Marketing meets engineering - how PIM can support CAD and BIM requirements
Designers, architects and planners require 3D CAD files from the manufacturer in common exchange formats (STEP, SAT, DWG, DXF) or for direct use in their CAD or BIM system. Ideally, the designer or architect can insert the CAD file directly into their system. Other outputs are also welcome, such as dimension sheets and 3D PDFs.
Requirements for manufacturers
The following requirements therefore arise for component manufacturers from the customer wishes described above:
System-neutral CAD models
As there are a large number of exchange formats as well as CAD and BIM systems, it is necessary to provide the 3D CAD files specifically for the respective system. The 3D CAD models must therefore be created in a system-neutral way. Of course, only the installation dimensions are relevant, not the production dimensions. Model once, export everywhere.
Parametric CAD models
As manufacturers usually have very varied products, it is necessary to be able to parameterize the CAD models in order to minimize the effort required to create them.
3D CAD viewer
It should be possible to visualize the CAD model in real time for selection and parameterization. The user should be able to display and check the 3D model in different views.
Generation and distribution of CAD data
CAD data should be made available via portals or directly on the manufacturer's website. If the CAD data is to be distributed via a portal, an interface to these portals is required. In the case of integration on the manufacturer's own website, it is necessary to be able to use the 3D viewer including all the functions mentioned as an iFrame or alternatively to offer the CAD files for all product variants in defined formats for download.
BIM
For BIM, it is also necessary to provide the CAD model in various levels of detail (LoD) and to enrich product data - in the file itself - for Revit, Archicad, Allplan or IFC. As product data originates from the PIM, an interface to the PIM system is useful for this to avoid manual effort and ensure that the data is up to date.
Interfaces to PIM, CAD portal and website
An interface to the PIM system is extremely useful. On the one hand, to provide the product data, e.g. for geometry, selection filters and BIM files. On the other hand, to provide the data for the portal's user interface or your own website: The data for selection (tree, filters) and for tabular display (attributes, images) - in the required languages and with the right assortment depending on the country.
That sounds complex. But don't worry, there have been solutions on the market for decades that can solve these requirements using standard technology.
What standard solutions are available on the market?
CADClick
Our long-standing partner 4PACE maps all the requirements mentioned with CADClick. crossbase has a direct standard interface to CADClick (REST-API, Json). It is also possible to integrate the 3PQ configurator from 4PACE. Best practice examples are Schöck, MiniTec and Meusburger:
> Best Practice Schöck
> Best Practice MiniTec
> Best Practice Meusburger
3Dfindit
CADENAS offers 3Dfindit, a portal with over 7,000 manufacturer catalogs. crossbase has a direct standard interface to 3Dfindit (BMEcat). Best practice examples are Gebr. Kemper, Wöhner and Zimmer Group:
> Gebr. Kemper
> Wöhner
> Zimmer Group
Trace Parts
TraceParts offers over 2,000 manufacturer catalogs with the portal of the same name. crossbase has a direct standard interface to TraceParts (BMEcat). Best practice examples are item, RAFI and Spelsberg:
AUSSCHREIBEN.DE
With the AUSSCHREIBEN.DE portal, Orca Software offers the leading platform for construction product data. Over 700 manufacturers from various trades present their digital product catalogs here, which can include CAD/BIM data in addition to basic information. The data is provided directly from crossbase to AUSSCHREIBEN.DE in the standard GAEB XML format. This automation eliminates the need for manual maintenance in the portal. Schöck is a best practice example:
Conclusion
The provision of CAD and BIM data is indispensable for manufacturers of components in a competitive environment. The interaction between PIM, which is located in marketing, and the CAD component catalog, which is located in design, results in synergies for the data maintenance process. For BIM, the interface to the PIM is even a MUST, as the geometry data must be enriched with PIM data.
Thomas Kern is Managing Director and founder of crossbase. He came up with the idea for the software and has more than 25 years of experience in PIM, MAM, print, e-commerce and everything that goes with it. As a mechanical engineer specializing in applied computer science, he can therefore provide our customers from industry with comprehensive advice.
He also advises new customers on the introduction of crossbase and is responsible for project management. His main areas of expertise in the projects are analysis, data model and ERP interface.
He also shares this knowledge with you in our blog and is happy to answer your questions:
t.kern@crossbase.de
I look forward to a personal
consultation with you.
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Herby Tessadri
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