If you’re a design engineer or product developer, you are probably familiar with model-based definition (MBD). For those who are not familiar, this is the practice of adding Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI) data directly to the 3D model. Traditionally, this type of data is added to a 2D drawing. One of the primary benefits of MBD is the elimination of the duplicate efforts of 2D drawing generation, update, and interpretation. MBD is a design technique that aims to make product design faster and more accurate. The primary goal for MBD is interoperability. To be “CAD/CAM/CAE agnostic” will improve downstream automation, collaboration across the systems within an enterprise and full transparency & traceability back to the 3D model.

The 3D Product Architect role’s primary purpose is to provide the ability to mockup new design alternatives without the need of CAD. This role also includes a powerful application for company’s implementing MBD processes – 3D Annotation Insight. This tool allows for the complete review of tolerancing data based on a 3D model. You can access the geometric specifications, which minimizes the need for the use of 2D drawing for the vast amount of the manufacturing process. Subsequently, 3D Annotation Insight offers the user of the 3D Architect role the added benefit - improved decision making when mocking up a design as architects can quickly review information pertinent to the use of a particular product in a new or evolving design.

Let’s review how 3D Annotation Insight can be quickly accessed within 3DEXPERIENCE

3D Annotation Insight offers the ability to filter through the various types of PMI date and expose surfaces and features that are associated to each piece of PMI data within a 3D Model. The platform also offers simple review access of PMI data to users with access to 3D Play without the aforementioned functionality. This additional level of access provides a broad level of access to users that may need to review this type of information during product development.