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Solid Edge PMI Functionality and Visualization

Norman CrawfordApplied Geometrics, Inc.

GD&T Instructor / ConsultantGDTP S-0386

Norm.Crawford@GDandT.com740-505-2079

Dimensional Management & PMI SIG Leader

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What This Presentation Is About

Another Tool for the Overall 3D Dimensional Management Process to be Considered Across Functional Groups

Being Aware - PMI availability in Solid Edge

How the SE PMI is Visualized in Teamcenter Visualization

What works well?

Opportunities for Improvement

Consideration for Overall PMI implementation into the future as use of 2D drawings continue to decline.

A movement towards culture change in the supplier and small to mid-range OEM companies.

Short Notes about the ASME Y14.41 Standard

What this presentation is NOT about

Not about Solid Edge PMI “competing” with NX or I-DEAS PMI

Not about NX PMI competing with I-DEAS PMI

Not Intended to Demonstrate All of the Solid Edge PMI Functionality

First: How Does It Look?Pretty Good!

ASME Y14.41 – Extension Line Not Allowed in Axonometric View

But Allowed in an Orthographic View.

This Rule “Reduces” Efficiency of 3D Annotation By Causing More Then One “Valuable” Instance of a Dimension to Be Created in Attempt to Please Everyone?!

Another View Looking Pretty Good

Note the Option for Type of Diameter Dimension

Basic Dimensions Not Needed in 3D Annotation But Shown to Demonstrate the Option

A Minor Graphic Issue with Material Modifiers when FCFs are Associated with a Dimension.

NOT Associated to the Size Dimension

Some of the PMI InterfaceSetting a Dimension Plane is Easy

Present Plane Shown in GreenNew Selection in Yellow

Note that Planes of a Coordinate System Can be Selected

Planes of Features are Also Selectable

Datum Feature Symbols are Very Intuitive and Properties are Available on the Fly

Note the Present Dimension Plane is Displayed for Reference

Types of Dimension Text Are Readily Available

Would like to See Datum Feature Symbol “A” Clipped by the Solid.

Would Like the Surface of the Hole to be Selectable.

Same SmartDimension Icon Can Create Three Different Diameter Dimension Types

There is a Technique to Getting the Arrows Inside the Circle

Note Multiple Instances of Datum Feature B Symbol.

The Different Displays Can Be Controlled with Model Views

Dialogue Box for Feature Control Frames is Easy to Use

Some Issues with Query and A Composite FCF Associated with A Dimension

The FEATURED Hole Should Also Highlight Per Y14.41

Unrelated Feature Control Frame Appears Correct with the FRTZF (Lower Tier) is on the Bottom as the Orientation and Feature Related Refinement

Related FCF

A Work Around for Creating an Associated FCF That Appears Correct on the Model

The Preview Shows How The Refinement of a Double Single Segment FCF Can Be Place on Top in the Dialogue Box.

Double Single Segment is Associated and with the Typical Appearance

The Same Workaround Works for a Composite FCF.

Creating Model Views

Modifying Which Dimensions and Annotation Appear in Model Views is Simple

Apply/Display Another View Utilizing Different Dimension Instances

There is Plenty of Display Versatility.

Note the Dot Leaders Per ASME Y14.41

The Extension Line on Datum Feature C is NOT per ASME Y14.41 for “This” View

Translating to JT FormatThere is a Unit Translation Issue

When in Inches, Keep the Units as Yards

I Don’t Know Why! It’s Not My Fault!

Translating to JT FormatThere is a Unit Translation Issue

When in Millimeters, Keep the Units as Meters

I Still Don’t Know Why, and It’s Still Not My Fault!

There Are Some Display Issues in JTModel Views DO Translate

Loss of “Dot” Leader

Loss of Filled in Dot

Mirrored Dimensions

And “Associated” FCFs

Model Views

Radial Dimension is a “Callout” in SEStacked FCF IS Associated Without the Previous Workaround of Reversing Tiers

There is a Workaround for Mirrored Display in JT

The “Callout” with Associated FCFAppears Correct

The Shifted Location of Leader Still Exists.

