A long request for help - changing CAD tools

*****BEWARE - This is a long drawn out request for help***********

I recently started a new job where they use IDEAS as the CAD tool of
choice. Although they have this powerful tool, they do not use the 3D
modeling aspect of it. They claim that it was not needed. So what they
have is a lot of drawings with no model behind it. Some of the
engineers are just starting to get into the modeling portion but there
is no real library of part or assemblies that have been completed. I do
not think the engineers really have a good sense of how to model with
the tool since they have been repeatedly told to not use their AutoCAD
software.

Because many of our customers (95%) use Catia, we have a few licenses
on hand to read in their files into IDEAS and create DXF files. They
really do not have a good handle on 3D IGES, STEP or Parasolid files.

So, I have been told that since I am new and "bring fresh new ideas" I
can make some suggestions as to how to go forward. My first suggestion
is to go start looking for a mid-range modeler since the designs can
easily be done in that type of tool. I am going to suggest SolidWorks
for several reasons:

A) I'm biased to this tool

B) Ramp up time

C) Opportunity to package it with PDMworks, since they have no PDM
system at this time

D) Price vs. Catia or IDEAS - To that point, does anyone know what a
seat of IDEAS costs? This would be a bare bones version, with modeling
and drafting capabilities and maybe some FEA. I know the first thing
going to be asked is $$$$$?????

E) Most of customers have Catia and from what I have read in some other
threads Dassault has a translator ImpactXoft (sp?) that works well
between these two packages.

F) Many of the vendors we have already use SolidWorks and working with
them would be much easier.

G) Finding experienced IDEAS CAD users in this area is not easy. They
seem to gather around the Michigan (automotive) and Washington State
(airplane) design centers. The company I am working for is a supplier
to the airplane industry.

H) It reads directly into another tool that we use extensively called
Lectra. This would help out tremendously.

I really do not want to debate the pros and cons of SolidWorks vs.
other tools. What I would like to have is some help in putting together
some type of presentation to show the head of engineering to convince
him to even look at making a change.

Any ideas where to start on this?

Anybody have the opportunity to make a presentation to change culture
at there place of employment?

Any help would be appreciated


Rich D.

 

Analysis Points to Recognize & Learn About:

1. You are in aircraft industry and that sets a major trend with CNC
jobs being near universal.
2. Suppliers use Catia & SolidWorks...Unigraphics
3. Customer uses Catia...
4. Virtually all CNC processes including Rapid Prototyping today need
3D solids to be in existance to create the CNC toolpaths easily, so if
speed counts...
5. Assessing assembly design viability and clearances in 2D leads to
lots of errors, and LOTS of time, compared to 3D solids.
6. Stress and flow analysis built in to SolidWorks (or as high-end
add-ins) can lead to better design decisions before the design is
committed to first parts.
7. Collaboration both internally and then external to your company is
far easier with 3D solids.
8. Non-CAD literate managers, sales, and manufacturing people can make
excellent use of 3D solids review using eDrawings without any real
training.
9. Bills of Material are a lot easier inside of a 3D CAD assembly.
10. Eliminating just a few mistakes in 3D, can save large sums of $s,
if not even a customer.
11. Sheet metal is a heck of a lot easier in 3D...& less prone to
errors.
12. PDM will pay dividends.

But...it takes comittment to do the training & implement it all.
Hiring a SolidWorks Cert. Professional might make a lot of sense.

Bo

 

are you sure about H)?

 

Bo:
Thx for the input and I agree with you on the points mentioned. I
replied with ******preceding my comments.

Thx Again

Rich

*********BoC wrote********
Analysis Points to Recognize & Learn About:

******** I can use that as a selling point. UG is not really used by
our vendors much.

*********They never have sent 3D solid information to the vendor. The
usually sent a drawings only and maybe some DXF files. Don't
ask........

