Best Practices for CAD Data Migration

Transcription

1 Best Practices for CAD Data Migration M a r c h 2011

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract... 3 Abbreviations... 4 Introduction... 5 Business Drivers for CAD Data Migration... 6 Data Migration Challenges... 7 Recommended Processes and Best Practices... 8 Options for CAD Data Translation Author Info... 13

3 Abstract To standardize the data and collaborate efficiently, OEMs are finding constant need for CAD data translation and data migration from one CAD system to another CAD system. There are multiple processes and standard tools available in the market to perform CAD data translation. However, migrating to a new CAD system requires in-depth analysis, preparation, complete understanding of the future needs, detailed planning, selection/development of right translation tools and strong management support. This white paper attempts to briefly describe the typical business drivers for CAD data translation, challenges for data migration, an overview and best practices to be followed for data migration, various translation options and their pros and cons. 3

4 Abbreviations Acronyms OEM PMI GD&T STEP IGES PLM API PoC OOTB SDK ROI Full form Original Equipment Manufacturer Product Manufacturing Information Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standard for the Exchange of Product model data (ISO 10303) Initial Graphics Exchange Specification Product Life Cycle Management Application Programming Interface Proof of Concept Out of the box Software Development Kit Return On Investment 4

5 Introduction In Today s scenario, the engineering departments in an enterprise are using multiple CAD systems and these are required to collaborate internally with other departments/divisions and with external suppliers and partners. In addition, there are business requirements of data standardization at some times. These are some of the key drivers demand for efficient CAD data translation and migration. Detailed planning, analysis, selection and prioritization of the data are some of key parameters for successful data migration. It is important to try to establish the value of the data that is considered for conversion and the scope of that effort. CAD data translation and migration from one system to other system is increasingly difficult based on the volume of data, quality and complexity. Automation of data translation and validations at each step helps to achieve higher ROI. 5

6 Business Drivers for CAD Data Migration Following list captures some of the critical drivers because of which the native CAD data is to be converted from one format to another - Heterogeneous CAD environment in an enterprise OEMs often use multiple CAD systems / applications by different groups, but still need to collaborate while assembling the product. For example, CAB group in an OEM uses CATIA for CAB design and Engine group uses ProE for engine design in the same organization and both these groups has to collaborate their designs along with vehicle group for vehicle integration. Supplier Collaboration Generally suppliers would be working with multiple OEMs and these OEMs would be using different CAD applications. Suppliers have to covert the native CAD files shared by OEMs to their preferred CAD system in their environment. Similarly, OEMs are required to translate the supplier s CAD data to their preferred data formats for integration aspects. Strategic Initiative : CAD platform standardization ex: standardization initiative at an enterprise level, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), etc Strategic Initiative : Migrating to new CAD platform Data translation to light weight / visualization formats to share design data with downstream agencies 6

7 Data Migration Challenges Following are some of the challenges, choices and tradeoffs are to be considered Understanding of the legacy CAD data & as-is processes Inconsistent design practices across the engineering groups Understanding of data usage scenarios in the target system Functional differences between CAD systems Multiple data representations, software versions and revisions Quality of the legacy CAD data Quality of translated data and manual updates to complete in the target system Higher cost of standard (OOTB) translation tools Longer lead time of overall process Conversion of 2D and paper drawings to 3D Adoption of users to new CAD platform the current user teams with their industry specific domain knowledge are put in practice to the existing CAD tools over years and this is to be addressed 7

8 Recommended Processes and Best Practices The following two aspects are to be considered while performing migration from one CAD system to another Custom CAD Application migration Data Migration Adoption of users to new CAD platform Custom CAD Application Migration The current design practices and processes are to be thoroughly studied which includes the implemented custom design/business processes in the source CAD application and design automations, etc. The customizations using API/SDK based in the source system are to be recreated if the target system does not provide those functionalities. The automations/analysis codes along with business processes could be reused while implementing in the target CAD system. Data Migration The diagram in figure -1 depicts the overview of CAD data migration programs and highlighting some of the steps which are potential for automation. Migration process is broadly divided into the following four phases Initiation this phase involves defining high level strategy & goals, formation of core team and project kick-off, etc Planning some of the activities in this phase are as-is study, requirement definition and analysis, scope definition, high level project plan, prioritization of the data and identifying pilot requirements, etc. Pilot/Preparation Core PoC is to be developed and performed with sample data, the tools are to be extended further to other use cases and tested. Based on the quality of as-is data, data cleansing is to be considered. Translated data is be validated and tested in the target CAD systems. This phase helps to identify any other processes / tools to be developed and detailed planning will be carried. Production data extraction from source system, data cleansing, data conversion and validation are the important 8

