3D CAD Pro🔍 : CATIA, Automation-CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE automation

Example

Design a parametric gearbox using a skeleton model, Publications, and re-usable features (PowerCopies/UDFs), then create drawings and MBD annotations.

Scenario

1) Skeleton setup: Create a context product (CATProduct) with a single skeleton CATPart holding reference planes, interfaces, hole axes, and overall parameters (module, shaft C-C distance, bolt circle diameter). Publish key geometry. 2) Part creation: Insert child parts in the same context. Use 'Use Published Geometry' for robust links. Drive wall thickness, fillet sizes, and bolt patterns with Formulas referencing skeleton parameters. 3) Reuse: Capture recurring patterns (boss + pocket + hole) as a PowerCopy or UDF with inputs (support plane, center point, size). Store in a catalog for reuse. 4) Surfacing: For complex housings, build Class-A-like blends in GSD (Sweep, Blend, Fill) and then thicken. Use Healing to fix imported supplier STEP faces. 5) Kinematics & DMU: Create a mechanism for the input/output shafts and run DMU clearance analysis to check gear casing clearances and service access. 6) Drafting/FT&A: Generate drawing templates (A3/A2), create front/section/isometric views, apply GD&T in FT&A (true position of bearing bores, perpendicularity of mounting face), and ensure associative updates. 7) Release: Validate with Update/Links reports, then push to 3DEXPERIENCE, set maturity to 'Frozen', run a design review, and promote to 'Released' after approvals.

Example

Build a VBA macro that auto-creates a drawing package (sheet, views, title block, BOM balloons) and exports a parts list to Excel; add EKL rules that enforce modeling standards (naming, parameters, min fillet ≥ thickness/2).

Scenario

VBA macro: • Inputs: CATPart/CATProduct, title block data (project, part number, revision), template paths. • Steps: (a) Open a drawing template; (b) Insert front/section views via DrawingViews.Add; (c) Populate attributes (part number, rev) into background sheet text; (d) Generate item numbers, create balloons on the assembly view, and (e) Build a BOM table and export to Excel using the Windows Scripting.FileSystemObject or Excel COM. • Deployment: Save macro in the user CATStartup path; add a toolbar button via Tools→Customize. EKL design rule (3DEXPERIENCE): • Rule: If SheetMetal.Thickness > 0 then FilletRadius ≥ Thickness/2; block update with a message if violated. • Benefit: Prevents downstream manufacturing issues and keeps models standard-compliant. Design Tables: • Use an Excel-driven table to create 30 gearbox size variants (module, center distance, fastener size). Switch configurations by row to auto-generate family parts. CAA/EKB patterns (when needed): • For enterprise scale, outline a CAA add-in that scans a product, validates metadata, and pushes clean attributes to ENOVIA before maturity promotion.

Example

Define a clean lifecycle (In Work → Frozen → Released), set role-based permissions, map attributes (Part Number, Revision, Material) between CATIA properties and ENOVIA, and run change actions with traceability.

Scenario

1) Data model: Create a Part class with required attributes; set auto-numbering rules and a revision schema (A→B→C or 01→02). 2) Workspace setup: Organize Collaborative Spaces and use bookmarks to group projects; define access (Designers can Edit in 'In Work', Leads approve at 'Frozen/Released'). 3) Attribute mapping: Map CATIA properties (PartNumber, Nomenclature, Material) to ENOVIA attributes to avoid duplicate typing and ensure searchability. 4) Lifecycle: Designers create items 'In Work', perform peer review, then promote to 'Frozen' for validation (DMU clearance, drawing check). After sign-offs, promote to 'Released'. 5) Change management: Use Issues → Change Actions to revise impacted parts; supersede A with B while preserving traceability. Notify downstream (manufacturing, suppliers) automatically. 6) EBOM/MBOM handoff: Export EBOM with part usage and find-numbers; align with MBOM for manufacturing. Optionally publish STEP AP242 for neutral exchange. 7) Governance: Run dashboards for maturity coverage, missing attributes, and broken links; block promotion if checks fail.