Synchronous Technology A New Paradigm in 3D Designedgd.asee.org/conferences/proceedings/63rdMid/papers/plummer... · Synchronous Technology A New Paradigm in 3D Design ... Siemens

63rd Annual ASEE/EDGD Mid-Year Conference Proceedings, Berkeley, California – January 4-7, 2009

Synchronous Technology A New Paradigm in 3D Design

R. L. Plummer

MS Systems Management University of Southern California (USC)

Principal / Systems Consultant Archway Systems Inc.

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

ABSTRACT - “Synchronous Technology” (ST) is a

dramatic breakthrough in Computer Aided Design

(CAD) that will change the way engineers approach

product design and create a new paradigm in

Engineering Education by providing tools that allow

students to focus more on “what” they want to model

rather than “how” they want to model. As noted by

Dr. Ken Versprille (April 2008), ST is a history-free,

feature based modeling system that combines the best of

dimension and constraint driven techniques for full

control and repeatability, with the flexibility of direct

modeling – “A 100x design speed improvement could

be a conservative estimate”. This paper will introduce

and summarize some of the key features and benefits of

this amazing new technology against the backdrop of

traditional CAD and examine some of its remarkable

and well documented improvements in design

productivity and what this could mean for industry and

education.

I. What is “Synchronous Technology”

Synchronous Technology is a patent pending,

proprietary software application layer available in

Siemens Solid Edge and NX software products.

During Siemens acquisition of UGS Corporation, it was

discovered that their engineers were working on a

technology that would fundamentally change the way

manufacturers design and develop products, allowing

them to deliver innovation faster than ever before.

Siemens accelerated development and testing of this

new technology and were able to create a system that

simultaneously synchronizes model geometry and

behavior rules and brings them all together with new

decision logic into a single software engine.

The results are a design experience that:

1) Allows automatic selection of geometry based on

function or condition.

2) Allows feature parameter manipulation without

ordered regeneration.

3) Allows edits to geometry regardless of creation

order.

4) Eliminates many issues with parent/child features.

5) Allows dimensional directional control not

possible in history based systems.

6) Allows editing of outsourced CAD data – up to 50

or 100 times faster than the system it was created

in.

II. A Look Back at CAD

Over the past 45 years, Computer Aided Design has

seen many advances (see Figure 1). 2D digital drafting

of the early 1960’s let to 3D wireframe and surface

modeling technology in the 70’s. CAD technology

remained classified as explicit modeling because of the

need to edit lines and curves in the outer boundaries of

the 3D model. In the early 80’s, solid modeling

solutions remained explicit because of the reliance on


Boolean operations of union, subtract and intersection.

This all changed in the mid 1980’s with the emergence

of parametric modeling and the beginning of model

features being embedded in a sequential history-based

architecture. Throughout the 1990’s, and into the 21st

century, most CAD applications adopted this

parametric, feature, history-based approach. Evan

Yares (2008) believes that Parametric modeling can be

incredibly powerful, but does little to help users deal

with “dumb” or imported models. For this, the

essential method is explicit modeling. The basic

concept is pretty simple; editing operations are made

directly to the boundary representation model. The end

result of direct editing is a dumb solid model – one with

no parameters or features. Synchronous Technology

is “transformative” in that it allows a dumb model to

become “smart” because the system is able to infer the

design intent. This represents an important

breakthrough in the CAD industry as seen in Figure 2.

What Siemens has created with Synchronous

Technology is the best of both approaches – deep,

insightful examination of the current geometry

conditions of a model, joining that information together

with user-defined constraints and parametrically driven

dimensions, and then localizing dependencies in real

time.

How CAD has Evolved…………

Figure 1. History of CAD.


2008 – Synchronous Technology creates a New Paradigm in CAD Design

Figure 2. Synchronous Technology – a New Paradigm.

III. Capturing Ideas as you think of Them

Driving design with 3D Dimensions - Engineers and

designers are forced to use precious time pre-planning

designs for future use. In Figure 3, below, the designer

wants to add geometry to the model while maintaining

the position of the hole from the base but he cannot.

Figure 3. Need to Add a Base.

In traditional CAD, this simply isn’t possible as

illustrated in Figure 4 and you would have to redraw or

recreate the hole – again losing valuable time.

Figure 4. Can’t Change Hole Location.

Synchronous Technology allows users to add 3D

driving dimensions anytime during the design process,

so design requirements can be established as needed

(see Figure 5).


Figure 5. Driving Dimensions with ST.

3D driving dimensions can be locked, dynamic, based

on equations and linked to spreadsheets so parts can be

configured as needed using a wide variety of

engineering practices. If intent needs to be redefined, a

simple drag drop of a dimension from one part of a

model to another can be performed.

