DEARBORN, Mich., March 7, 2007 —The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Interoperability and 3D Collaboration event will take place at the Marriott Renaissance in Detroit on May 2-3, 2007.

Collaboration with CAD and other 3D data is one of the most important elements of modern manufacturing practice. However, problems in CAD interoperability and collaboration plague the industry, presenting one of the most formidable impediments to productivity and time to market. To remain competitive and grow, manufacturers must continually and aggressively improve products and processes to enable effective communication and collaboration, on a global basis.

This two day, international conference provides a unique opportunity for design, engineering, and manufacturing professionals to interact, learn and share experiences in interoperability and collaboration with 3D data. Attendees will learn about the latest strategies, best practices and solutions, while interacting directly with fellow users and leading experts in the field. The conference also provides an opportunity to learn about the latest data exchange software tools.

The Interoperability and 3D Collaboration schedule:

Wednesday, May 2
8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Why Interoperability Isn't: Finding Clarity in the Chaos
Various aspects of effective 3D collaboration and interoperability will be presented while providing insights on the most significant trends and latest happenings in the industry, including:
•        Complexities of sharing 3D data and what's happening to make it easier
•        Airbus situation: causes, affects and what we can learn from it
•        Partnership between Autodesk and PTC to work on interoperability issues and the
participation of other CAD vendors
•        What does the future hold for Acrobat 3D, DWF JT, 3D XML, and other "light-weight" 3D formats? How will they work with the CAD formats, or not?
•        Latest advances in feature translation and discovery
•        New version of STEP and its expected impact on the industry
•        Role the open source movement will play in future interoperability and collaboration solutions
David Prawel, Longview Advisors

Electronic Delivery System For Supplier Build Packages
A custom system for electronic delivery of build packages to suppliers including drawings and 3D CAD models to support procurement will be described. Internal users access the application which is integrated to CAD, configuration control and business data systems and "push" configured build packages to an Extranet server to support machined parts and PWB board assembly fabrication. Suppliers can also access the system externally and "pull" packages. The automated pull method has freed procurement agents from the task of gathering and sending packages, resulting in cost and cycle time reductions which will be discussed.
Robb McCord, Northrop Grumman

Strategies & Tradeoffs in Deploying Lightweight 3D
The challenges, considerations and process of selecting and developing standard 3D model file formats to work between ICEM, Rhino and Alias rendering software will be discussed. Use of computational fluid dynamics analysis, finite element analysis, Pro/Engineer design, rapid prototyping, lightweight 3D viewers, animation, paper and web-publishing will be presented based on an on-going case study.
Rick Mihelic, PACCAR

CAD Interoperability Software Vendor Panel
Interoperability problems continue to cost industry many billions of dollars. Challenges caused by incompatible CAD modelers, data formats and processes are the root cause. When it comes to solving these problems, the heavy lifting is left to the dedicated software and services vendors who specialize in addressing these difficult challenges. New approaches are brought to market on a regular basis and success stories are plentiful. But a lot of tough challenges remain. This panel will bring together leaders in the CAD interoperability software business to answer your questions and discuss their solutions.

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch on the Show Floor

1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
CAD to CAD Interoperability
Legacy Data Requirements and Strategy for MBD Datasets Archiving
The regulatory requirements published by the FAA, DOD and NASA for the long term retention of product data will be discussed. The difference in data representation for drawings verses MBD 3D datasets will be described with an emphasis on MBD descriptions and the requirements for storing these types of datasets. Additionally, acceptable open data formats suitable for long term retention of MBD data will be presented.
Terrence McGowan, Boeing

STEP Overview & Update: A Second Generation Emerges
STEP (ISO 10303) is the most important international industry standard for CAD data interoperability, and perhaps the only viable long-term, strategic solution to sharing and archiving CAD data. An overview of the current state of the core STEP application protocols (APs) for the aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding industries, including the latest enhancements to the second edition of AP203, Configuration Controlled 3D Designs of Mechanical Parts and Assemblies will be presented. Short case studies of recent successful use in design, analysis, and manufacturing, will be shared.
Jack Harris, PDES

