Implementing CAD data management with Model-Based Definition

CAD systems have brought about a complete transformation through the digitization of technical drawings. However, this innovation also generates an enormous amount of data. Companies with complex products often have thousands, sometimes millions, of components, assemblies, and drawings, each with its own data, revised versions, and interrelationships.

Therefore, if there is no formal or automated process for working with a structure, it is only a matter of time before one loses track and critical errors occur.

CAD data management on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform

CAD vendors quickly recognized the added value of offering their own software with PDM (product data management) – a suite of functionalities focused on the design department. The manufacturing industry has now matured, and product development has become more complex due to the introduction of multidisciplinary structures.

Products are increasingly integrated with software and electronic components, the management of which within CAD and PDM systems can be challenging. While PDM is sufficient for some, there are many companies for whom PDM alone no longer offers the desired added value. Learn more about integrating CAD into PLM in our guide, CAD PLM Integration.

Consider traceability, variant management, classifications, change processes, or integration with other systems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) or PIM (product information management). Often, production or even financial information is embedded in the structure of CAD models or drawings, intended to compensate for the shortcomings of PDM systems.

This is where PLM (product lifecycle management) comes into play.

Developments in the field of CAD data management

Software vendors are increasingly focusing on supporting the entire product lifecycle. While PDM is part of that, platforms like 3DEXPERIENCE encompass product development, production processes, and internal and external communication. It’s a strategic approach that impacts your entire business.

This also affects how CAD data is managed. The reason we regularly see production and sometimes even financial information in models is the same reason we see parts lists on drawings.

It’s easy to use and facilitates access to information visualized on your model. But what happens when there’s a change in ERP system? Even if the geometry itself hasn’t changed, there’s still a new, revised version. The same applies to changes in bills of materials that impact drawings. The impact that revised versions or changes of any kind can have on models and drawings shouldn’t be underestimated.

CAD drawings are of central importance to many companies. They are the crucial document for production and, externally, for customers. Changes to CAD drawings therefore have repercussions throughout the entire internal production process and even reach the customer’s company.

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform introduces the concept of the “engineering definition.” This is a data object linked to your model or drawing, in which information is stored, and separate revision management is supported.

What is MBD (model-based definition)?

Model-based definition is essentially a return to the CAD-centric model. The significant difference, however, is that the new 3DEXPERIENCE data model projects various views onto your model. Information or processes are created within the context of the model, but not stored there. This keeps the model “clean” and makes the representation of information easy to visualize.

For example, the “engineering view” visualizes the 3D model and allows the user to access and modify CAD data. This enables a product manager to create a composition and view additional product information without needing CAD licenses. Customer feedback can be displayed on the model as a note or theme, and so on.

Figure 1: Example of adding a comment to the model

In the “manufacturing view”, the user can add product information without affecting the engineering view. While the engineering view and manufacturing view are central, there are other functions that contribute to defining the product. Simulations from the ongoing development process and the display of annotations directly on the 3D screen are examples of these. Each view is a defining layer that together form the model-based definition. A view is therefore also referred to as a definition.

Figure 2: Engineering view

The introduction of model-based definition also offers advantages from a technical perspective. The new data structure supports multi-CAD, allowing users to view or modify CAD data regardless of the CAD software they are using.

Currently, supported software include CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, and CREO. The efficiency with which data is loaded and processed is also significantly higher, allowing you to load a complete 3D view in the browser within seconds.

Companies will need some time to transition their processes to model-based definition. However, the advantages are clear. CAD data and project information are managed systematically, are available throughout the entire company, and can be visualized. This reduces the risk of errors, increases efficiency, and ensures higher quality at lower costs.