The multi-CAD environment of the automakers especially affects the survival of its suppliers. The tier-1 and tier-2 supplier base, for example, has to service everybody with design data; and they're getting slaughtered in the process.
That means having to deal with translating 3D data from all around the globe in the various computer-design systems like Catia, UG, Pro-E and others. That is a cost and time burden these suppliers can no longer afford.
Until a single CAD system does arrive for the auto industry, suppliers who have to work in this multi-CAD environment now have an interesting, intermediate option; a literal ace in their pocket besides the usual translators like IGES and STEP. It’s called TransMagic. Here is a video about their product represented by Caddit.net on You Tube:
Let the examination begin
The very fact this product exists is a telltale sign how burdensome multiple systems are to the auto suppliers. 3D modeling is the defacto way of life in the auto industry, because we live in a 3D world, and 3D data has to be reused in various stages of the manufacturing process. It's just rediculous when it comes in so many formats.
As noted, each automaker has its own preference. GM has UG, Chrysler, Toyota and Hyundai favor Catia, Ford like GM has more than one system in its buildings, and BAE Systems is Pro-Engineer. Suppliers, on the other hand, use them all including AutoCad, etc. That means, the data stream is not one way, as automakers must receive input files created from a variety of design systems within the supplier base.
The stumbling blocks are many with the multiple, proprietary formats of the automakers’ software. First, they are incompatible with each other. In my designer days, I used IGES and STEP translator files as an intermediate file just to move data from one application into another, and vice versa. It was not unusual to lose pieces of data in the translation.
I even moved studio files within the same company from ALIAS into UG in that manner. In fact, some industrial design files with a software like ALIAS must be translated; there is no other choice, until the industry agrees on a single system for design and engineering. One educator I share emails was of the opinion that Ford seems to have pushed the most to get design and engineering activities unto a single system. Personally, I'd like to hear from all of the majors.
TransMagic appears good for suppliers, because it reads proprietary CAD files in their native formats. (While the operative word is "read," I'm also concerned with "write.") That alone makes for higher data-read integrity, not to mention same-day implementation. Furthermore, the company touts the system is scalable, meaning suppliers can buy value-priced suites and add more capabilities at a later time.
At first I doubted whether this system would allow data to flow both ways (read and write), like a supplier model designed in Catia back into one of the automaker’s proprietary database like UG. So, I called the company’s sales office in Colorado, where I was assured their software would indeed perform such a "read/write" transaction.
Their website, however, did not indicate "write" for UG and Pro-E, only Catia. Perhaps it's a simple matter of updating their product guide. If true, that is truly good news, in my opinion; especially as it cleans the data, too. I invite the company to place a comment here for official clarity. (I emailed the link)
I still believe the industry lost something it once cherished – the sensibility to recognize the value of knowledge and design skill portability, let alone file portability. That means I still believe the auto industry needs to slim down its number of CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems to one.
Until that day comes, though, a product like TransMagic has to help auto suppliers better their profit margins and communicate more cleanly with the automakers.
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Late Editing Comment: SAE representative, Caroline Michaels, has posted a comment at the bottom of my previous CAD article, "How many CAD systems does Detroit's auto industry really need?"
I thank and applaud her offer to "facilitate the examination," and hope those of a willing heart will join this effort to study the possibility of a single CAD system along with common modeling practices for the auto industry. Individuals interested in participating in this examination may contact her at carolinemichaels@sae.org to express their interest to actively participate in this endeavor.
Comments
Frank,
You are repeating a dream that many engineers have had for decades - that of a unified 3D CAD format. There remain strong conferences on the issue, but sadly the problem remains to be solved.
As president of the CAD Society, I am aware that this is a subject that still comes up as one of the biggest barriers in 3D. Why? Because the developers ultimately do not want to conform even though they make small public efforts at times to deliver interoperability and pay lip service to the idea of interoperability.
I quote a comment made to me many years ago by one CAD CEO who said "Interoperability will occur when everyone [uses our CAD software]." That was an honest statement and also an indictment on the future of interoperability in CAD.
Don't forget to visit the CAD Society web site at www.cadsociety.org, and also do join the CAD Society Facebook group!
rachael
Frank, I’d like to take the opportunity to clarify the writing of data from TransMagic to Pro/E & UG/NX. For UG/NX TransMagic writes to the Parasolid *.x_t format. Parasolid is the native 3D geometry kernel upon which UG/NX is based and as such this is a native geometry format for UG/NX. Parasolid files come into UG/NX directly via File->Open just like a *.prt file would. For data exchange into Pro/E we intend on licensing the Granite kernel from PTC at a future date. Granite is the native 3D geometry kernel upon which Pro/E is based. The output format of Granite is the *.neu format (neutral) which is a native geometry format for Pro/E. However, for today, we recommend using the STEP output of TransMagic into Pro/E.
I should also mention that many engineering software systems are based on Parasolid such as SolidWorks, SolidEdge and numerous others. The Parasolid *.x_t format is a native geometry format for all of them. Likewise TransMagic writes to the ACIS *.sat format. ACIS is another industry standard 3D geometry kernel upon which numerous engineering software systems are based. The *.sat file format is a native geometry format for systems based on ACIS as well. In short writing to ACIS and Parasolid addresses a large number of engineering software systems natively. Finally, TransMagic offers other contemporary de facto standards for i/o such as the JT format.
Craig Dennis
CTO
TransMagic, Inc.
www.transmagic.com
Thank you for the article Frank - and I didn't even have to ask. I am thrilled that you are bringing this issue to light. 3D CAD data exchange is a difficult issue for anyone who has to exchange CAD files. There is so much wasted time and effort simple because companies can't literally see the waste. It is all in man hours and frustration.
TransMagic can make it easier and less of a burden. Anyone who wants to see for themselves can download a 7 day FREE trial at www.transmagic.com.
Ken Feitz
Marketing Manager
TransMagic
Please, this is the least of the current worries. Good project management, and basic communication will go much much further than one CAD system. And to say that one type of CAD is going to be an answer is ridiculous. Each CAD system has a strength to get something done that the others don't.
Well Ford Global is moving towards using CATIA and moving away from IDEA's but it will probably take another 5-6 years to have all there projects running ideas and probably another couple of years to completely clean out there product inventory managment system of all redundent parts. Their Product Inventory Systems is sooo freakin huge and soooo freakin complex and is entrenched in process after process(ON UNIX BOXES PEOPLE!) I don't envy the bloke who ends up being given the job of doing the IT transformation.
Information Update: Caddit.net also has a CADCAM blog worth adding to your favorites. Plug this in your URL: cadcam3d.blogspot.com/2009/02/transmagic-remains-key-in-design
What are the types of miters in UG /
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