Digital Mock-Up Methods

Lecture 5 Warren Hall

The role of 3D Mock-Up

Digital Mock-Up is latest innovation in digital product development
allows full visualization of complete product in 3 dimensions Permits collaborative engineering as all users can see other users work as it evolves improves error detection by locating clashes / interference's earlier in process

Evolution of the mock-up

Mock-up development began with introduction of 3D modeling First mock-ups were created using one huge model with all parts included Very poor performance due to model size With development of multi-model sessions one session was used to position several models had to copy session for more than one user data integrity issues now implemented using relational databases

Digital Mock-Up
A digital mock-up is
a collection of 3D models which are positioned in 3D space to represent the form of the product to be developed

Digital Mock-Up
All geometry is accessed via the database
models may be in database or pointed to by the database

Each model is attached to a part in the product structure (BOM)

Mock-Up Schema
Digital Mock-Up

Mock-Up Database

Bill of Material (Assembly Structure & positioning)

Geometry

Role of The Master Model

Not all representation types are used in the digital mock-up The 3D master model is the model which is used to build the 3D mock-up
represents prime 3D definition of part at Bombardier this is the structural model at PWC this is the PDS model

Derivative Representation Types

Positioning applies to all models attached to a part although mock-up is almost always constructed using master model one can build a mock-up from other rep types for specific purposes
FEM rep types for simulation contact analysis

Basic Mock-up Methodology

Basic steps to creating a mock-up
1. Create the parts 2. Create the Bill of Material structure 3. Attach the models to the parts 4. Position the models to create the mock-up

Parts must be created within their context and at their final position
the latest surrounding geometry must be easily retrievable

One Part per Model

Key methodology in implementing BOM driven mock-up In order to observe the structure of the BOM, a geometrical (CATIA) model should contain the definition for only one part
For initial designs of parts, they may be included in layout models. They can later be exploded to detail parts within the BOM structure

Better structure and simplified management of information enables part re-usability

One Part per Model Methodology

A part is a collection of specific attributes CATIA models also have attributes
name, representation type, etc.

A model must be attached to a part A part does not necessarily have a model attached to it

Exceptions - System Software

In certain cases there are exceptions to one part per model methodology Decision to make exception must be carefully weighed
Gains vs. Losses

Within CATIA environment systems Software (Electrical Wire Bundle, Tubing) is one such exception

Exceptions
To maintain intelligence of systems software all elements (I.E. wiring harnesses and supports) must be in the same model
this automates re-routing with automatic support placement

If one part per model methodology implemented intelligence would be lost

Results in net loss of productivity

Exceptions
Methodology to document exception must be developed
One possible solution is to store wiring harness model data at assembly level Parts at sub-assembly level that should hold connectors, etc. have no models attached

Exceptions
Graphically following OPPM methodology
Harness Assembly

Harness Part

Support Part

Support Part

Support Part

Support Part

CATIA CATIA Model Model

CATIA Model

CATIA Model

CATIA Model

Exceptions
Graphically, alternative methodology
CATIA model containing harness & supports

Harness Assembly

Harness Part

Support Part

Support Part

Support Part

Support Part

NOTE: No models attached at part level

Associating a Model to a Part

To insert geometry in the database the model must be attached to a part General methodology
Using the VPM part object create the part in the proper environment (CAMAQENV) Start CATIA and make the desired model active select the model object in VPM

Associating a Model to a Part

General methodology - cont.
Click on the SAVE icon complete the required fields in the panel select ok to save

NOTE
the part can be created at the same time the model is being saved

Associating a Model to a Part

Associating Non-Geometric Data

Non-geometric data is associated to observe the concept of the part (specs, etc.) No relevance in digital mock-up context yet key to using BOM as data management tool VPM refers to non-geometric data as DOCUMENTS each document has an associated viewer used to view/edit (I.E. MS WORD)

Associating Non-Geometric Data

As with models data may be stored physically in the database or pointed to by the database yet must be accessed via the DB Some typical documents
FEM post processing results specs performance data

Associating Non-Geometric Data