This May Be Due to the Unit Translation Issue?

Selected PMI Does Highlight

In The PMI Tree

Here is Yet Another Workaround!

Design in Inches

Before translating to JT, change SE Units to MM

Keep JT Translation Units as Meters (Shown Earlier)

In Teamcenter Visualization, set “Display Units” to Inches.

Note The Hole Size Has Been Corrected

Be Careful to Use Correct Units!

Notice The Leader Dot is Corrected and No Shift in Dimension Location When in Metric Units

Existing Dimensions

DO NOT Update

Be Careful

So, SE PMI is Not Perfect, But It Is a Useful Start!

It Seems that the First Useful Fix to Several Issues within JT is a Unit Translation Issue. Anybody Land a Mars Mission Lately?

There is an extensive list of enhancement suggestions that I am assembling.

Many suggestions come from experience in I-DEAS PMI and PMI & Embedded GD&T in NX.

The Main Take Away is That with a Little Thought, Workarounds Can Be Found.

There is Huge Benefit for PMI to Look and Act Similar Among Systems within the JT Format

But, PMI Does NOT Have to Be Exactly the Same

Remember What I-DEAS PMI Looks Like?

Mirrored Text in JT Too!

But Easy to Fix!

Quick Text Fix and Highlighting Associative Features

NX4 PMI – Also Has Text FixDoes Not Highlight Features

Has Some Downstream Analysis - NX5, NX6?

NX Also Has the Embedded GD&T“SmartModel”

Has Extensive Downstream Analysis

Some Notes on ASME Y14.41 - 2003

Already 5 Years Old, The Standard Is a Great Start!

However, It Needs a Detailed Public Review by 3D Annotation “Creators” to Determine the Need for Certain Requirements or Not.

As in any development of any standard, there are 100s, if not 1000s, of opinions.

I have mine; imagine that!

For Example, I don’t know why coordinate systems “must” be displayed to represent Datum Reference Frames. DRFs define coordinate systems.

Why “must” Datum Feature Symbols for Planar Features attach directly to the surface? No extension lines are allowed in Axonometric views, as shown in previous slides of this presentation as Datum Feature C.

Why “must” cutting planes be displayed? 3D CAD offers much better technology through Model Views and Configurations.

Why “must” leader lines end with the dot in most cases? This will result in slowing the process down or otherwise increase software development to keep the process automated and quick. What is the benefit?

Notes such as Number of Surfaces for a profile tolerance is again, non-value added, and perhaps should be optional. The query requirements force display of related features.

Queries require highlighting an associated coordinate system to the design specification. This is excessive software development. For Example, I don’t think I-DEAS, NX4 (5 or 6?), and definitely not SE demonstrate this ability. Where does this requirement come from and what is the value?

Some Notes on ASME Y14.41 - 2003

Summary

3D PMI Technology Continues to Make Progress

From Mid-Range to High End CAD Provides Flexibility and Scalability

The Time is Right to Mold New Dimensional Management Lifecycles to Take Full Advantage of 3D PMI During the Development of 3D PMI in the Siemens PLM Software Products!

The Low Hanging Fruit is Focusing on the USERS of PMI through the JT Format and Making the Visibility Consistent.

Summary

ASME Y14.41-2003 shows great leadership, but should have a detailed public review sooner not later to “help” with the next update.

Focus of Y14.41 needs to stay focused on value added requirements, which in general should be “less” then requirements placed on 2D drawings since 3D model visualization, by its very nature, is easier to understand. Lets not complicate it.

3D Annotation Does Not Need to Look Like 2D

Do Data Management Requirements Belong in Y14.41? Is it out of scope given PLM technology? Must all companies wanting to use Y14.41 own a Data Management System first?

Summary

There are many questions to ask and answers to be found.

Progress has been slow because of culture change.

But I see the change, and I see the progress!

Lets keep looking for how to make 3D Dimensional Management work even if it is one step at a time.

The Benefit?

Quality Products, Delivered Faster, at a Better Price

The Customers Deserve It!

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Thank you !

Norm CrawfordApplied Geometrics