How to Prepare SolidWorks Files for Manufacturing

7 min read

Written by Guntis Endziņš — Mechanical Engineer & Founder, Guenzo Engineering

A SolidWorks file that is "finished" on screen is not always ready for a supplier. Manufacturers need clean geometry, correct units, real materials, neutral exports and drawings that match the model. This guide is the checklist we run before any release.

1. Clean up the part files

• Resolve every red and yellow feature in the tree. Suppliers should not receive unresolved sketches.
• Set the correct material on every part — it affects mass, quoting and welding decisions.
• Add a part number, description and revision in file properties so they flow into the BOM and title block.
• For sheet metal, confirm the K-factor matches your supplier's press brake.

2. Lock down assemblies

• Fix the first component to the origin. Floating assemblies cause drawing errors.
• Resolve every component before release — lightweight or suppressed parts hide problems.
• Run interference detection with "include multibody parts" enabled.
• Use real fasteners from supplier libraries, not stand-in cylinders.

3. Drawings suppliers can quote from

A drawing answers three questions: how big is the part, how does it fit, how good does it have to be.

• Dimension only what the supplier must control.
• Use GD&T on functional surfaces; avoid tight title-block tolerances "just in case".
• Add a clear BOM with item number, part number, description, quantity, material.
• Include revision history so the supplier always quotes the latest version.

4. Sheet metal: prove the flat pattern

Export a DXF for every sheet metal part, open it, and verify:

• Bend lines are on a separate layer.
• No double lines on the outer profile (a common SolidWorks export bug).
• Unfolded outline matches the model within 0.1 mm.

5. Neutral exports

Most suppliers want STEP. Generate exports in a clean folder, named by part number:

• P-1001.SLDPRT (native)
• P-1001.STEP (neutral solid)
• P-1001.DXF (sheet metal only)
• P-1001.PDF (drawing)

6. Release pack and notes

Zip the package into native/ and release/ folders. Add a one-page release note: what changed, who approved it, open issues.

Common mistakes

• STEP without a drawing — tolerances cannot be quoted.
• Mixed units between model and drawing.
• Releasing "default" configuration when the design has variants.
• BOM that does not match the actual assembly.