Process consistency with Model Based Enterprise

Everyone thinks development and manufacturing departments already work only in 3D. In reality, 2D drawings are still leading when it comes to product and manufacturing information specification. Currently, the 3D model is usually only the representation of the nominal geometry description. 2D drawings are then derived from this 3D geometry, from the 3D model. These are in turn supplemented with tolerance information and surface details. Thus, one has two separate information carriers, edited separately, which can be a cause of data discrepancy. 3D CAD modeling has been used since the 1990s, but a 2D drawing is still being used for specifications.

With today's revolutionary technologies provided by Siemens and JANUS Engineering, the design and specification process can be totally integrated and encapsulated into one single data source.

Model-Based-Enterprise (MBE) is a term from the design and manufacturing industry. MBE describes a strategy in which the 3D model of a product serves as the authoritative source of information for all activities in the life cycle of this product. This is also referred to as the "single point of truth", which describes it more clearly. The claim behind this is to maintain a generally valid, complete, targeted and reliable data model, from which everything else can be derived.

This model is called Model-Based Definition (MBD). The production of a complete digital definition of a product within a 3D model that replaces the traditional drawing.

Functionally, this means providing information consistently and efficiently for the NX CAM manufacturing process, the NX AM heat treatment and coating process or for the NX CMM quality process. Thus, information from the previous CAD drawing, directly attached to the 3D model in form of PMI. Dimensional tolerances, shape, surface finish, and position tolerances (Geometrical Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)), surface details, material properties and other non-geometric information are directly attached to the geometry element, for example a hole, of the 3D model.

This downstream use throughout the entire manufacturing process is often referred to as Model-Based Manufacturing (MBM) and in the quality process as Model-Based Quality (MBQ). This model-based, digital, real-time continuity between product development, production engineering and manufacturing processes is a fusion of technologies that characterizes the Industry 4.0: you really access the digital twin of the actual product in the virtual space. Model Based Definition blurs the boundaries between the physical, digital, and organic worlds, which together are also referred to as cyber-physical models.