Supports formats not available in SolidWorks

1
FormatWorks for CAM Users

• Supports formats not available in SolidWorks
• CATIA V5 and CATIA V4
• Pro/E WildFire 4.0 (better then SW translator)
  
• UGS NX 6.0 (better then SW translator)
• IGES/STEP (better then SW translator)
• Product Manufacturing Information (CATIA, UGX,
  Pro/E)
• Converts imported geometry into usable editable
  solids
• Automatic repair and healing technology
• Preserves original model definition and model
  quality
• No model deformation
• No face explosion
• Simplifies model for improved feature recognition
• NURBS -gt analytical definition (Plane, Cylinder,
  SOR, etc..)
• More features in SW
• Provides access to PMI (Product Manufacturing
  Information)
• No need for native CAD system (CATIA V5, UGX,
  Pro/E)
• Access to information necessary for CAM
• Eliminates 2D drawings
• Support large native CAD models and complex
  assembles

2
FormatWorks2009 Data Formats
Import
Export

• CATIA V4 (.model, .exp)
• CATIA V5 (.CATPart, CATProduct) up to R19
• Unigraphics UGS NX 6.0 (.prt)
• Pro/E WildFire 4.0 (.prt, .asm)
• Parasolid
• ACIS
• Inventor
• STEP
• IGES 5.x - 6.x
• VDA-FS
• STL
• VRML
• XML

• CATIA V4 (.model, .exp)
• CATIA V5 (.CATPart, CATProduct) up to R19
• -
• -
• Parasolid
• ACIS
• -
• STEP
• IGES 5.x - 6.x
• VDA-FS
• STL
• VRML
• XML

Not available or limited functionality in
SolidWorks2009
3
From CAD model to solid in SW
Original model CATIA V4Import format IGES
Direct SW import 7165 individual surfaces
FormatWorks import valid solid
FormatWorks repair and healing technology ensures
smooth import an automatic creation of valid
solids in SolidWorks (70 typical errors are
corrected during the data translation process)
4
Model deformation
Original model CATIA V5Import format IGES
Direct SolidWorks import
FormatWorks import
FormatWorks repair and healing technology
prevents model deformation and maintains model
quality within original model tolerance. Imported
model maintain original design intend and
definition (no shape changes!)
5
Maintaining model quality
Original model CATIA V5 (246 surfaces)Import
format IGES
FormatWorks
FormatWorks import maintain original 246
surfaces, one knit surface (all SolidWorks
operations are possible)
Direct SolidWorks import face explosion to 769
surface, multiple surfaces (impossible to perform
cut_with_surface operation to create solid core
or mold cavity)
6
Manufacturing with CAM
Original Model CATIA V4 (33 surfaces)Import
format IGES
Direct SolidWorks import 127 surfaces. NC path
generated by CAM. Unacceptable NC path
FormatWorks import 33 surfaces. NC path
generated by CAM. Correct NC path
NC path quality is dependent on the quality of
imported model. FormatWorks preserves model
quality securing correct NC path generation in CAM
7
PMI (Product Manufacturing Information)
The Product Manufacturing Information (PMI)
stored with a 3D model is accessible from CATIA
V5, UGS and Pro/E native files. The user can
activate/hide PMI layers, change the font type,
alter the letter size, edit dimensions, and
print the PMI information for documentation
purposes.
8
FormatWorks Preview/Select/Translate
Preview of large CATIA assembly
Selected part of interest
Part of interest in SolidWorks
Separated part of interest in new document
9
Why CAM user should use FormatWorks when working
with imported CAD data?

• FormatWorks supports native CAD data formats not
  supported in CAM (e.g. CATIA V4, V5)
• Imported CAD models are automatically repaired
  healed to CAM requirements
• Lighter CAD models with more manufacturing
  features
• Faster NC path generation improves overall
• CAM performance
• Smooth NC paths increase quality for final
  manufacturing 
• Access to native PMI information (CATIA V5, UGX,
  Pro/E)
• Possibility to work with large native CAD parts
  and assembles (selective translation)