3D CAD Data Cleanup and Repair: Preliminary Files Upgraded To Release File Status
CAD data or Computer Aided Design data simply refers to the electronic file information created and used by various CAD / CAM programs for the design and manufacturing of certain types of mechanical and plastic injection molded products. For the purposes of this discussion there will be two main types of data which will be addressed. The first type of data is called "native" data which simply means the electronic file information created, saved and retrieved or maintained within the authoring CAD program. The other type of data is called "export" or translation data which is utilized by other versions of the parent program or different systems altogether which must be translated and then imported into the retrieving programs. There is also a distinction between what industry professionals call "development data" and "manufacturing data" which will be the focus of this discussion. The term "Data Cleanup" becomes necessary in the case of development vs manufacturing data whenever there is a need to alter CAD data in such a way as to optimize it for use by prototype makers and manufacturers of the end product. Product designs are typically authored within the 3D CAD program environments some of which include systems like Pro Engineer and Solidworks. Products are usually developed in phases which generally include a concept and or prototype development phase and a final phase in manufacturing and often containing several intermediate phases along the way. At any given phase of development, a 3D CAD database usually serves as the formal record for managing changes to the product as the design goes through stages of refinement. A good product development process is one that incorporates dialogue and feedback with prospective suppliers and manufacturers of the end product. The majority of product development issues typically arise when there is a disconnection between what a designer had hoped to achieve within the areas of form, fit and function and what can be done realistically in manufacturing. Often times, product developers in an attempt to cut costs will employ lower level service providers and purported 3D CAD designers only to realize at the manufacturing stage that the 3D CAD database they have paid to develop is insufficient for manufacturing purposes. This problem is quite common with plastic injection molded parts. There are some very specific design rules which are required to successfully design plastics for high volume production. The molds that are used to produce these parts can be very expensive ranging up to a quarter of a million dollars and finding the right 3D CAD development service provider is imperative. 3D CAD Data Cleanup is typically employed when a manufacturer has requested design changes necessary to make the product moldable and the author of the 3D CAD database is unequipped to process such changes. This inability can be the result of either unfamiliarity with the CAD program functions or a lack of experience designing the types of parts that are required to successfully manufacture the product.