In the world of product development, speed, accuracy, and collaboration determine who leads… and who lags behind. As product designs grow more complex and teams become more distributed, having the latest capabilities in your PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system can make all the difference.
That’s why knowing what’s new in Windchill is so important. Each new release of PTC Windchill delivers powerful enhancements that simplify data management, improve user experience, and strengthen the digital thread that connects design, manufacturing, and service. In this post, we’ll break down what’s new in Windchill 13, highlight its most impactful features, and explain how these updates help organizations stay agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
What’s new in the latest version of Windchill?
The latest Windchill 13 release marks a significant leap forward for PTC’s industry-leading PLM platform. With new UI improvements, enhanced scalability, and advanced integration capabilities, Windchill 13 helps teams work smarter, not harder. Here’s a closer look at some of the top new features and enhancements:
1. Modernized User Experience
PTC has reimagined Windchill’s interface to be cleaner, more intuitive, and easier to navigate. The improved layout streamlines everyday tasks like document management, configuration, and workflow tracking, reducing clicks and improving user adoption.
The redesigned Windchill Navigate apps also provide simplified, role-based access to product data, ensuring that everyone – from engineers to service teams – can find the information they need quickly.
2. Performance and Scalability Enhancements
Windchill 13 introduces key architectural updates that boost system performance and scalability. Large assembly handling, concurrent user support, and faster search capabilities allow global teams to collaborate in real time without lag or data delays.
This makes the platform more reliable for enterprise-scale deployments, particularly for companies managing thousands of parts or operating across multiple sites.
3. Strengthened Change Management and Digital Thread Integration
Improved change management workflows make it easier to document, approve, and execute design and process changes within a single ecosystem. The new release enhances cross-functional visibility, so stakeholders can assess the downstream impact of changes across CAD models, BOMs, and documentation.
Windchill 13 also continues PTC’s push toward a connected digital thread, unifying data from design through manufacturing and service.
4. Expanded Openness and Integration Options
This flexibility helps teams extend the value of their product data beyond engineering, enabling smarter, connected operations across the entire product lifecycle.
5. Security and Compliance Improvements
As data security and regulatory compliance become increasingly critical, Windchill 13 introduces stronger encryption, access control, and audit-trail capabilities. These updates help organizations meet industry standards and safeguard sensitive product information while maintaining traceability from design through disposal.
How These New Features Benefit Your Organization
Understanding what’s new in PTC Windchill is just the first step. Knowing how these enhancements translate to business results is where the real value lies.
By upgrading to Windchill 13, organizations can:
- Accelerate product development with a faster, more responsive interface and workflow automation.
- Reduce data silos by connecting PLM to IoT, AR, and other enterprise systems.
- Enhance collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and service teams using unified, real-time data.
- Lower operational costs by improving scalability and reducing system maintenance.
- Stay compliant and secure through better governance, version control, and audit capabilities.
Simply put, the latest Windchill release helps teams work more efficiently, make better decisions faster, and stay ahead in a competitive, connected world.
What to Consider Before Upgrading Windchill
While the benefits of Windchill 13 are compelling, upgrading should be a strategic decision, not a rushed one. Before moving forward, evaluate your readiness and long-term goals.
Consider the following:
- System Readiness: Verify hardware and architecture compatibility to ensure a smooth deployment.
- Process Alignment: Review your existing workflows and confirm they align with new Windchill functionality.
- Data Quality: Take the opportunity to clean and standardize your product data before migration.
- User Training: Make sure your teams are prepared for the updated interface and processes.
- Integration Dependencies: Confirm that CAD, ERP, and other connected systems are compatible with the new version.
By planning ahead, you’ll maximize your ROI and avoid common pitfalls that can slow or complicate upgrades.
Tips for a Smooth Upgrade and Adoption
A successful upgrade is about more than installing software. It’s about adoption, optimization, and continuous improvement.
