Join Us For WMLSWUG Technical Summit 2025
The Western Michigan Lakeshore SOLIDWORKS User Group (WMLSWUG) Technical Summit returns on December 18, 2025, in Holland, Michigan, bringing together designers, engineers, CAD managers, and PDM professionals for a full day of technical learning and community collaboration. This year’s agenda features two deeply practical sessions designed to strengthen everyday SOLIDWORKS workflows: one focused on configurations, and one demystifying file management and references.
SOLIDWORKS Configurations in Action: Setup, Tables, and Workflow Tips
Configurations remain one of the most powerful yet underutilized capabilities in SOLIDWORKS. When applied effectively, they streamline variation management, eliminate repetitive modeling, and reduce opportunities for errors.
This session provides a hands-on, guided walkthrough of:
• Setting up and structuring configurations for clarity and scalability
• Using design tables to drive geometry, parameters, and versions at scale
• Organizing configuration data so it remains intuitive and easy to maintain
• Applying configurations directly within daily project workflows to increase efficiency
The focus is practical implementation: how to turn configurations into a core part of your design process instead of an afterthought. Attendees walk away with actionable methods to reduce redundant work and manage complexity with confidence.
SOLIDWORKS File Management Made Simple
Every SOLIDWORKS user eventually encounters missing references, broken links, inconsistent naming, or file location mysteries. File management is foundational to a stable CAD environment, yet it is often one of the least discussed topics in day-to-day engineering. Tom’s session aims to change that by making file management understandable, structured, and even enjoyable.
Key topics include:
• Understanding how SOLIDWORKS manages file references and why it matters
• File location rules and the search order SOLIDWORKS uses behind the scenes
• Techniques for changing or repairing references with minimal effort
• Pros and cons of various naming conventions and why consistency matters
• Best practices for Pack & Go when sharing or archiving models
• Using PDM’s Copy Tree to manage complex file structures
Participants will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, reduce reference issues, and maintain cleaner, more predictable project architecture. The goal is to shift file management from a recurring headache to a reliable, well-understood component of your workflow.
Why This Summit Matters
The WMLSWUG Technical Summit has become a key gathering for the West Michigan SOLIDWORKS community, offering targeted education without abstraction or fluff. The sessions are built around real-world workflows: the tasks users perform every day, the problems they encounter repeatedly, and the practices that ultimately determine whether a project runs smoothly or becomes error-prone.
By attending, designers and engineers will gain:
• Repeatable workflow strategies
• Improved reliability across models and assemblies
• Stronger understanding of how SOLIDWORKS “thinks” behind the scenes
• Shared best practices across peer organizations
• A more efficient, frustration-free design environment
The 2025 summit promises a full day of learning, collaboration, and practical skill building for every level of SOLIDWORKS user. Holland, MI, will once again host a community that values craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
For event details, visit the Western Michigan Lakeshore SWUG event page on the SWUGN Community site.