Computer aided design (CAD) systems are now used throughout the industry, and 3D modelling has become a standard procedure in engineering design today. Creo from Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), a US based company, is a scalable suite of design applications built on a common platform. Creo consists of a suite of modules like Creo Parametric, Creo Simulate, Creo Direct, etc.
Creo Parametric (formerly called Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0) is internationally renowned CAD software with state of the art productivity tools. Because the software is parametric, it provides a broad range of flexible 3D capabilities that help address most pressing design challenges including accommodating late stage changes, working with multi CAD data and electromechanical design. Creo Parametric facilitates a concurrent engineering approach to the design, analysis and manufacturing of mechanical engineering products. It allows quick creation of 3D solid models, where real life loads can be simulated to predict the behaviour of the design under specific operating conditions. The computer models can also be used directly by manufacturing equipment such as machining centres, lathes, mills, or rapid prototyping machines ( 3D printers) to manufacture the product.
Creo Parametric is primarily composed of four different applications: Modelling, Welding, Casting and Simulate all of which share a common database.
| What is parametric modelling? Parametric modelling gets its name from the fact that the 3D model is defined by parameters. A change in a dimension at any point in the design process changes the geometry of the model. Parametric models also use geometrical constraints such as horizontal, vertical, perpendicular, parallel, tangential, etc. In parametric modelling, any modification in the dimension values results in the relevant geometry getting updated automatically. Read more on Parametric Modelling Benefits: - Geometric & dimensional constraints and relational parametric equations can be used to capture design intent - Entire system can be updated after changing one parameter even for complex designs |
Creo Parametric enables creation of solid, 3D models of a part and assembly models. The advantage of solid models is that they are realistic visual representation of designs; containing properties such as mass, volume and centre of gravity. In addition, 3D models can be used to check for interferences in an assembly, for strength analysis and also for manufacturing.
Creo Parametric is a feature based product development tool. The software constructs models using a series of easy to understand features. The geometric definition of a model is defined by the type of features used and the order in which each feature is placed. Each feature builds upon the previous feature and can reference any of the preceding features. Feature based modelling also allows you to build one simple feature at a time. It also enables designers to incorporate the original design into the construction of the model, and the individual features control the geometry in the event of a design change. In addition, each new feature can reference previous features, which reduces development time. The models created by Creo Parametric are value driven, using dimensions and parameters to define the size and location of features within the model.
Capabilities of Creo Parametric
3D Solid Modelling: allows creation of precise geometry, regardless of model complexity and automatically dimensions sketches for fast, easy reuse
Robust assembly modelling: creates simplified representations on the fly for smarter, faster assembly modelling performance
Technical surfacing: allows developing of complex surface geometry using sweeps, blends, extends, offsets and a variety of other specialized features
Freestyle surfacing: allows quick creation of freeform shapes and surfaces using sub-divisional modelling capabilities. High quality, parameterized surfaces can be immediately reused in a 3D detailed design process
Sheetmetal modelling: allows creation of walls, bends, punches, notches, forms and reliefs using the streamlined user interface
Weld modelling: optimized user interface for the structural framework design process. Creo Parametric allows extraction of valuable information from the model, such as mass properties, clearances, interferences and cost data
The analysis feature of Creo Parametric also allows validation of kinematic motion of the design and performs basic structural analysis on parts and assemblies.
Here are a few benefits of using Creo Parametric:
Creo Parametric is available for most of the major variants of Windows. As of 2019, the latest version is Creo Parametric 6.0. PTC regularly keeps on adding new features to the software.
To summarize, PTC Creo Parametric is powerful and flexible 3D CAD software. Creo Parametric combines the power of parametric modelling to quickly create 3D models of any part or assembly. It is a robust modelling software that focuses on providing modularity and instant feedback for design changes.