Model Based Definitions (MBD)

Products are the lifeline of manufacturing industries. Unless it is extremely unique, the competitive edge of a manufacturer is largely dependent upon how quickly they bring products to the market, and how good their quality is.

In order to understand what Model Based Definition (MBD) is, and what role it plays in the current Industry 4.0 scenario, we need to first understand the product development process.

Traditionally, engineers came up with 2D CAD drawings to deliver product manufacturing information—even as they designed models in 3D. However, 2D drawings have limitations. While 2D CAD drawings are the blueprints for any product, only those well versed with technical aspects of CAD could interpret them correctly. In essence, this restricted the use of 2D drawings to technical teams; not anyone else. The information is translated to a detailed 3D model of the product. Whenever possible or needed, 3D printing and other digital manufacturing technologies are used to create a prototype of the object. Detailed 3D models are an excellent tool for communicating product concept, and for refining the design or producing a rapid prototype. There is another constraint in using 2D information to store 3D data - a small change in scope of product development requires updated 3D digital data, and it also necessitates numerous engineering changes to all 2D documentation associated with the product. This time consuming chore results in manufacturers losing their competitive edge.

There is one more argument in favour of using 3D drawings. The younger generation of engineers is well versed with 3D drawings rather than 2D, and can understand them better than orthographic projections (orthographic projection is a means of representing 3D objects in 2D), which take time and experience to interpret correctly..

Since the era of digital transformation with Industry 4.0, AI, ML, AR, IoT and IIoT, there has been a shift in the way products are designed. It is expected that most manufacturers will shift to digital manufacturing in the near future if they already have not done so. While the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) approach is a key to support such transformation, one of the important issues arising is a need to integrate conceptual information from a very early stage of the product development process with the data at later stages of design. Model Based Definition guide such complex system / product design and development from the very early stages of the product development process. Its full scale integration into the PLM would facilitate a better data flow from conceptual design to detailed design.

Defining MBD
A MBD is an annotated 3D model and its associated data elements that fully define the project. The MBD includes all the tolerances, dimensions surface quality, material information as well as process specifications that are needed for downstream users in an organization and its networks. A MBD may include a bill of Material (BOM), and PLM attributes, when it constitutes an authoritative, single source of master, product definition data completely without 2D drawings. A MBD serves as an integrated presentation of a part and replaces the datasets of models and drawings. It embraces the idea of a ‘single source of truth’, by combining the different and potentially inconsistent sources of information.

So, what is Model-Based Definition (MBD) about?
[source: https://www.ptc.com/en/resources/cad/ebook/model-based-definition-reusing-3d-models]

• MBD is ABOUT empowering all stakeholders within the organization to access rich Digital Product Definition not only Just-In-Time but also Just-What-They-Need
• MBD is ABOUT creating, organizing and managing a fully defined 3D Model that captures design intent and serves as the Master Product Definition for the extended Enterprise
• MBD is ABOUT creating TDP that encapsulates various facets of the design for use by manufacturing, inspection, service, marketing, suppliers and other downstream users.

What Model-Based Definition (MBD) is NOT!

• Model-Based Definition is NOT Paperless Engineering!
• Model-Based Definition is NOT just about passing “Models” from one domain or tool to another (i.e. Engineering, Design, Analysis, or from one Process Planning tool to another)

Challenges and risks for Model-Based Definition / Model-Based Enterprise (MBE)
MBD and MBE are promising solutions to address increasing product and business complexities of today. As with any new approach, there are a number of barriers that hinder adoption. Some of these barriers include not only business & technology barriers but also cultural barriers.

Technology barriers

• Maturity of tools
• Long standing data exchange and data validation issues
• Standards and practices for long term storage and archival of data
• Risks and other unknowns associated with the introduction of new technologies

Cultural barriers

• Adoption to digital user interfaces as compared to pen and paper based methods
• Resistance to change and acceptance of the new way of working
• Personnel training on new software and user interfaces
• Misconception about the value drivers for MBE

Business related barriers

• Customer readiness and acceptance of 3D deliverables instead of traditional 2D drawings
• Supplier readiness
• Management buy-in
• ROI justification
• Investments required in tools, training and infrastructure
• Adjustments to existing business process

Business case for MBD
A trusted Model-Based Definition is a prerequisite for achieving Model-Based Enterprise. Although the concept of MBD has been around for years, it has certainly met its share of challenges along the way. Now, it seems that many of the hurdles that were once considered stumbling blocks for the adoption of MBD are quickly dissolving. With advances in technology and standards we are now at a point where MBD will increasingly become the preferred way of design in the immediate future.

Five key business drivers for an MBD approach and its resultant MBE are:

• Faster – through increasing velocity of product realization
• Smarter – by allowing next generation automation
• Better – through improving both model and product quality
• Cheaper – by enabling cost-effective downstream processes
• Safer – through incorporating innovative ideas

It should be clear by now that good CAD software is essential if enterprises want to switch from traditional 2D CAD to MBD. PTC Creo Parametric, the industry benchmark for parametric CAD, has all the tools engineers need to implement MBD properly. If you need more information about how PTC Creo can help your enterprise, please get in touch with us. We are strategic business partners in India for PTC Inc. for their CAD, PLM, Augmented Reality and Industrial IoT products like Creo, Windchill, Vuforia and ThingWorx, and we have an experienced team to guide you in choosing the right engineering software tools.