Top 10 Use Cases for CAD Interoperability
The product development process involves collaboration between multiple teams
and shared data from various software applications. Error-free interoperability is
critical. But when do you need interoperability?
Changing your design and manufacturing CAD software
Every engineering organization must decide on the best CAD software to satisfy their
design and manufacturing needs. It is a complex decision that involves engineering tools,
collaboration capabilities, and data management. Existing engineering teams often face
these choices when transitioning to new CAD software or standardizing on one platform
after an acquisition.
Learning to work with 2D and 3D CAD together
For over twenty years, companies have realized the benefits of migrating their
legacy 2D drawings to 3D models. The list of reasons why is long, including better
collaboration, virtual testing, and 3 to 5-axis machining capabilities to name a
few. Most companies have also realized the benefits of using both 2D and 3D CAD
software together. In those cases, it’s important that your data remains fully
associative between your applications.
Bringing your data together after an acquisition
Changing CAD software can be challenging, and it is often necessary to standardize
engineering teams on one platform. In the past this required CAD software to translate
the data from one application to another.
Changing your design and manufacturing CAD software
Every engineering organization must decide on the best CAD software to satisfy their
design and manufacturing needs. It is a complex decision that involves engineering tools,
collaboration capabilities, and data management. Existing engineering teams often face
these choices when transitioning to new CAD software or standardizing on one platform
after an acquisition.
Over the past few years, CAD companies have developed new technologies that
enable you to open files from other CAD applications without error-prone translation and the 3D model remains associative when changes are made.
Collaboration from start to finish
The product development process commonly involves collaboration between multiple teams
inside and outside your organization. This includes shared data between various software
applications. It is critical that 3D models and metadata maintain accuracy and are free of
errors as the product development process moves forward.
Using supplier data in your designs
It is ideal when you and your suppliers use the same CAD software, but what if you are
using something different? If you are using the latest version, then you are probably
able to open native file types from other CAD systems. Otherwise, you may find
yourself searching for the most accurate and error-free method of translating
3D models provided by the supplier.
Making custom products for your customer
All organizations need to protect their intellectual property. How can that be
done when it’s time to share your 3D models with your customers? You need
capabilities that enable you to develop a simplified version of your model that can
be created quickly, and the process needs to be repeatable so that work doesn’t
have to be done all over again when sending a new version of the design.
People who need your model to do their job
Many of the tools that are used for downstream applications are integrated
in the CAD system. However, there are times when collaboration involves highly
specialized tools that can only be accomplished in separate software.
Participating in BIM projects
Companies that are looking to get spec’d into building projects require tools
that help them to turn their designs into digital assets that architects need.
Architects are looking for mechanical engineering organizations to design and
manufacture custom structures for their building projects. The design requires all
the details for production as well as an efficient approach toward simplification
and export of a Revit family project.
Create quotes for customers
As customers send their data for new projects, it is important that you can read
it in without errors or missing information to generate an accurate quote.
Aggregate all 3D data into one file for internal and external collaboration
There are some projects that require a massive amount of data from multiple
teams from different disciplines. The aggregation of 3D mechanical designs,
the building, HVAC, and point cloud will save time and money as you avoid
costly interferences and schedule installation of equipment.
Take measurements virtually from the 3D model
Collaborating with others or simply walking to the shop floor to take measurements
can be a time-consuming task. Access to the data, whether it is in the form of a
3D model or point cloud enables you to measure everything from your desk or
even your mobile device.