Here are a few practical tips for success:
- Start with an Assessment. Evaluate your current environment and identify upgrade prerequisites.
- Pilot Before Rolling Out. Test new features with a small user group to identify issues early.
- Clean Your Data. Ensure your product information is structured and accurate to prevent migration issues.
- Communicate Early and Often. Keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the process.
- Provide Role-Based Training. Tailor learning materials for different user groups to increase adoption.
Understanding what’s new in Windchill is just one part of the equation. Adopting it effectively is where you’ll realize the most value.
Why Partner with EAC for Your Windchill Upgrade
EAC Product Development Solutions has helped hundreds of companies upgrade, migrate, and optimize their Windchill environments. Our team can guide you through every step. From assessing readiness and planning upgrades to configuring workflows and training users. Whether you’re moving from an older Windchill version or integrating with Creo, ThingWorx, or other systems, EAC ensures your transition is smooth, secure, and value-driven.
Learn more about our Windchill Upgrade and Implementation Services today!
Stay Ahead with the Latest in Windchill
The newest Windchill release reinforces PTC’s commitment to helping manufacturers achieve faster innovation, stronger collaboration, and better product lifecycle visibility. If your team relies on Windchill for design, manufacturing, or service collaboration, now is the time to explore the benefits of upgrading. The latest version isn’t just an update. It’s a platform for the future of connected, data-driven product development.
Ready to see what’s new in Windchill for yourself? Contact EAC to schedule a consultation and discover how the newest Windchill features can transform your PLM strategy.
In today’s rapidly evolving design and manufacturing landscape, additive manufacturing (AM) has become a transformative force. Commonly known as 3D printing, this technology is revolutionizing how products are developed, customized, and brought to market. But what many overlook is the critical role computer-aided design (CAD) plays in unleashing the full potential of additive manufacturing. CAD and 3D printing go hand-in-hand—and understanding how they work together is essential for any modern engineering or manufacturing team.
What Is Additive Manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing is a process of creating three-dimensional objects by building them layer by layer from a digital model. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing, which cuts away material from a solid block, AM adds only what is needed. This approach enables designs that are impossible or impractical to produce using conventional methods.
Advantages of additive manufacturing include:
- Design freedom: Create complex geometries and internal structures.
- Material efficiency: Minimal waste compared to machining.
- Rapid prototyping: Test and refine designs quickly.
- Customization: Easily tailor products to individual specifications.
Industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer products have adopted AM for everything from tooling to production parts, showing its versatility and broad application.
The Role of CAD in Additive Manufacturing
Every 3D printed part starts with a digital design—and that’s where CAD software becomes indispensable. CAD tools allow engineers and designers to create precise models, define tolerances, simulate behavior, and prepare files for printing. When it comes to 3D printing, not all CAD platforms are created equal. Software like PTC Creo offers features specifically designed for additive workflows, including:
- Print-aware modeling tools
- Automatic support structure generation
- Seamless export to STL or AMF formats
Designing for additive manufacturing (DfAM) requires different considerations than traditional manufacturing. Engineers must account for build orientation, layer bonding, and material constraints. CAD platforms that integrate DfAM best practices help ensure parts are not only functional but also optimized for printability.
Benefits of Integrating CAD and Additive Manufacturing Early
Integrating CAD and additive manufacturing (AM) early in the product development process can streamline design, reduce errors, and significantly shorten time to market. By aligning digital design with 3D printing constraints from the start, teams can eliminate costly rework and ensure print-ready geometry. This proactive approach also fosters better cross-functional collaboration and optimizes part performance by leveraging AM-specific features like lattice structures and internal channels:
- Faster iterations: Designers can test, tweak, and reprint quickly, reducing development cycles.
- Lightweighting: CAD tools enable internal lattice structures and topology optimization, helping reduce weight without compromising strength.
- Design validation: Simulation tools can validate part performance before printing, saving time and material costs.
