Design costs are a significant element of the total cost of a one off part. It is, therefore, important to use systems that are efficient and concentrate the designers' time on quality. The 3D design software packages used within JFN comprise the following:
These software packages provide good visualisation of components and assemblies and also provide full bidirectional associativity between part model, assembly model, detail manufacturing and/or assembly drawing(s) and simulation/analysis models for mechanisms and structure. Creation of the 3D model in one of the above packages has now become the normal starting point for the design process and the further development of the initial design may be undertaken at the model level.
These packages will also import solid models from other modelling packages, such as PTC's Pro/ENGINEER, thereby allowing further development of existing design models where practicable.
The design packages also maintain strict version control and facilitate collaborative working, even between different sites, on the same assemblies. The design control features of the Vault system ensure that only a single designer can make changes to items when "checked out" to them and any changes they make that affect other designers' work are automatically notified. These measures ensure that all the subsequent design, analysis and even manufacture information is derived from the same source part model.
From the design point of view there is no longer a technical requirement to produce 2D drawings until the detail design has been completed and final manufacturing drawings are required. The production of 2D General Arrangement drawings is now only undertaken generally to service customer requirements. All 2D drawings are automatically generated from the 3D solid models and can be provided in a variety of formats including specific formats suitable for upload directly into a customer's drawing registry system.
The 3D software packages identified above have been found to cater for the majority of the industry requirements which JFN has been required to service. However, where customer specific requirements are demanded, JFN is willing to work with the customer to satisfy such requirements.
Although the 3D modelling packages themselves incorporate a limited analysis capability, external packages are employed to deliver further capability.