Special Editing Tools – A critical area of concern

for all mechanical designers is how to respond

effectively to customer requests for change. The new

editing tools in ST allow designers to make changes

much quicker to meet tight deadlines. To speed up this

process, sketching and modeling are contained in a

single design environment so after drawing you use

“grab and go” handles to turn design regions into a 3D

model. You can sketch in 3D space or directly on the

model and intent is implied based on cursor position.

Sketches become consumed and are no longer needed

because the edits are made directly to the 3D model.

Upon selection of a 3D face, a special multi-purpose

handle called a steering wheel is displayed for

immediate action (Figure 6). Move, rotate or align 3D

geometry by pulling or enter exact values for precise

control.

Figure 6 – Grab and Go Tools.

Feature Collection – ST actually stores model

features (holes, rounds, cutouts, etc.) as a collection and

not in a linear (order dependent) tree like traditional

parametric modeling systems that required model

regeneration when changes are made. With ST, you

can can organize and edit features as fast as you can

move your mouse. This ability to collect features

allows you to sort and group features by name or by

type.

This increases productivity because you can now

easily group rounds, holes and cutouts together

regardless of when they were created (see figure 7

below). What this means for the designer / engineer is

that no regeneration of the model is required when

Steering Wheel

Selecting a Region


features are edited. Features can instantly be eliminated

and new ones created by simply sketching them on the

model. Material can be added or subtracted by

highlighting a sketch region and stretching/shrinking

with a mouse or typing in precise dimensions. You can

even modify operations that occurred very early on

during model creation. All of this adds up to significant

time savings and productivity gains. The spreadsheet

below (Figure 8) is representative of the time savings

realized with Synchronous Technology.

What this means for the designer / engineer is that no

regeneration of the model is required when features are

edited. Features can instantly be eliminated and new

ones created by simply sketching them on the model.

Figure 7. Sorting Features in ST.

Up to a 100x Design Speed Experience with ST

Task Traditional

Technology Synchronous Technology

Strategize the edit (add feature, edit existing) 60 seconds 0 seconds

Locate feature for edit 5 0

Roll model to feature for edit 5 0

Add draft face operation 30 5

Recompute from new draft 10 0

Discover an error 15 0

Strategize the fix (new plane, from other…) 30 0

Create vertial plane and reorder 30 0

Edit boss to new plane 30 0

Recompute rest of model 5 0

Total Time 3.7 minutes 5 seconds

Figure 8. Time Savings with ST.


IV. Changing Models as You Change Your Mind

Fast Edits – Traditional CAD tools force change in

the same manner as creating data, so users must spend

precious design time just understanding how the model

was created. Because of the history approach, models

must be constrained in a specific way and usually not

the way needed so you can expect to spend time fixing

broken features downstream from the change. The

most desirable and natural way to edit is to change the

geometry itself and not some underlying constraint

system, an unrelated feature or a parent sketch. So how

can Synchronous Technology let you change your

model as fast as you can change your mind?

You are able to grab large portions of a model and

move it with little effort. Making these drastic changes

without regard to how the model was constructed offers

tremendous flexibility because modifications aren’t

limited by creation methods as shown in Figure 10

below. For example, if you want to move a hole or slot,

you can move that feature directly. Making this same

change in a traditional CAD system will force an edit to

some parent feature. Changes are shown in real-time

regardless of model size.

Changing a Model as Fast as You Can Change Your Mind

Figure 10 – Fast Edits in ST.


Live Rules - A unique concept in Synchronous

Technology is Live Rules. This capability

automatically finds and maintains geometric conditions

during a drag or even a dimensional edit (Figure 9).

History based CAD systems require even the most

obvious geometric conditions to be called out with

constraints so changes outside that definition can’t be

accomplished. With Live Rules the system is smart

enough to recognize conditions such as concentric,

tangent, symmetric, horizontal, vertical and even co-

planar and keep those conditions during edits. The

Engineer is able to capture a feature like a hole and

move it into position to meet a pin or shaft while the

rest of the model reacts predictably. Since features are

not dependent on each other, users can move any

elements in the model. Live Rules finds and maintains

concentric and tangent elements and can be configured

to maintain more or less conditions, such as keeping

faces horizontal or vertical. Other systems don’t allow

these types of edits because holes are driven from other

features. By temporarily suspending Live Rules, you

can easily drag just an interior face even if a series of

cuts was made with a single feature. No matter which

faces are selected, live rules finds and maintains critical

geometric conditions.

Live Rules automatically finds and maintains geometric

conditions during drag or dimensional edits

Figure 9. Live Rules in ST.