When CAD and AM tools work in harmony, teams can experiment with new ideas more freely, minimize errors, and speed up time-to-market.
Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them
While the benefits of CAD-driven additive manufacturing are compelling, there are several common challenges teams must address to realize its full potential. These include geometry errors, file compatibility issues, and lack of design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) expertise. Fortunately, many of these pitfalls can be avoided with early planning, the right software tools, and close collaboration between designers, engineers, and manufacturing teams throughout the process.
Common pitfalls include:
- Poor file conversion: Not all CAD exports result in watertight, print-ready models.
- Printability issues: Designs that ignore AM constraints can lead to warping, sagging, or failed prints.
- Lack of collaboration: If designers and production teams aren’t aligned, costly mistakes can occur.
To avoid these issues:
- Use CAD platforms with native additive features
- Validate designs with simulation and print previews
- Communicate early with manufacturing teams to align expectations
Real-World Use Cases: CAD and 3D Printing in Action
The combined power of CAD and 3D printing is being used across industries to create lighter, stronger, and more complex parts than ever before. From aerospace brackets and medical implants to rapid tooling and custom fixtures, additive manufacturing is unlocking innovation that traditional methods can’t match. These real-world applications demonstrate how early CAD integration directly leads to faster prototyping, reduced waste, and entirely new design possibilities.
Organizations across industries are already reaping the rewards of integrated CAD and AM workflows:
- Product development teams use rapid prototyping to test form, fit, and function early in the design cycle.
- Manufacturers create jigs, fixtures, and tooling with customized 3D prints, speeding up production.
- Medical designers build patient-specific anatomical models for surgical planning and device development.
By streamlining the design-to-production process, companies can reduce costs, improve product quality, and stay ahead of competitors.
Future Trends in CAD and Additive Manufacturing
As both CAD software and additive manufacturing technology evolve, the integration between the two will become more seamless and intelligent. Innovations like AI-driven design, real-time simulation, and cloud-based collaboration are shaping the next era of digital product development. Understanding these trends today helps companies future-proof their processes and stay ahead in a competitive and rapidly changing manufacturing landscape.
Key trends include:
- AI-driven generative design: Automating the creation of optimized geometries for strength and material efficiency.
- Multi-material and metal 3D printing: Expanding capabilities for functional parts across more industries.
- Greater automation: Direct integration between CAD platforms and printers, reducing manual intervention.
Additionally, digital thread and PLM (product lifecycle management) integration will ensure seamless data flow from concept to production and beyond.
Final Thoughts: Getting the Most from CAD and 3D Printing
As additive manufacturing becomes a staple in modern product development, the importance of choosing the right CAD tools cannot be overstated. Teams that embrace CAD platforms designed for additive workflows gain a competitive edge through faster iterations, better products, and reduced waste.
Looking to leverage the full potential of 3D printing? EAC can help. From advanced CAD tools like Creo to expert guidance and integration support, we provide everything you need to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
Explore how 3D printing is evolving in our blog, How Does Additive Manufacturing Move Beyond Prototyping to Provide Production-Ready Solutions?
In engineering, precision and clarity aren’t optional—they’re mission-critical. That’s why professionals around the world trust PTC Mathcad to document, solve, and share complex calculations using natural math notation. But as product design becomes more complex and workflows more integrated, staying current with the latest tools is essential.
If you’re wondering what the latest in Mathcad has to offer, this blog explores the most important updates, features, and reasons engineers are making the move to Mathcad Prime 11.
What is Mathcad and Why It Matters
Whether you’re designing aerospace systems or developing next-gen electronics, Mathcad simplifies the documentation of your work—and helps make it reusable, auditable, and easy to understand.
The latest version, Mathcad Prime 11, builds on this foundation with new features designed to enhance speed, flexibility, and documentation power.
