Smart Fastener(s) with ADT?

Error-free data for Fastener Positions

What can ADT do?

The Attribute Definition Tool (ADT) Software allows not only the pure geometric consideration but also an automated introduction of riveting and drilling information technology into CATIA V5 models.

Consistent data management is important here. An airplane for example consists of many individual components and therefore a considerable amount of rivet positions come together. It would be efficient to bring these simply and most importantly fully automated into the component: Reliable-, Consistent- and Automated- processes.

Exactly these requirements are fulfilled by the ADT (Attribute Definition Tool) Software. Designed for the aerospace industry, this is the right tool to introduce fastener designs and manufacturing attributes into the CATIA V5 model.

How do i achieve consistent data management?

SWMS faced problems with the consistent data management of fastener information which included the early error detection and time savings.

Problem:

Within a big assembly, thousands of fastening positions are to be provided with process information. These include for example, the layer information such as material and thickness, sealant used, preceding processes such as pre-drilling of specific positions and much more. Furthermore, a consistent Workflow for improved product quality and the prevention of unnecessary costs should be generated. In addition, the software should be seamlessly integrated into the existing processes.

A custom model structure in ADT

The challenge here is the parallel process strings. During the construction and further development of assemblies, the programming of the production machines starts. The toolset contains two different modules: On the one hand ADT-E (Engineering) and on the other hand ADT-M (Manufacturing). The individual modules are tailored to the respective requirements of engineering and manufacturing. The communication between the two modules takes place exclusively in CATIA V5 models used. For the purpose, a separate model structure was developed which allows the creation of a connection between engineering and manufacturing and is integrated in the assembly structure.

In every assembly processed with ADT, the software creates a component to be processed. The created component contains all geometries and parameters generated by the software and represents the connection between engineering and manufacturing.

Engineering model structure

When using ADT-E, a CATIA V5 Part is created in the software created component. In the part, all fasteners defined by the designer in the software are created with geometry and parameters. The geometry is not associative. An update is provided via the unique identification by a version number.

Manufacturing model structure

For manufacturing, an independent manufacturing model is created for each assembly to be manufactured. The manufacturing model contains the component to be manufactured with the component generated by ADT-E as well as the lifecycle generated by ADT-M. In this case, the module of the engineering can only be accessed with reading privileges.

What can the modules do?

The engineering module has all the functions needed to define the fastener. Thus, all fastener-specific information can be configured here and the transferred to all selected fastener positions in the CATIA model. After this step has been taken, the positions to be defined can be imported from various CAD model into ADT. Either individual positions can be imported directly from the model or many points can be imported from the GeoSets. The “Geometrical Set Selection” option is available for this purpose. Different options can be selected from here:

• Include Sub Geometrical Sets
  
• Points
  
• Lines
  
• Pattern
  
• Sketches
  

When this process is completed, a tabular view of all imported positions with the most important information such as Point name, Fastener type, Coordinates and Vector orientation, as well as all relevant results from the stack calculation. If all this information is correct, it can be transferred to the CATIA model with one click. A subsequent change of all parameters every time is of course possible. After importing all process information from ADT into the model, CATParts will be positioned at each point automatically for better visualization and according to the selected fastener type.

Once all engineering information has been entered into the model, manufacturing can start. First, the engineering product is loaded so that the current status is always available. Even starting from this step, there is always the possibility to compare the engineering environment with that of the manufacturing.

The next step is to generated lifecycles.

The results can be added to the selected lifecycle via the context menu.