DriveWorks World 2026 Recap

DriveWorks World 2026 recently wrapped, marking a huge milestone for the design automation community. This year’s event celebrated 25 years of DriveWorks and provided an inside look at what’s coming in the DriveWorks 24 release.

In this recap, we’re breaking down the technical highlights, the upcoming roadmap, and how companies are already putting these tools to work to eliminate engineering bottlenecks.

25 Years of Design Automation 

Since its inception, DriveWorks has transitioned from a localized SOLIDWORKS utility to a comprehensive platform for Design Automation and Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solutions. The 25th anniversary sessions focused on the core rules engine’s stability while highlighting the software’s expansion into web-based 3D visualization and enterprise-level integration. 

The philosophy behind DriveWorks remains the capture and reuse of engineering knowledge. By automating repetitive design tasks, organizations can maintain data integrity and significantly reduce the lead time between initial inquiry and the final manufacturing output. 

Day One

The opening day focused on the current state of the manufacturing industry and the role of automation in addressing labor shortages and engineering bottlenecks. 

Customer Spotlight: Safe-T-Fab 

A major highlight of the day was a presentation by GoEngineer customer, Safe-T-Fab, a leader in the design and manufacture of custom access platforms and fall protection systems. Data Analysis & Implementation Engineer, Chris Anderson, discussed how they implemented DriveWorks to handle the high variability inherent in safety equipment. 

By utilizing DriveWorks, Safe-T-Fab has automated the generation of complex assemblies and production drawings. Chris demonstrated how automation allows their team to respond to custom RFQs with higher accuracy and significantly reduced engineering overhead. Their implementation allows them to provide customers with 3D visuals and precise quotes early in the sales cycle, ensuring safety standards are met without manual redesign for every project. 

DriveWorks 24 Roadmap 

The initial look at DriveWorks 24 (slated for release at the end of July 2026) introduced several core system enhancements: 

• Expanded PDM Integration: New updates focus on streamlining the check-in/check-out processes for automatically generated files, cutting down on manual data management. 
• Form Logic and UX: New functionality within the Form Designer to create more responsive and intuitive interfaces. As one attendee put it, these are “very useful enhancements for reducing clicks-to-completion.” 
• Backend Performance: Improvements to the rules engine to handle larger datasets and more complex nested calculations with even lower latency.

Day Two

Day 2 shifted toward methodology, specifically focusing on how administrators can manage large-scale automation projects.

Managing Development, Testing, and Production Environments 

As projects grow in complexity, managing changes in a live production environment poses risks. The DriveWorks technical team outlined a tiered approach to mitigate that risk: 

1. Development: A sandbox for creating new rules, forms, and 3D scenes. 
2. Testing: A staging area where power users can validate the logic and output (drawings, BOMs) against engineering standards. 
3. Production: The live environment used by sales teams or customers. 

This session emphasized the use of separate groups or specific naming conventions to ensure that updates do not interrupt active manufacturing cycles.

The Steel Door Configurator: A Live Implementation 

The team performed a live redesign of a steel door configurator to showcase DriveWorks 24’s new capabilities. The project demonstrated: 

• Modular Rule Building: Breaking down complex door hardware and frame rules into manageable, reusable snippets. 
• Enhanced 3D Visualization: Utilizing new rendering capabilities to show realistic material finishes and hardware placements directly in the browser. 
• Dynamic Document Generation: Automating the creation of manufacturing instructions that change based on the specific hardware selected by the user. 

Key Features in DriveWorks 24 

While the full release notes will be available in July, DriveWorks World 2026 confirmed several high-impact features aimed at power users and administrators: 

• Improved Web Performance: Significant optimization for mobile and tablet browsers, ensuring that 3D configurations remain fluid regardless of hardware. 
• Advanced Data Grid Controls: New ways to display and interact with tabular data within forms, making it easier for users to select parts from large catalogs. 
• Reporting and Diagnostics: Enhanced logging and diagnostic tools to help administrators troubleshoot rule conflicts or integration errors more efficiently. 

GoEngineer Named Elite Reseller 

During the Reseller Preview, we were honored to receive the 2025 Elite Reseller award. This distinction is awarded based on overall excellence across six key technical and customer-facing areas outlined by DriveWorks.  

GoEngineer was the only reseller in North America to receive this award. For our customers, this means you have access to some of the most highly-certified DriveWorks application engineers in the world. It is a reflection of our team’s dedication to supporting your automation goals and ensuring your implementation is world-class. 

Implementation and Resources 

If you missed the live sessions, the DriveWorks World 2026 Event App will remain accessible until May 15th, 2026. It hosts on-demand recordings of all technical sessions, including the “What’s New” series and the Safe-T-Fab presentation. 

DriveWorks Solo Free Trial

For organizations looking to begin their automation journey before the release of DriveWorks 24, DriveWorks Solo is the perfect starting point. It allows for the automation of parts, assemblies, and drawings directly within the SOLIDWORKS interface. 

• 30-Day Free Trial: Validate the software against your specific product geometry and documentation requirements with a free trial.

Summary of Release Timeline 

• Event App Access: Closes May 15, 2026. 
• DriveWorks 24 Official Release: Expected late July 2026. 
• DriveWorks 25 Beta Testing: Expected Q1 2027. 

If you need technical assistance with your environment migration or want to discuss how DriveWorks 24 will impact your specific workflows, please contact us.

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