RDM
Design Engineering, Rapid Prototyping, and Product Development
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RDM's Recent Events

This is the page to learn all about the research, product development, and manufacturing updates from RDM Innovation, as well as the young history of RDM, which started in 2015.

How to Choose the Right CAD Program for Your Product Development

Which 3D CAD program is right for my application?

The history of Computer Aided Design begins in the 1960s with a program called Sketchpad. Since then, hundreds of CAD programs have been developed and engineers have been trained on their day’s “cutting edge, industry leading CAD software”. Today, for products (whether they’re medical product designs or consumer projects) to be developed effectively there is a distinct need to choose the proper design software. We’ve designed hundreds of products and experimented across the industry leading CAD software recommendations since 2009, and we want to help entrepreneurs and businesses improve their research and development product development prowess by sharing a couple of our product development company’s experiences and secrets when it comes to selecting the right CAD program available to download. This is specifically about 3D computer aided design softwares and choosing the right CAD program.

Step 1 (The only step besides installing): Understand your product design intentions and need for a Computer-Aided Design program

What do you need to do with your 3D CAD software?

If your organization is selling 3D design services, you must purchase the commercial versions of any design software. Typically there are free student versions available, but you can be banned or fined for using student or entrepreneurial licenses for commercial use.

If you have large teams that work on the same project and need access to the same files that can update in real-time, you must purchase CAD software that offers cloud services. Most of them do; for example, SolidWorks has PDM and AutoDesk has Fusion 360

If you are limited by computing capacity and just need to quickly iterate a conceptual design,

If you need your parts to have technical drawings and specifications (ie beyond the prototyping phase and moving into production), you should choose CAD software that allows for parametric modeling. This allows for one design change to cascade throughout the assembly without the need to manually adjust each part or feature. Now, parametric modeling is a skill that can’t be bought, but starting with the right platform like Pro-E (Creo) or our personal favorite Solidworks. For more information on parametric modeling tips and tricks, look at our helpful article here.

What is your budget?

One of the main driving factors in choosing the right CAD program is cost. As an engineering service Computer-Aided Design company, a significant portion of our annual operating budget is taken up by CAD software. For higher-end CAD programs like SolidWorks, which is the CAD software that RDM uses in-house, there are several tiers of increasing cost that also increases functionality. But you might not be in the same situation as we are!

If you are starting out in the early stages of product development and want to put some concepts into software to communicate your product idea to other organizations like investors or manufacturers, there are completely free software options available. Here are a few:

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About RDM

RDM Innovation is an engineering design and product development company that creates innovative prototypes and solutions for companies and individual inventors. Team RDM is comprised of mechanical, electrical, industrial, and manufacturing engineers.  RDM’s in-house machining capabilities allow the company to specialize in à-la-carte services that streamlining the confusing and lengthy R&D process, including Computer-aided Design, Prototyping, and Manufacturing. This unique approach positions RDM to manufacture successful products for a wide range of industries. From consumer goods to medical devices, RDM designs and builds products with our clients, instead of for them.  

RDM’s contract and additive manufacturing capabilities include: 

Engineering Design Services

  • Product Modeling and Computer Aided Design (SolidWorks) 

    • Mechanical Engineering

    • Electrical Engineering

    • Software Engineering

    • Tooling & Fixture Design

  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) & Product Testing 

  • GDT Technical Drawing 

Graphic Design Services

  • Dynamic Print Work 

  • Logo Concepts & Identity 

  • Responsive Websites 

  • Autodesk Maya 3D Rendering 

  • Trade Show Support 

  • Worldwide Packaging 

Rapid Prototyping and Production Services

  • 3D Printing 

    • SLA 

    • SLS 

    • FDM 

  • Integrated Circuit and PCB Prototyping 

  • Laser Engraving/Cutting/Etching 

  • Metal Fabrication 

    • 3-Axis CNC 

    • Bridgeport Mill 

  • Plastic Molding 

    • Silicone 

    • Thermoset 

    • Rubber Over-molding 

  • Order Fulfillment 

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