Using CATIA and KWA

to Streamline the
Design Check Process
Gord Vander Vliet
Enterprise Tool & Die, LLC
Scope
• The purpose of this presentation is to look at a few
challenges that were expending many hours in the
design check process at our facility, and then
examine some possible solutions.
• Keep in mind that the solutions shown here are not
the only options for solving these challenges.
• It’s a good practice to be conscious of ways to
eliminate repetitive processes in your system.
Enterprise Tool & Die Background
• We manufacture stamping dies for several different
industries.
• Basically, every tool we build is custom. Therefore,
we don’t utilize a large amount of pre-built templates
for the individual stations required to produce the
finished part.
• We do use a few standard subassemblies and
predefined start blocks in all of our designs.

We will focus our attention on these individual details

throughout this presentation.
Part Examples
Part Examples
Tooling Examples
Trusting the BOM
• The ability to trust the output of your Bill of Materials is vital.
• While this may seem simple at first, it was actually one of the
single most time consuming activities in our design check
process.
• Using the measure tools within CATIA to check each and
every component in a design was certainly inefficient, yet it
was a requirement based on the construction of our predefined
start blocks. Let’s take a look at two very different examples,
and some of the pros and cons associated with them.
 Simple Measure Example
• Description Parameter
is based on the X, Y, Z
dimensions of the first x y z
pad in the PartBody. x
• Notice the difference
between the actual
measures and the z
Description Parameter.
• This is not an accurate
way to generate this
information.

y
Simple Measure Construction
“Size_X” is tied directly to the “X”
dimension in the base sketch.

“Size_X_Ordered” is simply In the Description Parameter, we assemble the X,

“Size_X” converted to a string. Y and Z parameters. This is output to the BOM.
 Auto Measure Example
• Description Parameter
is based on using the
measure tools from x y z
within the formula editor. x
• With this method, we
are able to apply an
additional feature such
as the ability to round
numbers (note the “x” z
dimension).
• This is a very accurate
way to generate this
information. y
Auto Measure Construction
Additional planes and
parameters needed to be
added to the model.
• Planes were created in both
positive and negative X, Y,
and Z for measurement.
• A length parameter was
created to drive the value of
the plane offsets.
• Length parameters were
also added to use the
measure tools from within the
formula editor.
• Let’s take a closer look at
these features and their
creation.
 Auto Measure Construction
• The 6 measure planes are
created by offsetting the XY, YZ,
and ZX planes.
• They need to be created in both
positive and negative directions.
• Plane offset values are set to
equal the Measure_Plane_Offset
parameter.
 Auto Measure Construction

“+X” and “-X” are length parameters. We have

used a measure formula to obtain a distance value
between the planes of the same names, and the
PartBody. These formulas can be accessed
through the Formula Editor as shown on the right.

“Size_X” is obtained by adding the

difference between the two planes and the
“Measure_Plane_Offset” value.
Auto Measure Construction

“Size_X_Ordered” is a string parameter. Using

the “ToString” formula, we can convert a length
parameter to a string. In this case, we are also
rounding to the nearest 1/8”. These formulas
can be accessed through the Formula Editor as
shown to the right.

In the “Description” parameter, we

assemble the X, Y and Z parameters. This
is output to the BOM.
Using the BOM as a Design Check Tool
• In the first section of this presentation, we looked at
an example showing us how to be able to trust the
stock sizes exported to the BOM. This gives us the
confidence that we will never need to check stock
sizes in our designs again.

• In this next example, we will look at how the BOM

can be used as a tool to gather and display data.
Easy access to this information allows us to reduce
time spent checking items which can be automated.
Using the BOM as a Design Check Tool
• Challenge 1
• During the manufacture of our components, we utilize a system to
hold down our details to a quick change mounting plate for our
CNC mills.
• 2 of these “CNC Locators” are required in each detail.
• They must be in 1.000” increments to each other in both the X
and Y directions.
• They must be independently adjustable to each other.
• Because of our method of driving these locations, it is possible for
a designer to inadvertently place them in an incorrect location.
Using the BOM as a Design Check Tool
• Challenge 2
• Some customers require all metric components, while others
want only english components in their tools.
• All of our start blocks, and many of our purchased components,
have the ability to utilize either fastener type.
• With that in mind, it is possible for a designer to have a mix of
these components in the final tool.
• In the next few slides, we will look into how we have utilized
Parameters, Formulas, Knowledge Advisor, and the BOM to
gather and check the information for these two challenges in one
simple operation.
 CNC Locator Construction
In this example, the
CNC Locators are
linked to a design
table. On the right is
an image showing
their construction.
Note the design table
parameter named
Fastener_Type.
 Testing the CNC Locator Span: Correct Value
In this example, the
locations are on the
correct 1.000”
increments. Notice
the parameter
“Locator_Span” has
a value of “Correct”.
 Testing the CNC Locator Span: Incorrect Value
In this example, the
locations are NOT on
the correct 1.000”
increments. Notice
the parameter
“Locator_Span” has a
value of “Incorrect”.
 CNC Locator Rule
This is really a very
simple rule. In the next
few slides we will
examine what is going
on behind the scenes
here. We will take a look
at the horizontal
dimension as an
example.
 Formulas Behind the CNC Locator Rule
The “Real” type parameter, “Horiz_Locator_Span” is
tied directly to the “Locator_Horizontal_Dimension” in
the base sketch. We divide by 1 inch because that is
the increment we are testing for.
Here, we convert the Real value to an
Integer value. This displays whole numbers
only, dropping the value after the decimal.

In the “Remainder” parameter, we subtract

the “Integer” value from the “Real” value. If
the remainder is not equal to zero, this
makes the locator Span read “Incorrect”.
 Assigning Product Properties
To output the values displayed in
these parameters to the BOM,
they will need to be associated
with the Product properties of the
CATPart

• Right click on the top level of

the tree.
• Select “Properties” from the
resulting menu.
• When the “Properties” box is
displayed, choose the “Product”
tab.
• Click on the “Define other
properties” button.
 Assigning Product Properties
Here we can add the properties
we want to be displayed in the
BOM. Notice the names of the
properties which were created.
Next, we will need to link them to
the parameters.
 Assigning Product Properties

To link the Product Properties:

• Click the “Formula” icon
(shown above).
• Search for the properties to
associate with the parameters.
(Hint: They will be at or near the
bottom of the list.
• Click the “Add Formula” button
(shown on right).
 Assigning Product Properties
• In the tree,
choose the
parameter
that you want
to link to the
Product
Property.
• Click the
“OK” button.
Assigning Product Properties
Here, we see the linked properties and parameters.
 Exporting to the BOM
• From the menu, select: ”Analyze”,
and then, “Bill of Material”.
• In the resulting box displayed,
select the “Define Formats” button.
 Formatting the BOM
• Clear the Displayed Properties for the
“Properties for the Bill of Material” area by
moving all the listed properties to the
Hidden properties area.
• In the “Properties for the Recapitulation”
area, move the properties you wish to
display in the BOM to the Displayed
properties area.
• Select the “OK” button.
 Formatting the BOM
• This is how it will look when finished.
Summary
By utilizing the following ideas, we were able to simplify
our processes by automating or embedding tasks:

• Look for ways to eliminate repetitive processes

• Use methods that are robust, yet simple
• Dig deeper for alternative methodologies
• Network with other users from within your given industry
for additional solutions
Thank You!