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Expanding the Use and Benefits of Pro/ENGINEER Models

Pro/E: The Right Tool for the Right People The benefits of parametric, feature-based modeling and associative drawings for the mechanical design team are clear. Manufacturers using Pro/E as their primary CAD solution have experienced an increase in productivity and faster time-to-market. The use of these 3D models in downstream

Putting CAD models to work for you

Does this sound familiar? A deadline for a design review is rapidly approaching. You are pushing to finish the Pro/ENGINEER® model, working late nights and weekends. The design meets all of the functional requirements; however, you have not received confirmation from analysis or manufacturing (who are as much as half a world away) specifying whether the design meets their respective requirements. Manufacturing is working from the drawings and the Pro/E® model that you provided, using the model in a view-only mode. Analysis uses the Pro/E model in conjunction with their analysis application. As the deadline approaches, the stress engineer responds that the model is too complex for their analysis needs. It will take too long to create the mesh in his finite-element analysis tool. The engineer requests that you simplify the model by removing certain features and cutting away symmetrical areas. He identifies the changes by redlining a drawing. You estimate at least a day of work, all for a version of the model that will be thrown away. Just as you begin modifying the model as specified by the analyst, manufacturing reports that the preliminary design does not meet their cost objectives. They suggest modifications to accommodate existing tooling and have marked up a drawing with the suggested changes. Upon initial review, it appears that the requested changes may conflict with each other. The proposed draft angles may be impossible given the geometry. You have little time to verify and quickly respond to manufacturing so they have enough time to consider alternative options. The problem is compounded by the fact that they are across the globe and you need to send them additional questions to clarify their requests. Just as you are finishing the detail design, the principle engineer comes by and wants to change one of the components. He sits down and directs you to make various changes to the model to try out his concepts. The changes require you to redefine some features, change multiple parameters, and regenerate the model. All of this takes time. The results show that the “idea” wasn’t so good, so he directs you to try a few other concepts. A half day is spent. You want and need contributions from across the product development team. Too often the process requires spending time deciphering ambiguous design input or creating many different versions of the model to address the requests of those in the process who don’t have access to or experience with Pro/E; or having them line up at your door asking you to make the changes for them. Wouldn’t it be easier to send them the Pro/E model to allow them to investigate their ideas and address their needs on their own? This allows them to evaluate as many iterations as needed, without you acting as their geometry “editor.” They can then communicate back to you with an unambiguous 3D design recommendation, which you can then update once in your Pro/E model.