Engineering – what started as something that began on the drawing table with pencil, ruler, eraser and calculator, has developed into something that can be implemented from anywhere you are in the world with only a tablet and an Internet connection. Cloud-based engineering – reality or the future?

In this article I will explain how we experience working with cloud-based engineering.

The past year, Post en Dekker has launched a ‘project e-Kart’ with the intention to convert a traditional petrol kart into an electric kart. For this internal project we have frequently used OnShape, a practical cloud-based engineer tool. However, we have now switched to Autodesk 360. Below, I will explain the reason of this switch.

The convenience of working in the Cloud

Many team members used to work on the e-Kart project from home, but didn’t always have at their disposal a computer equipped with the right specifications and desired CAD software (let alone the most recent version of CAD models).

Cloud tool OnShape offers more convenience when it comes to working ‘in the cloud’. Projects can be set up with team members, in which every team member has the authority to modify the CAD. Another advantage is that software platforms can be integrated into OnShape. One example is ‘OneRender’, a rendering programme that can be easily added to the OnShape account. Simulation programmes such as SimScale can then be easily applied to one’s own CAD files.

Also, the convenience of working in the cloud from one system that is linked with all necessary other software. On top of that, there is no more fuss with USB flash drives, sending emails and finding out who has the most recent version.

The limitations of OnShape

A functionality we missed in OnShape, however, was the possibility to make drawings. You could ask yourself whether drawings are still relevant nowadays, but our suppliers still prefer to receive them, so we decided to switch to another tool: Autodesk 360, a new programme by Autodesk Inventor. One advantage of this programme is that although you still need to download another programme and install it on a computer, there is also the possibility to log on to a website and then see the 3D files. However, these cannot be modified. So in fact, Autodesk 360 is partly cloud-based.

Cloud or not?

Cloud-based engineering offers a great many advantages, but it is still in its early stages. Because of this there are no cloud-based software packages available yet which meet all requirements. Therefore we still have to compromise with on-premise and cloud. But because of the enormous potential of cloud-based engineering, I expect it will be the norm in the near future.

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