model as the foundation for additive manufacturing.
Engineering Documentation
Provide drawings and engineering information to support production and inspection.
Digital Manufacturing
Reduce duplicate data creation with workflows that connect design and manufacturing.
From Digital Models to Shapes Beyond Conventional Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing allows engineering teams to consider alternatives to conventional manufacturing by building parts directly from digital model data.
This brings product design and manufacturing closer together, particularly for prototypes, complex geometry, and products that require multiple design iterations.
Connect Design to CAM and CNC Manufacturing
A 3D model created by the engineering team should continue beyond the design stage and be reusable in manufacturing planning.
When CAD and CAM use consistent geometry, they help reduce model recreation, repeated data conversion, and the risk of differences between the design and the data used by manufacturing.
CAD → CAM Workflow
- 3D CAD Model
- Manufacturing Geometry
- CAM Programming
- Toolpath Planning
- Process Verification
- CNC Production
- Inspection
Close the Gap Between Design and Production
A continuous digital workflow helps reduce steps caused by duplicate data creation and enables design changes to be passed to manufacturing more systematically.
Reduce Model Recreation
Use engineering model data as the foundation for the next stages of the workflow.
Reduce Data Translation
Reduce the steps needed to transfer and recreate geometry between systems and teams.
Reduce Revision Errors
Help reduce the risk of using models or documents from different revisions.
Respond Faster to Design Changes
Help update engineering data and pass it to manufacturing more quickly.
Support Multiple Manufacturing Processes
Prepare digital models for use in a range of manufacturing workflows.
Improve Digital Continuity
Keep product data connected from design through production.
Create a Digital Flow from Concept to Physical Part
The goal of digital manufacturing goes beyond using multiple software systems. It is to make engineering data transferable and continuously usable throughout the product lifecycle.
Manufacturing & Additive for the Manufacturing Industry
Machinery
Connect part and assembly data to machinery manufacturing processes.
Automotive
Pass engineering models into manufacturing and production workflows.
Aerospace
Support digital manufacturing workflows for complex parts and geometry.
Mold & Die
Connect product geometry to tooling, CAM, and machining.
Precision Manufacturing
Maintain engineering data continuity for high-precision parts.
Product Development
Connect design, prototyping, and production within a single digital workflow.
Connect Product Design to Manufacturing Workflows
Technologies in the Creo ecosystem can form part of digital product development, from 3D design, assemblies, and simulation to data preparation for manufacturing and a range of production processes.
Learn More About Creo Parametric →Design to Manufacturing
- 3D Product Design
- Assembly Design
- Engineering Analysis
- Manufacturing Design
- CAM Workflow
- Additive Manufacturing
- Digital Product Development
Engineering Design Technology
NEXCAD focuses on technologies that connect product design and engineering to manufacturing processes, creating digital engineering workflows from concept to production.
Digital Engineering Ecosystem
- Product Design
- Assembly & Mechanism
- Engineering Drawing
- Simulation & Analysis
- Manufacturing & Additive
- Digital Manufacturing
Connect Design and Manufacturing with a Digital Engineering Workflow
Close the gap between engineering and production with continuous data from 3D product design to CAM, CNC manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and digital production processes.
Learn More About Creo Parametric →