Date: 6th July 2005
DXN Speeds Selection and Translation of Information from Large Assembly Files
New Functionality in Theorem's DXN Application Provides Simpler and Faster Interactive Translation of Subset Data.
Theorem Solutions' latest Data eXchange Navigator (DXN) provides a fast and simple-to-use method of isolating and translating component and sub-assembly information from large assembly data files, such as those released by aerospace and automotive OEMs to their supply chain partners.
Individual components or groups of parts from these assemblies will frequently be manufactured by several different sub-contractors. Any suppliers operating different CAD systems to the OEM will traditionally face the challenge of translating the whole assembly file, even if they only need to work on a single component or subassembly - an operation that wastes time, incurs additional cost and can lead to mistakes.
Theorem's latest DXN release solves this problem by reading assembly information from all major CAD systems, including CATIA V5 and CATIA V4, UGNX, I-DEAS, Pro/Engineer, Parasolid and CADDS 5, as well as data in STEP format. The product structure is displayed to users in a familiar 'file manager' tree, showing indented sub assemblies. DXN automatically identifies the position, orientation and offset of each component; enabling it to be opened, translated into a preferred CAD format, modified and replaced in the master assembly, as required. If any node includes intelligence - as in the case of STEP data - attributes such as product identifiers, weights, or costs can also be accessed by the user.
A powerful rule checking feature within DXN enables the component tree to be filtered selectively, using any of the available attribute information. Identification of specific parts is therefore simplified considerably, streamlining operations and providing major time and cost savings - particularly if the original file contains several hundred components or sub-assemblies.
Selection of any component within the tree provides users with a 3D model of its geometry in an integrated CADviewer window. The component can be rotated, zoomed and further interrogated on screen to ensure that it is the correct subset of data to be translated into the user's chosen CAD format.
New functionality in DXN extends both the number of available CAD data import and export formats, and enables the creation and export of hybrid assemblies, where permitted by the CAD system.
According to Theorem Solutions' General Manager, Keith Jeacock: "DXN is a must for anyone needing to extract and translate component or sub-assembly data from large CAD data files. It not only overcomes a potentially difficult challenge, but is both easy to learn and simple to operate.
"It can save hours of work every time it is applied," he continues. "As a result, we believe DXN is set to play an increasingly important role in the interactive translation of CAD assemblies during the coming months."
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