What’s New in the Latest Mathcad Version
Mathcad Prime 11: Feature Highlights
With every new release, PTC raises the bar on what engineering teams can expect from their calculation environment. Here are some of the standout features of Mathcad Prime 11, the latest Mathcad version:
- Enhanced Chart Component Functionality
Charts now support additional formatting options, improved scaling, and customization, allowing engineers to better visualize data trends and present results more clearly in reports. - Expanded Scripting Capabilities
Mathcad Prime 11 supports Python 3.13, in addition to VBScript and JScript, offering more flexibility for teams who rely on automation and scripting for complex workflows. - Improved Symbolics Engine
The latest Mathcad update improves symbolic computation accuracy and consistency, enabling users to solve algebraic expressions, derivatives, and integrals with greater confidence. - Interactive Math Enhancements
Working with live mathematical expressions is now faster and smoother, improving usability across units handling, function definitions, and equation editing. - Documentation Tools Upgraded
Users now have more options to lock regions, organize with collapsible areas, and protect intellectual property within worksheets—ideal for teams working across departments or managing sensitive data.
All of these features contribute to a better user experience and allow engineering teams to do more with fewer errors, and in less time.
How These Updates Help Engineering Teams
Mathcad is more than a math tool—it’s a platform that empowers engineering decision-making. The updates in Mathcad Prime 11 reflect real-world use cases:
- Teams benefit from greater consistency in documentation, thanks to improved formatting, collapsible regions, and region locking.
- The expanded Python support enables better integration with modern data workflows and automation scripts.
- Improved performance when working with units, matrices, and symbolic math means engineers spend less time formatting and more time solving.
The latest Mathcad version gives engineers the flexibility to streamline repetitive tasks, ensure compliance, and enhance communication across functions.
Comparing Versions: Should You Upgrade?
If you’re currently using Mathcad Prime 7, 8, 9, or 10, or are still holding onto legacy versions like Mathcad 15, you may be wondering whether it’s worth upgrading.
Here’s a snapshot of key improvements in Mathcad Prime 11 compared to older versions:
- Modern Interface & Experience: Legacy users will notice a cleaner UI, more responsive workspace, and better file management.
- Improved Charting and Plotting: Data visualization is far more powerful and professional.
- Scripting with Python: Not available in older versions, this gives Prime 11 a clear edge for power users.
- Ongoing Enhancements: Only the latest version receives security updates, bug fixes, and platform compatibility support.
If you rely on Mathcad as a core part of your engineering or product development workflow, upgrading to the latest Mathcad version ensures you’re not missing out on productivity tools or performance improvements.
How EAC Helps You Get the Most from Mathcad
As a leading PTC partner, EAC Product Development Solutions not only helps organizations license Mathcad—they help them implement it strategically.
By working with EAC, you gain:
- Tailored onboarding for engineers and teams
- Training and mentoring to help you unlock the full potential of new features
- Implementation and integration support, especially when connecting Mathcad with PLM or CAD systems
- Access to ongoing customer support and technical resources
Whether you’re rolling Mathcad out for the first time or planning an upgrade, EAC provides the expert guidance needed to ensure adoption and long-term value.
Next Steps with Matchcad
The Mathcad update in Prime 11 isn’t just incremental—it’s strategic. With deeper customization, expanded scripting, and smarter documentation tools, the latest version is designed to keep up with the complexity of today’s engineering demands.
If you’re still using an older version, it may be time to experience what’s new. From enhanced productivity to better collaboration, Mathcad Prime 11 offers tools that help engineering teams document and deliver with confidence.
Ready to take the next step? EAC Product Development Solutions is here to help you make the most of Mathcad—no matter where you are in your journey. Looking to learn more? Check out our webinar, Introducing Mathcad: Smarter Calculations, Better Collaboration.
