New route to the production of STL files for rapid prototyping

Citation

(2001), "New route to the production of STL files for rapid prototyping", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773eab.006

New route to the production of STL files for rapid prototyping

New route to the production of STL files for rapid prototypingKeywords: Theorem Solutions, Software, Data transmission

Theorem Solutions' Data exchange Navigator (DXN) data translation software was used during the design process of a major programme for leading aircraft engine designer and manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.

Data exchange Navigator software is described as allowing engineers to access and integrate product information from different CAD systems and STEP formats, as well as digitally inspect, evaluate and verify the data to determine precisely what needs converting. Allowing access to any associated attribute information, DXN integrates incoming information and highlights a hierarchical product breakdown.

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation, encountered assembly constraints when exchanging geographical data for a digital mock-up on one of its major engine programs. During the product development process, a Pratt & Whitney customer used a version of CADDS5 and add-on system EPD Connect for integrating and assembling components, while Pratt & Whitney engineers used UNIGRAPHICS software.

"Components were sent individually and due to the incompatibility between the two software systems, so the entire mock-up had to be manually re-assembled, one part at a time, into a single large file," said Pratt & Whitney CAD-system analyst, David Yamarik. "This data exchange problem required some of our engineers to spend additional hours attempting to re-create the assembly. A faster translation was necessary."

"We requested that our customer send the EPD Connect file, which outlined component placement, and then utilized Theorem's Data exchange Navigator to recreate the entire assembly. We also isolated components that failed to translate, and that resulted in faster problem resolution. With the automated translation process and improved problem interrogation on this particular program, we reduced overall translation time by 50 per cent."

Pratt & Whitney began working with Theorem's UK office 20 months ago during the development of DXN. The company's designers evaluated a prototype of the software for four months and provided Theorem with a final analysis. Their input helped Theorem's engineers enhance the product before its official release.

"We developed Data eXchange Navigator to support the reading and writing of structure, non-graphical attributes and geometry data for CADDS5, CATIA, I-DEAS, UNIGRAPHICS, and STEP AP203," stated Jerry McFeeters, Theorem Solutions, Inc. president.

Further details are available from Theorem Solutions. Tel: +44 (0) 1543 444455; Fax:: +44 (0) 1543 444454; E-mail: john@theorem.com