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Model-Based Definition
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.
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.
Automatically show and hide annotations as the model rotates, capture settings with 3D views, compare annotation differences between revisions, and reuse views in 2D drawings.
Customize 3D PDF templates, control accuracies and sizes, publish BOM tables and notes, attach files, and create STEP 242 files with software-readable annotations.
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.
SOLIDWORKS MBD improves manufacturing communication with integrated 3D specs, automating CAM and CMM programming while enabling advanced annotations.
When Inspire Medical needed help with their sleep apnea device, they turned to Caztek Engineering. Having expertise in medical designs and complicated assemblies, the team was able to move through the design process efficiently, taking advantage of SOLIDWORKS functionality.
Impressive renderings, critical documentation and design control capabilities helped create a final model that impacts lives and gives their work meaning.
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.
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.
Yes, MBD is an add-on to SOLIDWORKS that utilizes current PMI and metadata to publish 3D annotated models.
While SOLIDWORKS MBD can help quality engineers better visualize model dimensions, it is based on the existing 3D PMI annotations available within SOLIDWORKS and thus is not required to generate reports with SOLIDWORKS Inspection.
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From software implementation to data migration to consulting, we will be there for you through every step of your SOLIDWORKS journey to ensure your productivity, success, and growth.
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