9 steps which will be carried and tested with 2-3 dry runs before performing production update. Data mastering into PLM system is also be required for certain customer scenarios. The following list captures some of the activities in the migration process which are potential for automation Extraction of CAD data from PLM systems along with dependencies Tools to perform data cleaning, healing and repair Data translation from one CAD format to another Tools to identify data quality issues Aid for designers to complete the translated data in the target CAD system Tools to check-in converted CAD data in to target PLM systems Workflow and automation capabilities that provide end-toend solution, supports the data migration framework extract, check, convert, complete, validate and import/deliver. Figure 1 Overview of CAD Data Migration process 9

10 Adoption of users to new CAD platform The current user teams of an enterprise might be working with existing CAD tools over several years. These teams are having industry specific domain knowledge and they are put in practice with the existing CAD tools. Bringing these users into new CAD platform requires thorough planning of resources along with staffing, reskilling and training. Engaging key users in planning, training and all other critical phases of the project helps to get their acceptance and success of the project. Buy-in from end user community is one of the critical factors to complete the migration projects successfully. 10

11 Options for CAD Data Translation The native CAD data can be converted from one format of CAD application to other format by various methods and some of the key options are discussed below. Manual Re-Creation The native CAD files are to be studied and re-created in the target CAD system. This approach is generally driven with low cost offshore delivery and suitable if the data conversion volumes are low. Conversion through neutral formats The native CAD files are converted in to neutral format like STEP, IGES, etc and those are used for converting to the target CAD application formats. The quality of translated data is poor sometimes (for some of features) with this conversion method. Standard CAD Translators There are standard tools available by various leading vendors in the market to perform data translation. Some examples are products from ITI, CADVerter, tools from ELYSIUM etc. These tools are license based and attract huge cost if the data volumes are massive. Development of custom tools Enterprises may also validate an option of developing their own proprietary custom tools for data translation and other automation possibilities if they are dealing with huge data. Feature based translation tools helps to provide maximum degree of quality data. These tools employ the application-programming interfaces (APIs) of each CAD system to read data from the originating system and write it to the target system. The diagram in figure-2 depicts the high level data flow and application architecture for the PoC approach 11

12 Figure 2 High level data flow and application architecture for feature based translation tool Companies can leverage on HCL PLM CAD data migration methodology & tools to de-risk the migration and derive maximum value on their PLM investment addressing the strategic, operational, technical and financial impacts on the existing PLM portfolio. HCL s reusable components & frameworks accelerate the migration projects and also ensure they are failsafe. 12

13 Author Info Krishna Murthy Acholi is a senior PLM consultant in the HCL PLM Centre of Excellence. He has extensive experience in PLM Consulting, Solution Architecting and PLM implementation across various industry domains. He holds a master s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the IIT, Kharagpur. He can be reached at murthy.acholi@hcl.com. 13

14 Hello, I m from HCL s Engineering and R&D Services. We enable technology led organizations to go to market with innovative products & solutions. We partner with our customers in building world class products & creating the associated solution delivery ecosystem to help build market leadership. Right now, of us are developing engineering products, solutions and platforms across Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Industrial Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Networking & Telecom, Office Automation, Semiconductor, Servers & Storage for our customers. For more details contact eootb@hcl.com Follow us on twitter and our blog Visit our website About HCL About HCL Technologies HCL Technologies is a leading global IT services company, working with clients in the areas that impact and redefine the core of their businesses. Since its inception into the global landscape after its IPO in 1999, HCL focuses on transformational outsourcing, underlined by innovation and value creation, and offers integrated portfolio of services including software-led IT solutions, remote infrastructure management, engineering and R&D services and BPO. HCL leverages its extensive global offshore infrastructure and network of offices in 26 countries to provide holistic, multi-service delivery in key industry verticals including Financial Services, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Public Services and Healthcare. HCL takes pride in its philosophy of Employee First which empowers our 72,267 transformers to create a real value for the customers. HCL Technologies, along with its subsidiaries, had consolidated revenues of US$ 3.1 billion (Rs. 14,101 crores), as on 31 st December 2010 (on LTM basis). For more information, please visit About HCL Enterprise HCL is a $5.7 billion leading global technology and IT enterprise comprising two companies listed in India - HCL Technologies and HCL Infosystems. Founded in 1976, HCL is one of India's original IT garage start-ups. A pioneer of modern computing, HCL is a global transformational enterprise today. Its range of offerings includes product engineering, custom & package applications, BPO, IT infrastructure services, IT hardware, systems integration, and distribution of information and communications technology (ICT) products across a wide range of focused industry verticals. The HCL team consists of over 79,000 professionals of diverse nationalities, who operate from 31 countries including over 500 points of presence in India. HCL has partnerships with several leading Global 1000 firms, including leading IT and technology firms. For more information, please visit