Sherlock/ SOLIDWORKS 3D Integration

As products containing electronics become more ubiquitous throughout everyday life (i.e. wearable electronics, self-driving cars, drones, etc.) they can significantly impact consumer safety. Ensuring that these products perform safely and reliably is critical, especially in products operating in extreme environments in industries like automotive and avionics.

With the new Sherlock/SOLIDWORKS 3D integrated software, mechanical and electronics designers and engineers can now quickly and easily predict the reliable lifetime of entire PCBAs (Printed Circuit Board Assemblies) under real world conditions, before a product is ever built. Users can now seamlessly import complex 3D objects into one tool and gain valuable insight into how mechanical structures, such as enclosures, batteries, thermal solutions, chassis, displays, and stiffeners influence and affect the robustness of electronics exposed to thermal and mechanical loads. This information is vital for simulating circuit card assemblies as close to reality as possible and improving overall product performance. This innovation saves time, reduces warranty costs, improves customer satisfaction, and ultimately impacts product safety.

Previously, design and engineering teams had to use several tools to accomplish what this new integrated tool can do easily and seamlessly. Now users of CAD/CAE tools like SOLIDWORKS®, Sherlock Automated Design Analysis™ or any other FEA tool, can easily build complex assemblies and complete complicated reliability physics-based analyses with just one, user-friendly tool.

Sherlock/SOLIDWORKS 3D is the only CAD to CAE solution on the market that provides reliability physics predictions of an entire PCBA. Reliability Physics is a science-based approach that uses knowledge of failure mechanisms to predict reliability and improve product performance. Powerful simulation tools are used at the product design phase to model possible causes of failure.

This tool is easily used by Sherlock and SOLIDWORKS customers alike who are involved in mechanical, electrical, or reliability engineering activities. It is compatible with all FEA engines allowing even non-FEA experts to easily build complex assemblies and complete complicated reliability analyses.

Available July 31, 2018, Sherlock/SOLIDWORKS 3D requires SOLIDWORKS 2018 and Sherlock 6.0. The SOLIDWORKS FEA package add-on is required.

Sherlock Automated Design Analysis™ software, by DfR Solutions, is the only Reliability Physics electronics design tool that analyzes and predicts product failure before it happens. DfR Solutions is world-renowned for its expertise in applying Reliability Physics Analysis to electronics technologies and is a leading provider of quality, reliability, and durability research and consulting to the electronics industry. To learn more go to www.dfrsolutions.com.

SOLIDWORKS®, a Dassault Systemes company, leads the global 3D computer-aided design (CAD) industry with easy-to-use 3D software that trains and supports the world’s engineering and design teams as they drive tomorrow’s product innovation.

For more information contact DfR Solutions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..