Ondsel offers a free‑software 3D CAD suite built on FreeCAD that adds parametric modeling, constrained sketching, FEA, and CAM tools, and integrates with an optional cloud service for versioned file storage, real‑time collaboration, and access controls. The platform supports common exchange formats and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, targeting mechanical engineers and product development teams seeking an open-source, collaborative design workflow.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Mechanical engineers and industrial designers often lack a unified, open-source environment that combines full‑featured 3D CAD, simulation, and collaborative data management, forcing them to piece together disparate tools or rely on costly proprietary suites.
Solution
Ondsel provides the Ondsel Engineering Suite (ES), a free‑software 3D CAD application built on FreeCAD with added capabilities for constrained sketching, parametric modeling, finite element analysis, and CAM. The suite integrates with Ondsel Lens, an optional cloud‑based product data management service that stores FCStd and STEP files, tracks revisions, and enables team workspaces, share links, and access controls. Users can work offline with the desktop application or, when Lens is active, collaborate in real time, comment on designs, and visualize assemblies. The platform supports common exchange formats (STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF) and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering a consistent workflow from design to simulation to manufacturing.
Target Audience
Primary users are mechanical engineers, industrial designers, and small to medium product development teams that need an open-source CAD solution with collaborative cloud capabilities.
Features
- Integrated FreeCAD‑based CAD core with enhanced sketching, parametric modeling, and assembly workbench
- Built‑in finite element analysis (FEA) and computer‑aided manufacturing (CAM) tools
- Optional Ondsel Lens service for cloud vaulting, version history, and team workspace management
- Fine‑grained privacy controls, shareable PIN‑protected links, and download permissions for design files
- Support for multiple open file formats (STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, FCStd, SVG, DXF) and cross‑platform binaries
- Commenting and bookmarking features to facilitate design review and collaboration
- Ability to run custom Python scripts within the Enterprise tier for extended automation