Specializing in complex design and manufacturing automation, CadMakers leverages the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to connect design and execution in a single, seamless digital thread. We spoke with Vince Mong, Project Manager, and Shunsuke Harano, Digital Manufacturing Automation Lead, to explore how CATIA and DELMIA help accelerate workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and push the boundaries of construction innovation.
Engineering Complexity: Inside CadMakers’ Digital Construction Vision
At CadMakers, complexity is a daily reality. Based in Vancouver, Canada, the company delivers advanced digital construction solutions for large-scale projects where precision, coordination, and efficiency are essential.
We’re dealing with mostly complex construction projects or other designs that we need to make the process faster, smoother, and improve efficiency […] We’re always looking for ways to make that better
This drive for optimization led CadMakers to seek a platform capable of bridging architectural design, process planning, and digital manufacturing not through disconnected tools, but through a unified digital ecosystem. That’s where CATIA and DELMIA on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform entered the picture.
One Platform, One Process: From Design to Manufacturing with CATIA and DELMIA
For CadMakers, the combination of CATIA for design and DELMIA for process planning has been transformative. By integrating both under the 3DEXPERIENCE umbrella, the team eliminated one of the biggest obstacles in digital construction: data fragmentation.
Since it’s all under the same platform, 3DX umbrella, whatever we design in CATIA can directly carry it over to DELMIA to start working on manufacturing […] We don’t have to go to external software it’s all done in one platform, which is great! It’s very streamlined
This seamless connection allows CadMakers to move from concept to fabrication without repetitive exports, lost metadata, or version control headaches. The impact?
- Faster project delivery, with design and manufacturing teams working concurrently
- Reduced manual rework, freeing engineers to focus on value-added tasks
- Higher data integrity, ensuring that the digital model remains the single source of truth
We had a lot of successes using 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Like the fact that everything is enclosed in one platform, that the export-importing, which is always a pain point for any other software platform […] But that was just gone in the 3DExperience platform
Digital Construction that Reflects the Real World
Construction is not just about designing geometry, it’s about integrating real-world constraints like material behavior, sequencing, and on-site feasibility. CATIA enables CadMakers to simulate, validate, and optimize these parameters early in the digital workflow.
By linking 3D models to process planning, CadMakers can visualize every stage of construction before it happens, identifying bottlenecks and potential conflicts long before they reach the job site.
As Vince notes:
Sometimes we do 3D models that are attached to the process planning side of things. That’s definitely there
This data-driven approach transforms how digital twins are used in construction turning them from static visualizations into dynamic, executable plans that blend engineering, fabrication, and assembly in a single digital environment.
Collaboration Without Boundaries: The Human Side of Digital Construction
Beyond the technical benefits, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is reshaping how CadMakers’ teams collaborate. The integration of CATIA and DELMIA fosters a new kind of synergy between designers, engineers, and manufacturers.
We can collaborate the design team with the manufacturing team. That’s very smooth and streamlined, which very powerful
This cultural shift extends beyond internal collaboration. With shared, real-time access to models, stakeholders can make informed decisions faster, reducing delays and improving project transparency.
And when asked whether the same results could be achieved with a traditional modeling approach, Vince was clear:
I wouldn’t say it’s impossible, but it’s going to take a lot of time, a lot of manpower. It’s the kind of thing that you look at and say: I can do it, but I really don’t want to
Conclusion
For CadMakers, CATIA and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform are more than just software: they’re enablers of digital transformation in the construction industry.
By merging design, process planning, and manufacturing into a unified ecosystem, CadMakers is paving the way for faster, smarter, and more sustainable building delivery.
FAQ
1. Why is CATIA essential to CadMakers’ complex construction projects?
CATIA enables CadMakers to design, simulate, and plan manufacturing in a single environment. By connecting with DELMIA on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it eliminates data silos and speeds up project delivery.
2. How does CATIA support CadMakers’ work?
CATIA enables seamless integration between design and manufacturing, reducing manual rework and improving collaboration.
3. Why did CadMakers choose the 3DEXPERIENCE platform?
Because it unifies CATIA and DELMIA under one environment, eliminating data silos and export-import inefficiencies.
4. What benefits does digital construction bring?
It accelerates project delivery, enhances accuracy, and enables simulation of real-world conditions before physical execution.
5. How does CATIA compare to traditional modeling software?
CATIA offers unparalleled automation, parametric generative design capabilities, and full integration across disciplines far beyond traditional tools.
