PTC has announced the launch of a new AI-powered feature that will support engineers to push the boundaries of performance.
The digital transformation specialist has introduced FeatureScript MCP Server capability in its Onshape CAD and PDM platform, giving firms the opportunity to create custom CAD features using natural language and AI.
Available through its Onshape Labs initiative, engineers simply describe the functionality they require and AI automatically helps build, test, debug, and refine the custom feature until it works as intended.
"The future of AI in CAD is not simply text-to-CAD, but text-to-code-to-CAD," said David Katzman, EVP and general manager of Onshape and Arena at PTC.
"The real value of AI is helping engineers turn proven ideas into tools they can use again and again. With the new FeatureScript MCP Server, Onshape has become the most customisable production CAD system, empowering all users to build engineering capabilities tailored to their company's products and processes."
FeatureScript is Onshape's unique programming language for CAD automation, enabling companies to capture engineering knowledge, automate repetitive design tasks, and create custom design tools tailored to their workflows.
It extends those capabilities to coding LLMs such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini. Built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), engineers can connect AI directly with Onshape FeatureScript code.
These solutions helps organisations: Expanding access to automation by allowing engineers to create custom CAD features using natural language rather than code.
Capturing and scale engineering knowledge by turning proven design practices into reusable tools that can be shared across teams and projects. Generate lasting value from AI by creating custom engineering tool sets that can be reused without repeated prompting, ongoing AI interactions, or recurring AI costs.
"The significance of this announcement isn't that AI can generate another CAD model," said Jeff Hojlo, research vice president, Industrial Ecosystems, Engineering & Product Innovation Strategies at IDC.
"It's that AI is being used to create engineering capability. As organisations look to apply AI in engineering, the focus is shifting from generating outputs to capturing and operationalising engineering expertise."
With Onshape and the rest of its portfolio, PTC is delivering on its vision for the Intelligent Product Lifecycle: enabling manufacturers and product companies to build a product data foundation, extend the value of that data across their enterprise, and accelerate AI-driven transformation.
Broader use of product data enables companies to bring higher quality products to market faster, better manage product complexity, meet regulatory and compliance standards, and much more.