Design to Manufacturing and Inspection (D2MI)

The Design to Manufacturing and Inspection project demonstrated the feasibility and development of CAD-to-CAM and CAD-to-CMM tools taking advantage of the 3D data interoperability groundwork previously established with CAD-to-CAD. The enhanced interoperability will significantly  

• reduce and/or eliminate recreation of part design data,
• reduced cycle time and cost,
• reduce risk of downstream error introduction,
• increased part yield, and
• generate higher quality products.

The information flow (shown below) utilizes a CAD model with PMI that is translated from native CAD to STEP. The STEP file was then imported by the CAM system, which uses a Parasolid kernel. In addition, the STEP file was ported to an extended version of ACIS that was imported by the CMM system, which uses an ACIS kernel.

The project tasks included:

• Proof-of-Concept demonstrator for transport of PMI downstream to manufacturing and First Article Inspections (FAI)
• Identify Metrics for analyzing As-Is and To-Be processes
• Collect Metrics results for As-Is and To-Be processes and determine Return On Investment (ROI)
• Identify technology and data gaps and roadblocks in the To-Be process

The project was a collaborative effort by a team comprised of NIST, ITI TranscenData, Rockwell Collins, CT CoreTechnologie, Advanced Collaboration Consulting Resources LLC, CNC Software Inc., Mitutoyo America Corp., and Geater Machining and Manufacturing, Co. 

• Validation for Downstream Computer Aided Manufacturing and Coordinate Metrology Processes
• Investigating the Impact of Standards-Based Interoperability for Design to Manufacturing and Quality in the Supply Chain
• Gaps Analysis Of Integrating Product Design, Manufacturing, And Quality Data In The Supply Chain Using Model-Based Definition
• Digital Thread Video Discussion
• Download D2MI CAD models and files