CAD Data Exhange and CAD Standards

Abstract

Today, more companies than ever before are involved in manufacturing various parts of their end products using different subcontractors, many of whom are often geographically diverse. The rise of such global efforts has created the need for sharing information among vendors involved in multi-disciplinary projects. Transfer of data is necessary so that, for example, one organization can be developing a CAD model, while another performs analysis work on the same model; at the same time a third organization is responsible for manufacturing the product. Data transfer fills the need to satisfy each of these functions in a specific way. Accurate transmission is of paramount importance. Thus, a mechanism for good data transfer is needed. The CAD interoperability issue - using one CAD system in-house, yet needing to deliver designs to, or receive designs from, another system, poses a challenge to industries such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, heavy equipment, and high-tech original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers. It is worth studying the issue and determining how engineering model data is delivered today to manufacturers and suppliers, how CAD conversion, geometric translation, and/or feature-based CAD interoperability are handled, at what expense, and under whose authority. This chapter explores the various ways to make this vital transfer possible. The attention will be directed towards data exchange and standards for 3-D CAD systems. Since CAD data formats have a lot to do with CAD kernels that govern the data structure and therefore the data formats, some popular CAD kernels are discussed. The data interoperability section covers different types of data translations and conversions. The use of neutral or standardized data exchange protocols is one of the natural methods for data exchange and sharing. This topic is covered at the end of this chapter.