This past April, I shared the blog A Quick Look at Manufacturer and Supplier Collaboration. This post looked at the broad range of capabilities that existed on the platform for OEM Supplier scenarios. In this post, we will explore a more specific topic within that process:
What tools OEM designers and non-designers on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform use to interact with suppliers. 

Each CAD application we are discussing here has their own unique abilities to expose design data directly from the active CAD session. For this discussion, we focus on web-based applications available to designers and other stakeholders through roles. I am focusing on these tools because designers working with other stakeholders often handle the sharing of data with suppliers.

As a reminder, Dassault Systèmes provides management of the following CAD solutions:

• Native: 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA  on premise and on cloud solutions
• xApps: SOLIDWORKS cloud-based design solutions
• CATIA V5: CATIA V5 design environment managed by the platform
• xCAD: Other file-based Mechanical CAD (MCAD) and Electronic CAD (ECAD) Solutions  managed by  the platform

In the following example, the OEM works in a hybrid environment. 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA manages the structure of the product and most subassemblies are created using CATIA V5, SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk® Inventor®.

Let us consider interaction with four suppliers – each with a single CAD environment using SOLIDWORKS, CATIA V5, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE and Solid Edge® respectively. The interaction itself, generally takes two forms:

• Direct data interaction through the platform where you login to a controlled space of the OEM platform and work with shared OEM data directly
• Sharing of data through file exchange

I will focus on the latter approach where the movement of data between the two parties is limited to importing and exporting content between the OEM and supplier. Here, there is no interaction between the development processes or business models of the two companies.

The following process shows the basic steps within the overall exchange process that are pertinent to the exchange of data …

The platform tools Dassault Systemes offers that handle the export and import of product structures vary across the CAD solutions due to the uniqueness of each modeling solution. 3DEXPERIENCE platform roles are required to access the applications for each of the CAD solutions.

With this in mind, let’s look at the platform roles and applications provided to the OEM for interaction with the supplier for each CAD solution.

The non-designer stakeholder, can use “derived output” independently of the CAD environment. The derived output format is based on the preferences set by the designer in the CAD session or by the administrator of the platform and offers a number of formats that vary between the CAD solutions. Derived output is automatically created by the platform and linked  to every product created by one of the MCAD or ECAD integrations. An example is the Collaborative Designer for Inventor role. Each of the CAD integration roles also includes the Derived Format Converter application. Any stakeholders with a CAD integration role can use it to create derived output independent of the CAD session.

Non-designer stakeholders can export any of the derived output formats using the Collaborative Industry Innovator role. Derived output is only available for parts so you must share multiple parts if context is required by the supplier.

Some of the platform tools available for exchange are specific to the OEM’s CAD environment.

SOLIDWORKS

• Within the Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS role, you can create “data exchange packages” using Import and Export commands. Data exchange commands are available in the Tools tab of the MySession window of the CAD session. Here, you can create a data exchange package from a SOLIDWORKS assembly or from a SOLIDWORKS part saved to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. A supplier can modify any CAD files that have an editable status. For assemblies, you can add and remove components. The import commands reference and prompt you to add required references to the package when the OEM attempts to import the modified package. These tools also offer extended abilities beyond the simple exchange scenario that we are discussing here for migration and coexistence scenarios.

3DEXPERIENCE CATIA

• Exchange Management tools are available to import and export content including CATIA V5, 3DXML, CATIA Composer, IGES, STEP and SOLIDWORKS providing single component or assembly context for exchange. These tools also offer extended abilities beyond the simple exchange scenario that we are discussing here for migration and coexistence scenarios. You need the Mechanical Designer role to use this capability.
• For the flow of data from the supplier to the OEM, converter roles, such as Converter for Inventor, are used. You can import geometry as a representation for design review, digital mockup review, design in context and manufacturing. Exact geometry can also be imported allowing users to apply converted data within 3DEXPERIENCE applications for design, simulation and manufacturing activities. Converters are available for many data types including the CAD systems supported. Conversion to a 3DEXPERIENCE representation is stored as a new part or product. These behaviors and characteristics are consistent across all the available converters. You need the Mechanical Designer role for 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA to use this capability.

CATIA V5

• Exchange Management tools are available to import and export content in IGES, STEP or SOLIDWORKS native format providing single component or assembly context on exchange.
• For the designer, Collaborative Designer for CATIA V5 offers the ability to interact with different versions of CATIA V5 expanding your ability to support your supplier network.

Summary:

The platform expands the possible ways you can establish interactive development processes with your suppliers who participate in your design process while providing the ability to use your resources better when engaging your suppliers.