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CAD Interoperability: Challenges, Solutions, & Recommendations
Terry PartridgeTechnical AdvisorCummins Inc.
Cummins Engineering Objective:• Design, manufacture, & support a variety of products in a global environment
CAD System Background
• Standard tool for product design: Pro/E• CAD models from suppliers received in format of:
‐ native Pro/E ‐ Pro/E neutral format ‐ STEP ‐ IGES‐many native formats
• CAD models delivered to customers as:‐ STEP ‐ IGES‐ native Pro/E ‐ CATIA/UG‐ 3D PDF
What this presentation IS NOT
• Not from the biggest company that makes the biggest products
• Not “everything you needed to know” …
What this presentation IS
• From a company that has global engineering experience
• An opportunity to compare what challenges we might have in common
• A benchmarking session reviewing one sample of interoperability processes/tools
•– ability of a system to work with or use the parts or equipment of another system
• http://www.merriam‐webster.com/dictionary/interoperability
• CAD Interoperability Challenges:– Obtain/deliver models among many CAD systems
– CAD systems change dynamically
– Multiple companies with varied practices
– Multiple locations world‐wide …
Interoperability
• noun ;
Challenges of Globalization• Multiple languages:
– Communications:• Barriers
• Lost in translation
• Accents ‐> corruptions
– Versions of software:• Multiple licenses
– Display of text in CAD files:• Dual display on drawings
Other Challenges of Globalization
• International business practices/laws:– Product content may have to change
– Sources of components may have to change
– Standards/processes vary by country
– Intellectual Property (IP) concerns:• Ownership
• Confidentiality
– Sharing software licenses across borders …
Pyramid of CAD Data Flow
Many Suppliers
Customers
Your CompanyCAD_A CAD_BCAD_Legacy
Why are CAD Systems like Indian Corn?
–Because not all kernels are the same !
CAD System KernelsACIS CATIA Pro/E ParasolidAutoCAD CATIA Pro/E Unigraphics
IronCAD SolidWorks
Inventor SolidEdge
+ Others & Legacy Systems
• Require closed volumes
• Encourage automated checking to your requirements
• Create proxy models when suppliers can’t/won’t
• Include CAD costs in source selection criteria
Challenge
• Acquiring models from suppliers:– Different CAD system
– No CAD system
Solutions
• Proliferation of files:– Purchased assemblies:
• Subassemblies/ parts not needed as individual models
– Extra effort/space to manage
Challenges
• Consolidate files:– CAD system functions
• Pro/E Shrinkwrap
• V5 Create Part
– Neutral formats
• Some models need to remain individual:– Service parts
– Exploded views
Solutions
Challenges
• Simple to moderate translation issues:– Small number of gaps
– Duplicate or missing surfaces
– A few bad boundaries
• Try to prevent
• Manual adjustments/ repair using CAD system tools:– Settings/re‐import
– Replace bad/missing surfaces
– Repair gaps/ boundaries …
Solutions
Challenges
• Serious issues:– Large number of gaps
– Greatly distorted geometry
– Complete failure
• Request different format or native file
• Re‐import with different settings
• Attempt using other CAD system as interim vehicle
• Use repair tool/expert
• Re‐create model
Solutions
Version 1
Version 2
Challenge:• Supplier models get updated/replaced:
Axis1 used as ref for mounting bolt
Axis1 can’t be found;
mounting bolt fails
Sample: mounting hardware failure
– repetitive fixing to company standards
– assemblies fail
Axis2
Challenge:• Supplier models get updated/replaced:– repetitive fixing
– assemblies fail
• Create “host assembly”: • Standard features (parameters/layers…)
• Axes/planes to locate model, & constrain model in next higher assy’s.
• Assemble supplier model
• Avoids rework/failures
• Don’t reference supplier model in upper assy’s.
Solutions
Challenge
• Translate and/or convert to other CAD formats
• Understand requirements
• Garbage In – Garbage Out
• Develop modeling standards
• Follow them
• Use automated checking
• Try industry std. formats 1st
(STEP often works best)
• Try integrated/3rd party tools
Recommendations
Good toolsmake life
easier!
Tools For High Volume Needs:
• On‐line models:– Automated process to create multiple formats
– Post formats on secured website
– Customers download as needed
– Not cheap …
Customer Models via Web
Customer Drawings via Web
Customer Models via Web
Tools (cont.)
• To create 3D PDF:– Adobe Acrobat 3D Version 8+ (not free)
– Pro/E Wildfire 4 (limited capability)
• To view 3D PDF:– Adobe Reader (e.g., 8.1 ; … is free)
Lightweight Formats: e.g., Adobe 3D PDF
Acrobat 3D PDF
• Formats:– U3D:
• Tessellated, approximate model
– PRC:• Accurate BREP surfaces
• Section/measure
• Transfer accurate geometry
• Imports many CAD formats
• Can save as STEP
3D PDF Sample
• If a customer requires data in their native CAD format, but not with all fully parametric features:– Obtain a license of their CAD software
– Use their Start Part template, if available
– Import a translated model (e.g., STEP) …
• If your customer uses a quality checking tool (e.g., ModelCHECK, Q‐Checker, etc.):– Obtain the software & their configuration files
– Run your models through it, prior to delivering …
Recommendations: Native Files
• Universal CAD system:– Not likely
• Universal CAD features:– Not likely
• Hardware with no speed/limit issues• Data translator/converter with 100% Easy Button:
– Not yet
• Industry standard format with no problems:– ??
• Universal Digital Mock‐Up system:– Meet all needs
Opportunities
• Do unto others, …– Don’t require suppliers to deliver fully featured, native
models in your CAD system format, unless necessary …
• Create standards to ensure quality models, and follow them
• Encourage CAD vendors to work openly & improve compliance with industry standards
• Consolation: – if it was easy, unemployment in this room would rise!
Recommendations
It Could Be Worse …
* Not actual results
*
Questions ?