The reason
Why labs want this
Engineering models need to see reasoning, not only finished drawings: why a tolerance moved, which load case drove a choice, what the bench test revealed. Design reviews and calculation files capture that in a way public sources do not.
The process
Your path from here
Get an estimate by answering four questions. A specialist from License Your Data phones within minutes to book a 15-minute call. If you go ahead, License Your Data prepares a de-identified copy, you approve a sample, and buyers license that copy.
Client designs covered by NDA
Much of an engineering firm's work belongs to clients or is under NDA. Whether any of that can be included depends on your contracts, so ask your own counsel. Client owned material can stay out.
Export controlled data
Work for defense, aerospace and some other programs may be export controlled. Scoping flags it, and it can be excluded altogether.
The same rules apply
Everything starts under NDA. There is no cost to you, and nothing goes out until you sign off on a sample.
Where to start
Where the valuable history lives
You do not need all of them. One well kept system can be enough to begin.
CAD and model files
How parts and assemblies are modeled, toleranced and revised.
Calculation files and BOMs
How engineers size components, choose materials and check margins.
Design review notes
The debate, the decision and the reasoning behind it.
Inspection and test results
How predicted performance compared with what happened on the bench.
What engineering firms ask
Will anyone access our PDM vault?
No. Nobody asks for passwords or logins, and your originals stay in your systems.
Can one product line stay out?
Yes. You can exclude any project, client, product line or period.
Are PDFs enough, or do you need native CAD?
That depends on what buyers are looking for. The 15-minute call is where your formats and systems get discussed.