Move only the red hole and get the exact results you need—even with NO relationships


3D Driving Dimensions – With ST, 3D driving

dimensions can be added to any part of a 3D model, not

just sketch elements. Thus, you have the ability to

control the position of geometry that was created earlier

in the process. Dimensions can be linked to

spreadsheets or you can build formulas to relate one

dimension to another. 3D model constraints can be

used to modify geometry and make elements

perpendicular, tangent or parallel and that relationship

can be saved to keep the users rules. Because features

and geometry are not dependent on each other, users

can change either element and the other will react

accordingly regardless of creation order. In the index

block example (Figure 10), dimensions were applied

directly to the 3D model and allow immediate change.

Although the index guide was one of the last features

created, it can actually drive the overall size as the

direction is toggled. To fix critical distances,

dimensions can be locked but still allow edits as shown

in red. Dimensions can have any number of equations

or be linked to spreadsheets for building configurable

parts. Even the hole can be changed from threaded to a

counter-bore. Live rules maintain model integrity and

locked 3D driving dimensions preserve distances. No

other CAD system in the world allows you to make

direct edits but have precise dimensional control.

3D Driving Dimensions allow Immediate Change to 3D Model

Figure 10.1 Increasing the angle. Figure 10.2 locking in critical dimensions.

Figure 10.3 Centering and Redefining the Hole.


Feature Parameter Manipulation Without Order

Regeneration – While features don’t need to be edited

in the same manner as they were created, there is a

certain class of features where it makes sense. Holes

are the most common where users often need to change

the type from simple to counter bore. After performing

a thin-wall operation, being able to change its thickness

is another good example. These are called procedural

features and are significantly smarter than features in

any other system. These ST features are unique to the

CAD industry. While history based systems have been

able to do this for many years, they suffer performance

issues as all subsequent operations need to be

regenerated even if the change is an isolated part of the

model. Procedural features in ST allow modification of

features with no model regeneration. The system uses

a localized solve and only updates the minimum

geometry required to get results from the Change.

Because features are not dependent, you can make

direct modifications to any of the pattern instances and

all occurrences will immediately reflect that change.

For example, to increase the aesthetic look of the slot

array in Figure 11 below, traditional CAD systems

require changes to the parent feature and must

regenerate all downstream operations. In ST, Features

are not dependent on each other, so you have total

flexibility in placing dimensions to any element when

most convenient. By adding a dimension from the

center of the wheel to one of the slots, we can change

the size and position of all pattern instances.

Synchronous Technology is the only CAD system

where you can make parameterized edits without

complete model regeneration. .

Changing Pattern Instances, Length, Style and Angle

Figure 11.1 Changing Pattern Instances.

Figure 11.2 Changing Pattern Length, Style and Angle.


V. Synchronous Technology in a Multi-CAD World

Most CAD systems can share data through neutral

exchange formats such as STEP or IGES. Some

systems even simplify the translation and read the CAD

data directly skipping the Save As step. However,

that’s where the simplicity ends. This is a nagging

problem for designers and engineers because there is

often no effective way to edit imported geometry or

include it in existing geometry. In ST, the same levels

of edit capabilities are available for imported models as

for native files. Faces or complete face sets can be

copied, moved, rotated or deleted. For precise control,

dimensions can be used even thougth imported

geometry may be “dumb” with no stored relationships

or features. Live rules in ST recognizes geometric

relationships within the imported model to ensure

predictable edits. Procedural features can be added at

will and the same synchronous solve technology

manages the changes to any geometric element. For

example, you can add dimensions between mounting

holes in an imported model, enter a desired value, and

the correct hole spacing will be obtained.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, parts from three

different CAD systems are used to create a vise

assembly. The jaw plate comes from AutoDesk

Inventor and doesn’t fit. However, with ST, you can

align the faces and create geometric relationships like

symetry. The overall shape is maintained by preserving

concentric and tangent conditions. The movable jaw

came from SolidWorks and is missing some key

features. With the tools in ST, you can easily copy data

between models from different CAD systems. The vice

plate was created in Siemens’ Solid Edge and contains

features that will be duplicated on the SolidWorks part.

Since features have no dependency, you are able to

simply move holes and the model will follow.

Geometry across different assembly components is free

from dependency.

The result is a design experience that allows you to

edit imported CAD data faster (often much faster) than

the system it originated from.

Figure 12. Imported Data in ST.

Autodesk Jaw Plate

Solid Works Movable Jaw

Solid Edge (ST) Vice Plate


Fast Importing and Modifying of Foreign CAD Files

Align Autodesk Jaw Plate Add Features to SolidWorks Blend Solid Edge Features into Movable Jaw SolidWorks Movable Jaw

Copy feature from Jaw plate Attach Feature to Jaw Select, align and reposition

Select face Select co-planar surface Stretch to desired width and base features

Figure 13 - From Imported Files to Finished Assembly in 2 minutes !!

