Feature Based Modeling Techniques and Concurrent Engineering in Commercially Available CAD Software

Commercially available CAD/CAM/CAE software are the backbone of Modern manufacturing facilities across industries all over the world. A good CAD software should exhibit state-of-the-art modeling facilities and techniques like, ‘feature based modeling technique' and ‘concurrent engineering’. A feature based modeling technique not only enhances modeling flexibility but also provides excellent support for manufacturing. A concurrent engineering capability of a solid modeler enables a group of CAD engineers to work simultaneously in a design project sharing each other’s CAD data and information across a design platform. This paper discusses such modeling techniques available to popular commercially available CAD software like, SDRC/EDS I-DEAS Master Series and PTC Pro/Engineer. Elementary concepts like, ‘feature tree’, ‘feature suppression’, ‘feature update’ and ‘parameterization’ are discussed. Similarly, concepts like, ‘library and catalog of parts’, ‘design data management’, ‘model instancing’, ‘assembling’ etc. in the area of concurrent engineering are also discussed with examples.