*********I think they are staing to realize this themselves.

********** Correct, and already mentioned to them.

********** Correct, and already mentioned to them.

********** Correct, and already mentioned to them.

**********Since we ned to have BOMs and drawings tree assemblies
created this will help.

********** Also gets the job done quicker because you are not checking
your drawings for every single little dimension. The 3D solid has much
of the information embedded.

***********They were using an archaic method to lay out the sheetmetal
patterns sent to the supplier. I almost fainted when shown what they
do.

***********Definitely. Presently there is no way to tie all the work
together besides have many eyes checking.

 

According to Lectra's website and informational brochure located at the
link below this is true.

http://www.lectra.com/binaries/designconcept_techtex_industrial_fabrics_pdf_tcm27-56638.pdf

Additonal information is given about the the translator with CATIA is
located here

http://www.lectra.com/en/industrial...industrialfabrics_3d_catia_v5_translator.html


Rich

 

Here in the Toronto area, there are many companies that design and sell
parts to the auto industry. They are all fored to use I-deas, Catia,
and UG by their clients. Most of them around here also use SolidWorks
for internal drawings.
One of the reasons I believe, is that SolidWorks shares data with other
CAD systems so well. When we were looking, we found many CnC shops and
protoype shops we dealt with were using SolidWorks for this same
reason.
Brad

 

OK I see that import of native SW files is listed on p5 of the PDF.

Looking at the optional Catia translator info though I think the file
extensions are different.
SW handles Catia as .cgr in/out - dumb parts for viewing...

BTW sorry if I underestimated your enterprise in your last post - I thought
you had a one off issue you wanted a soln for - we do our best to be helpful
here )

Next time I pass the local company I will drop in a copy of the Lectra PDF.
They could sure use something like this...

 

Rich,
I would recommend that you call your local UGS rep. Since Ideas is a
UGS product, you could probably get an upgrade deal on either NX or Solid
Edge. Both products have some ability to read in Ideas data. Lectra will
also read Solid Edge native files, and if you need to continue with your 2D
workflow for some reason, Solid Edge's 2D environment is very good. It will
also read/write Catia model files.

Ken

 

John:

The points you mentioned are good but here are my viepoints on the
matter

#1 - I-Deas is being merged with Unigraphics NX - Again, the company
uses the tool in the same way that most people use AutoCAD. Their is
very little in the way of models. Quite often I see people create the
model and export it out as a DXF file so that it is "easier" to work
with. They then throw away the model. I am not really concerned about
loosing data in IDEAS.

#2 Data Managment - I have seen PDMWorks in use before and have not had
a problem with it. IDEAS does have a strong data management system but
it only handles IDEAS files. I would want to put all electronic data in
this system and use it as a central repository for documentation.

#3 - I-DEAS has some of the best (if not THE best) analysis tools you
can buy - If they used this tool, that would be a good argument. But,
A) they really do not use it, and B) I could get the Cosmos in
SolidWorks Office Professional package . I can find users out of
college who have more exposure to this mush easier than the Nastran FEA
package in IDEAS.

#4 - Solidworks doesn't have data management - As mentioned, I would
look prefer to go after the SolidWorks Office Professional package,
which includes PDMWorks built in.

#5 - I-Deas has first-rate 2D draughting capabilities - Now here is a
point that I agree with you on. Because there are so much 2D drafting
(sorry, I spell it the way of the Colonies) Solidworks may cause some
heartache with the people trying to make quick 2D representation. If I
can get the 2D drawings out of the equation, I probably can avoid this
problem.

BTW, I just found out that resellers who represent UGS have been poking
around where I work a couple of months ago trying to sell solidEdge.
they pretty much had the same arguments I have outlined. Since they
were from the outside, they were not received to well. they were given
about an hour to explain their point. I was at another job at that time
so I did hear their pitch. I know that they will probably be coming
back very soon making another go at it. If I was here when they came
around the first time, I would have agreed with them, begrudgingly.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Your points helped

Rich