10 seconds 15 seconds5 seconds




VI. Combining 3D with the simplicity of 2D

Designers proficient in 2D drawing often need to edit

Engineers’ 3D models. Engineers and analysts need to

test parts against requirements and manuafacturing

may need to adjust a blend radius to reduce fabrication

costs – not to mention all the “what if” experiments

carried out in product development. Synchronous

Technology helps to make experts out of non-engineers

by allowing them to create designs in the same

environment with unified 2D and 3D commands. It

helps to bridge the gap between 2D and 3D by

including faniliar concepts such as fence select and

stretch (Figure 14/15). If you need to move a set of

features or faces, fence them in and drag them to a new

location. The analyst testing a proof of concept can

now make a stiffening rib stronger by just draging a

face.

ST provides “hot keys” for quickly snapping models

to a top or side view, 3D stretching on parts and

assemblies is just that much easier. With this

capability, you can snap to a front view, fence half the

model and stretch it into position without having to find

and edit the appropriate feature (if that were even

possible) and fixing any downstream failures. ST will

automatically maintain geometric conditions with Live

Rules and if there are any 3D driving dimensions to

control fit and position, those will be maintained as

well.

Figure 14 - Example of 2D Stretch into 3D Model Update.

Figure 15 – Stretching in 3D as if they were 2D.


VII. ST’s impact on Design Productivity

Performance improvements realized by synchronous

technology for edits on history based models will

resultin dramatic development process gains (Dr Ken

Versprille, 2008) and product manufactuing companies

will see:

• Decreased time to revenue based on reduce

development cycles.

• Increased ease in coping with expected and

unexpected product change.

• An opportunity to work on product models

they did not originally author.

• Dramatic improvement in the supply chain

because design intelligence can be transferred

between different CAD systems.

• Increased capabilities exploring alternative

designs at a much faster rate.

• The ability to reuse designs without

remodeling.

• An ability to react faster to market requirement

changes much later in the development cycle.

This all translates into very good news and a big boost

in productivity for design and manufacturing companies

(see Figure 15). The robust features and functions in

Sybchronous Technology will allow designers and

engineers to innovate and excel in a brand new and

very exciting interactive design environment.

Figure 15 – Productivity Improvements with ST.

Task Traditional Technology

Synchronous Technology

Strategize the edit (edit dimension) 60 seconds 0 seconds Locate feature to edit 20 0 Edit feature 60 5 Regenerate model 30 0 Inspect model for dowstream failures 180 0 Fix failed features 900 0 Time 20.8 minutes 5 seconds


VIII. Synchronous Technology’s impact in

Education

More and more technologies are required to be taught

in engineering schools with seemingly less and less

time available for educators to devote time to leaning,

developing curriculum and ultimately transferring this

knowledge to their students. Many students find that

they must take five years to complete the bachelor’s

degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering.

Anything that can be done to make the learning process

more productive has to help. Synchronous Technology

may enable shortening classes in solid modeling or

increase the number of projects done in a class, either

of which would contribute to the productivity of

learning. Coupled with automated drafting modules

available from Siemens and other CAD manufacturers,

it may even be possible to eliminate a basic CAD class

where much time is spent learning the steps required to

create and edit models. This would enable both the

professor and student to spend more time on product

design focusing on “what” and not “how” they want to

model.

IX. Conclusion

Siemens Corporation has created a new paradigm in

3D Design with Synchronous Technology. It sets a

new standard for mechanical CAD software providers,

offering designers, engineers and educators more

capability, flexibility, speed and freedom in 3D

modeling than ever before. Many Industry analysts

and CAD enthusiasts believe ST is the greatest CAD

breakthrough in the last 25 years. It allows Engineers

to rapidly test out and validate new ideas with 3D

driving dimensions, robust editing tools and feature

collections that don’t require model regeneration. Live

Rules allow the engineer to change their mind and

quickly test out new modeling scenarios at unheard of

speed because geometric conditions of the models are

identified and maintained. ST can edit imported data

from any CAD system and turn dumb solids into parts

with features that can be copied from model to model.

And this can be done quicker than in their native CAD

software.

Siemens’ Synchronous Technology has combined the

best of explicit and feature/history based CAD systems

and created a marvelous new approach to 3D design –

one that will no doubt have their competitors

scrambling to catch up.

X. References

Versprille, Dr. K. (2008) Synchronous Technology, white paper prepared by Collaboration Product Development Associates, LLC. Yares, E. C. (2008) Synchronous Technology and Design Freedom, commentary by Evan Yares on the tools that engineers use to shape our world. Siemens Corporation Publications (2008) 10 Reasons to Select Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology, (2008) Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology, Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology, the biggest breakthrough in CAD seen in the last 20 Years.

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Synchronous Technology A New Paradigm in 3D Designedgd.asee.org/conferences/proceedings/63rdMid/papers/plummer... · Synchronous Technology A New Paradigm in 3D Design ... Siemens