Digital product development is becoming increasingly important in many companies. Terms such as Model-Based Definition, MBD for short, or Model-Based Enterprise, MBE for short, are cropping up with increasing frequency. But what do these terms actually mean - and what role does the ISO GPS system play in this?
What does MBD mean?
With model-based definition, the 3D model of a component is no longer just used as a geometric representation. It is also supplemented with other product-relevant information. This includes, for example, dimensions, tolerances, surface details, material information or other technical requirements.
Modern CAD systems are now able to store such information directly on the 3D model. It is crucial that this information is not only displayed visually, but is also structured and machine-readable wherever possible. This creates a digital product definition that goes far beyond a pure 3D model.
The aim of MBD is therefore to describe a product as completely as possible using the digital model.
Instead of manually interpreting technical information from a 2D drawing and transferring it to other systems, product-relevant data can be utilised directly from the digital model. This reduces media discontinuities, minimises sources of error and makes processes more efficient.
In the long term, MBE can help to ensure that traditional 2D drawings become less important as the sole source of information. Although drawings will continue to play a role in many companies, the central idea of MBE is clear: the 3D model will become the leading source of information.
What significance does ISO GPS have for MBD?
For MBD to work in practice, the geometric requirements for a component must be described clearly, completely and interpretably. This is exactly where the ISO GPS system comes into play.
The ISO GPS system provides rules, symbols and concepts that can be used to clearly define geometric requirements for components. These include information on (size) dimensions, shape, direction, location and running tolerances, references and reference systems and surface properties. These can be used both for 2D drawing entries and for tolerancing on the 3D model.
Only clear and complete geometric tolerancing of components ensures that the correct information is provided for both production and measurement in order to fully utilise the advantage of digital consistency.
The key point here is: MBD provides the digital environment and ISO GPS provides the technical language for the geometric product specification.
Digital consistency requires clear information
A digital 3D model alone is not enough to ensure a consistent and reliable process. If the geometric requirements are not clearly described, there is room for interpretation even in the digital process.
This can, for example, lead to design, production and metrology having different ideas about what is actually required. This is particularly critical when it comes to tolerances, as they have a direct influence on function, manufacturability, testing effort and costs.
Digital processes can only realise their full potential if the geometric specification is clear and complete. This also means that the information must be understandable and usable for downstream processes.
Conclusion: MBE only works sensibly with ISO GPS
MBD and MBE create the technical basis for digital, end-to-end product creation processes. The ISO GPS system ensures that the geometric requirements are described clearly and in accordance with standards.
The following therefore applies: Model-Based Enterprise only makes sense if the geometric requirements are specified clearly, completely and according to a standardised system. ISO GPS is the central basis for precisely this.