Move your critical manufacturing information from 2D drawings to 3D parts and package it to be easily accessed downstream in the manufacturing process with SOLIDWORKS MBD.
Communicate Product and Manufacturing Information in 3D
Engineering drawings have always been the go-to for product manufacturing information. They often still are, but if you have a digital 3D companion, you can communicate more effectively downstream and reduce errors and frustrating back-and-forth.
Whether you want to go completely paperless and drawingless, or you simply want to provide more detailed manufacturing information, SOLIDWORKS MBD (Model Based Definition) is an effective tool to provide all your information the first time. The software uses the MBD Dimensions (formerly DimXpert) PMI annotations from SOLIDWORKS and organizes them to specific planes that can be toggled on and off, cleaning up the model and providing information on demand. These information-packed 3D models can then be exported as STEP 242, 3D PDF, or eDrawings files.
SOLIDWORKS MBD helps you define feature-based annotations in parts and
assemblies and import 3D annotations from common CAD formats for more
efficient design.
Organize 3D Annotations
When the number of 3D annotations becomes too many, you can show and hide
them automatically as a model rotates, capture comprehensive settings with
3D views like visual bookmarks, compare 3D annotation differences between
revisions to capture subtle but critical differences, and reuse 3D views
in 2D drawings when necessary.
Publish 3D Data with Annotations
and Views
SOLIDWORKS MBD helps you communicate directly in 3D. If you like 3D PDFs,
the software can customize the templates, control accuracies and PDF
sizes, publish BOM tables and notes, attach multiple files upon
publishing, and create and attach STEP 242 files. SOLIDWORKS MBD can also
output eDrawings or STEP 242 files with software-readable annotations.
Minimize Scrap and Rework
Unlike manufacturing based on dated 2D drawings, SOLIDWORKS MBD
facilitates 3D engineering communication with integrated 3D
specifications, greater clarity, reduced ambiguity, and a shorter update
path.
Eliminate Service Costs and
Time-to-Market Delays
SOLIDWORKS MBD adds clarity in manufacturing communication with integrated
3D specifications which can also drive downstream applications
automatically such as CAM and CMM programming. SOLIDWORKS MBD enables 3D
annotations beyond geometry-based programming.
HOW CAN HAWK RIDGE SYSTEMS HELP?
MBD is relatively new, but the underlying engineering concepts of geometrical tolerancing are not. At Hawk Ridge, we have been working with those techniques in SOLIDWORKS since around 2005 and bring extensive experience.
We helped an automotive customer take their first steps toward a paperless environment by putting their first engineering drawings into dynamic 3D PDF outputs.
We assisted an aerospace customer that worked with a supplier using CATIA to be able to read CATIA documents with embedded PMI.
We worked closely with a big player in the marine industry to eliminate thousands of paper drawings from the shop floor and replace them with digital 3D versions.
SERVICES
MORE THAN JUST A PROVIDER
If you are interested in supplementing your drawings, or even
possibly going drawingless, using 3D PMI annotations, we are
here to help you succeed. From software implementation to
mentoring and consulting, we offer a full range of
professional services to dig in and help solve your biggest
design challenges.
TRAINING
IMPROVE PERFORMANCE THROUGH TAILORED LEARNING
We offer training pathways for every schedule and learning
style including online, in-person, and on-demand content.
Through our partnership with SolidProfessor, we offer a
self-paced GD&T training course, developed by leading
authorities in the industry.
We have been supporting 3D PMI dimensions since it was
released. This is built into every version of SOLIDWORKS and
is the foundation of MBD. Regardless of if you own MBD or just
want to add additional 3D information to your designs, our
team of professionals are here to help you out.
Whether you are looking for on-demand training, access to the
latest software releases, exclusive resources and offers, or
just needing expert support – there's a subscription option
for you.
I have SOLIDWORKS, do I need MBD to
annotate my 3D models?
You do not need MBD to do that. SOLIDWORKS comes with a feature called MBD
Dimensions (formerly DimXpert) and allows full dimensional definition
straight on the 3D design. The MBD add-in enables you to organize that
information using model views and publish as STEP 242, eDrawings, and 3D
PDF files using built-in PDF templates. MBD organizes the annotations and
packages it up so it can be used downstream.
Will SOLIDWORKS MBD really replace
my 2D drawings?
To be honest, probably not. MBD is a powerful 3D dimensioning and
annotation tool but doesn’t always allow for all needed 2D technical
drawing information to be packed into the 3D model. For simple, single
part drawings it is very possible to replace 2D drawings entirely, but in
most cases it’s a companion file to eliminate drawing misinterpretation.
Is SOLIDWORKS required to use MBD?
and Views
Yes, MBD is an add-on to SOLIDWORKS that utilizes current PMI and metadata
to publish 3D annotated models.
How does MBD feed into our
Inspection process?
Since MBD takes advantage of the 3D PMI annotations that are available
within SOLIDWORKS, the MBD add-on is not needed in order to use SOLIDWORKS
Inspection directly from the 3D model using 3D PMI dimensions.