In today’s competitive landscape, the drive toward sustainability has never been more crucial. Industries worldwide are actively pursuing innovative solutions to minimize their environmental impact, striving for sustainability, and ultimately achieving more efficient processes. Traditional manufacturing processes have historically caused issues connected to high fossil fuel consumption, energy usage, waste generation, and pollution, leaving industries searching for environmentally friendly production methods.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is transforming this landscape by introducing a wave of sustainability benefits that significantly lessen the environmental impact while not compromising on quality and innovation.
Here’s how additive manufacturing is increasing sustainability:
Reduced Material Waste
In numerous industries, Additive Manufacturing has made substantial strides in reducing material waste in final parts by as much as 80%. Unlike traditional subtractive processes like machining and casting, which often result in significant material waste during production, Additive Manufacturing builds components layer by layer, utilizing only the necessary material for the part. This additive approach not only minimizes waste but also optimizes material usage, resulting in more efficient production and a reduced environmental impact.
Energy Efficiency
With manufacturing industries’ energy consumption making up 76% of the total usage, Additive Manufacturing shines as a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. By streamlining processes and minimizing the need for extensive machining and assembly, Additive Manufacturing lowers overall energy consumption during production.
Additionally, the ability to produce lightweight components through Additive Manufacturing offers significant benefits in sectors such as aerospace and automotive. Lightweight parts lead to improved fuel efficiency in vehicles and aircraft, as they require less energy to propel or lift off the ground. This reduction in weight not only lowers fuel consumption during operation but also contributes to lower emissions and overall environmental impact. By leveraging Additive Manufacturing to create lightweight components, industries can achieve substantial energy savings and contribute to a more sustainable future.
On-Demand Production
Additive Manufacturing revolutionizes the traditional production model by enabling on-demand manufacturing, leading to remarkable benefits for sustainability. This innovative approach significantly reduces the requirement for large inventories and the associated storage costs. By producing items only as needed, Additive Manufacturing eliminates wasted resources and minimizes the environmental impact of excess production.
Localized Production
Additive Manufacturing enables localized production, offering a key strategy to reduce the environmental impact of extensive global supply chains. By manufacturing parts closer to the point of use, companies can significantly lower transportation emissions and support local economies. This shift towards decentralized manufacturing not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping but also enhances supply chain resilience. By fostering local production, businesses can mitigate environmental and economic risks linked to global disruptions, while promoting sustainability and supporting community growth.
Extended Product Life Cycle
Additive manufacturing facilitates the repair and maintenance of existing products, extending their life cycle. For instance, it can be used to produce spare parts or to repair damaged components, reducing the need to manufacture entirely new products. This capability is particularly valuable in sectors like aerospace, where maintaining and repairing high-value equipment can significantly reduce waste and resource consumption.
Innovative Design
The design freedom offered by Additive Manufacturing allows engineers to create more efficient and sustainable products. Complex geometries that optimize material usage and improve performance can be easily achieved with Additive Manufacturing. For example, lightweight lattice structures and internal cooling channels can be integrated into designs to enhance functionality and reduce material usage. This level of design innovation can lead to products that are not only better performing but also more environmentally friendly.
Materials Selection
The evolution of sustainable materials for Additive Manufacturing is progressing at a rapid pace, with researchers and companies exploring the use of recycled and bio-based materials in 3D printing. These eco-friendly materials not only decrease reliance on finite resources but also play a pivotal role in nurturing the circular economy. Through the utilization of sustainable materials, Additive Manufacturing fosters the recycling and reuse of resources, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to production.
A Greener Future
Additive manufacturing can enhance companies’ sustainability initiatives by reducing material waste, enhancing energy efficiency, enabling on-demand and localized production, fostering innovative design, and more. It offers a pathway to more sustainable production in a variety of industries. As the technology continues to evolve, its potential to contribute to environmental sustainability will only grow, making it a key player in the green industrial revolution.
At EAC Additive, we are committed to helping companies implement additive manufacturing technology, enabling them to achieve environmentally friendly solutions that not only conserve money, resources, and time but also contribute to a sustainable future for all.
