Migrating to CATIA V5 Made Easier:
New Completion WizardTM for CATIA V4 to CATIA V5 Migrations

Proficiency, the leading developer of CAD Interoperability solutions just released version 7.0 of its Collaboration Gateway™ and a new Completion Wizard™ for CATIA V5 migrations.  The Completion Wizard interactively allows the engineer to complete and validate the final model preserving all product knowledge.  The Collaboration Gateway,  a state-of-the-art CAD interoperability solution for the intelligent translation of data between all major CAD systems new version includes improved performance and reporting capabilities, 64 bit memory support, higher exchange rates based on new functionality, user enhancements for project management and new CATIA V4 to CATIA V5 functionality.

Completion Wizard
With up to 95% of the translation handled automatically by the Collaboration Gateway the powerful complementary Completion Wizard has been developed to complete the process.  It operates as a plug-in within CATIA V5, and tracks and validates any manual changes that a user makes involving portions of the model that could not be automatically exchanged with CG 7.0 due to CAD incompatibility differences.  From within CATIA V5, the user is presented with detailed information about pending issues, and presented options as how to successfully complete the model.

Customer Proven
“We at Daimler Powertrain are very pleased with Proficiency’s CG V7.0 release and the new innovative Completion Wizard. As our CAD interoperability solution (CATIA V4 to V5) we have experienced major improvements in completion time of medium and complex models by as much as 50%”, said Dr. Haasis, Senior Manager CoC CAD/CAM & VR. “With greater ease of use, increased quality, and robust control of the process as well as noticeable cost savings, we have a repeatable method of achieving product knowledge migration.”

From within CATIA V5, the user is presented with a detailed list of items to review, and presented options as how to successfully complete the model. Once addressed, the features are validated against the original model geometry. Downstream features are also automatically updated, including creation of any missing features, solving of reference re-attach issues and final model validation to ensure the quality of the results.

Collaboration Gateway Version CG7.0
The Collaboration Gateway enables the transfer of the complete product knowledge between major CAD systems which includes geometry, features, sketches, manufacturing info, metadata, assembly information and drawings in the conversion process.  Simply stated it means that high quality CAD models are transferred without loosing their workability or manufacturing data. Moreover, the process does not only preserve the product knowledge, but more importantly adds value by removing old issues embedded in the original model.
 
Companies in the automotive, aerospace & defense, and heavy machinery industries, such as; Boeing, Bombardier, Daimler, European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (EADS), Ford Motor Company, General Dynamics, GKN, ITT Industries, Magneti Marelli, Northrop Grumman Corporation, SIEMENS, ThyssenKrupp, and the U.S. Navy, benefit from using Proficiency's solutions.

The solutions significantly reduce cost, risks, and errors while improving profitability by shortening delivery times, promoting re-use and protecting intellectual property (IP) assets during collaboration.

Highlights of the new release include:

• Exchange Rate Success Improvements
  Feature support now includes PIPE, GPR, and SKD elements both in part and assembly mode. Additional feature and sub-type support for Unite-Trim, Offset, Thickness, Fillets, Drafts, Project, Split, and Cylinder are also included. Geometry enhancements for Import Features, Skins, Volumes and Final Geometry were also added for CATIA V4 to V5.
• Support for 64 bit Memory
  Proficiency now supports Windows XP x64, which eliminates the memory problems that are inherent when working with complex models. As 3-D model complexity grows, applications require much more memory than 32-bit systems allow (4GB maximum). This allows users to maintain design history on their largest models without having to break the models into multiple pieces due to hardware limitations.
• Project Management Controls
  Also in CG V7 is a new setting to define and re-use project specific data requirements and models. Requirements may include specific CAD builds (or service packs), template files, and environment settings. By capturing these requirements, companies can ensure compliance with multiple exchange requirements.
• Data Re-Use
  Performance is improved in CG V7, by identifying and re-using common parts and assemblies. This eliminates redundant model processing, and can be limited to a project or extended across multiple projects.
• Enhanced Associative Drawing Support for CATIA V4 to V5
  Added was the support for associative and non-associative views, the exchange of associative Dimensions/Text/Labels/ Balloons, and support for Dittos/Symbols elements, colors and layers. The use of naming conventions to link between 2D model and 3D model has also been included and the ability to support the following use cases of same model, separate model and assembly mode (attach CATDrawing to CATProduct file) are part of CG V7.
• Superior Functionality and Scope for Batch Submission
  For large scale processing, job submittal has been improved to include script submission and easy integration to OpenDXM, DDX,.. etc., in addition to manual submittal.

Additional enhancements include:

• Sketch Report Improvements for Pro/E
• Support for CATIA V5 R17 and NX5
• Support for Details/Dittos/Macro-primitives for V4 to NX5
• ACF Support for V5, NX to Pro/E
• Support NX4 multi-body features
• Threads for V5, UG, and Pro/E

For further information on the Collaboration Gateway and Completion Wizard visit the Proficiency website, or visit us at booth #206 at the COE 2008 Annual PLM Conference & TechniFair or request a call from one of our representatives to learn more by emailing us at: sales@proficency.com or calling in the U.S. 508-475-0470 or in Europe +49 0811555260.