Production tooling built from editable engineering intent
Tooling and fixture design software
Design the fixture around the part, process, access, and repeatability requirements—then keep every clamp, locator, plate, and revision connected to the current manufacturing context.
zCAD Online provides browser-based parametric CAD for jigs, fixtures, tooling components, inspection aids, assemblies, design review, versions, and model-linked drawings.
Tooling fails when the fixture and the production part evolve separately.
Jigs, fixtures, inspection aids, and assembly tooling depend on current workpiece geometry, process access, repeatable location, and clear manufacturing information.
Engineering pressures
The workpiece changes
A revised surface, hole, datum, or interface can invalidate locators, clamps, nests, and inspection features.
Access drives the structure
Tools, operators, sensors, fasteners, and handling equipment need space around the same constrained part.
Shop feedback arrives late
Assembly and use reveal changes that must return to the editable tooling definition and its drawings.
Design tooling around the part, process, and repeatability requirement.
Keep the workpiece context, fixture assembly, reusable components, review decisions, and drawings connected through each revision.
Jigs, fixtures, and tooling assemblies
Develop plates, locators, clamps, supports, nests, gauges, brackets, and complete tooling structures as editable CAD.
Part and process interfaces
Keep workpiece geometry, datums, access, clearances, handling, and manufacturing requirements visible in context.
Tooling review and revision
Review the current assembly with design and manufacturing participants, then return approved changes to the source model.
Drawings and shop-floor handoff
Create model-linked drawings and supported exchange files for tooling manufacture, assembly, inspection, and use.
Move from manufacturing requirement to a reviewable fixture package.
The workflow begins with the part and process, develops the tooling structure, and preserves the approved definition for manufacture and reuse.
Frame the tooling requirement
Capture the workpiece, datums, process access, loads, repeatability needs, handling, and inspection context.
Develop the fixture
Build plates, locators, clamps, supports, nests, gauges, brackets, and the complete tooling assembly.
Review part and process access
Inspect clearances, loading, fastening, assembly, and manufacturing questions in the current browser model.
Document and reuse
Create model-linked drawings and retain the editable source for the next part revision or tooling variant.
Project inputs
- Current workpiece geometry
- Process, datum, and access requirements
- Manufacturing constraints
Expected outputs
- Editable tooling assembly
- Reviewable workpiece and fixture context
- Model-linked tooling drawings
Teams involved
- Tooling design
- Manufacturing engineering
- Production and inspection
Connected workflows
Create and Configure CAD
Create editable parametric CAD from requirements, existing geometry, or a blank project—then configure parts, assemblies, and product variants from one reusable design definition.
Review and Collaborate
Review multi-format CAD in the browser and keep engineers, suppliers, clients, and manufacturing teams aligned around the same current 3D design.
Manage Data and Change
Keep CAD projects, versions, permissions, reviews, and design changes connected to the current cloud model.
Document and Deliver
Turn approved 3D product data into model-linked drawings and supported engineering delivery formats.
Product
zCAD Online
Cloud-native 3D CAD software for parametric parts, large assemblies, engineering drawings, and real-time design collaboration in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What is tooling design software used for?
Tooling design software supports jigs, fixtures, plates, locators, clamps, nests, gauges, supports, brackets, and complete tooling assemblies. zCAD Online keeps this mechanical geometry editable while connecting review, versions, and model-linked drawings.
How does fixture design software keep tooling connected to the workpiece?
The workpiece and tooling assembly can be reviewed in the same 3D context so designers can inspect datums, location, clamping, access, clearances, and handling before the fixture is released.
Can manufacturing teams review the fixture in a browser?
Yes. Permitted design, manufacturing, production, and inspection participants can inspect the current assembly and discuss part interfaces, access, assembly, and drawing questions around the same model.
Does zCAD provide mold-flow analysis or CNC programming?
No. This page describes mechanical CAD for tooling and fixtures, browser review, versions, drawings, and supported exchange. Mold-flow analysis, process simulation, CAM, CNC programming, and machine setup remain in separate specialist tools.
What should a tooling team verify during evaluation?
Use a representative workpiece and fixture assembly to verify geometry, references, assembly scale, drawings, file exchange, permissions, and downstream manufacturing handoff before adopting the workflow.
Keep the fixture connected to the part it must control.
Develop jigs, fixtures, and tooling assemblies in an editable browser CAD workflow that stays ready for the next revision.
Ready when the project is
Start with the workflow your team can verify.
Open zCAD Online in the browser, or talk with zCAD.ai about the industry workflow on this page.