Comparing and Validating Product Lifecycle Models
The ability to compare revised, remastered or translated 3D models within the product's lifecycle provides key advantages to the design, simulation and manufacturing processes. Potential solutions will be discussed including legacy design migration validation, design concept comparison, design reuse for simulation qualification, simulation model comparison, design revision comparison, design reuse for tooling quality, downstream model divergence, design translation validation, and certified delivery of long term archival validation with STEP.
Steve Utterdyke, ITI TranscenData

Collaborating with Lightweight 3DAccelerates Client Approvals by Upgrading Your Design Review Processes
How Advanced Dynamics has improved its design review and communication processes from very slow paper and courier to electronic email and web collaboration will be presented. Alternatives considered and the pros & cons of different approaches, lessons learned, technologies implemented, and current best practices will be discussed. This will include tracking of all engineering requests and improvements on other areas such as shop communication and assembly instructions.
Patrik Chartrand, Advanced Dynamics

Hurdling the Obstacles of 3D Design Collaboration
Some of the most difficult limitations to overcome in design and manufacturing are sharing large assemblies and PMI-GD&T information, and securing access to your proprietary design assets. Advantages and disadvantages of some common solutions, along with the importance of leveraging standards in any good overall solution will be presented. How users can dynamically secure and control PDF files containing sensitive information will be discussed. Case studies from real-world users will frame an interactive dialog about user experiences, lessons learned and best practices.
Jim Merry, Adobe Systems

Examining Characteristics of 3D XML and CGR Files to Support Collaboration
A project conducted with a large aerospace firm which examined the conversion, loading, transportation of vendor-supported "standard" file formats across and network, and interaction with 3D XML files as compared to CGR files within CATIA will be presented. Project activities, issues encountered, and recommendations will be discussed.
Nathan Hartman, Purdue University

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Renaissance Room

8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Panel: Multi-CAD Interoperability & Collaboration – Ask the Vendors
Moderator: David Prawel, Longview Advisors
Big changes may be coming. Autodesk and Parametric Technology (PTC) recently announced they are partnering to tackle the issues of interoperability between their products and file formats. This panel brings together the market leading CAD vendors to discuss their interoperability strategies and solutions. Each vendor will briefly present their strategy and solutions, followed by moderated questions and answers. This panel is sure to yield some exciting audience interaction.
Panelists
Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk
Asa Trainer, PTC
Aaron Kelly, Solidworks
Dassault Systemes

9:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m.
Product Lifecycle Interoperability
Three Key Ingredients For Cross-PDM Interoperability
Business Process Management (BPM), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and PDM/PLM information standards are now at a point where cross PDM interoperability is a viable option. How these can come together in a symbiotic way to foster heterogeneous PDM interoperability solutions will be presented. Concept definition, how they connect together from a logical systems architecture perspective, benefits, and risks associated with implementing Cross-PDM Interoperability will be discussed.
Fredrick Bsharah, Ford Motor Company

Simple, Automated and Controlled Engineering Data Exchange for Buyers
To automate CAD, data processing and communication to and from suppliers, Bentley Motors and Red Bull Racing have deployed new translation software. This case study will reference the situation prior to deployment, the target, and current "as is" situation post deployment. ROI calculations and benefits achieved by Bentley, Red Bull Racing and their suppliers will be discussed.
Martyn Davies, Autoweb

An Appeal for Non-Proprietary Interface Standards for Design to Process Planning
Widely implemented non-proprietary interface standards (NPIS) could eliminate incompatibilities between CAD and manufacturing process planning (PP). Efforts required from users and suppliers for successful NPIS will be discussed including a report on progress defining NPIS for CAD to PP for inspection process and planning as well as several organizations working on them.
John Horst, NIST

Collaboration Management
Geometry is Easier to Comprehend than Language
CAD geometry data is neither as nuanced nor ambiguous as human language since it is a mathematical expression to begin with. By way of comparison, current artificial intelligence algorithms interpret human language at about 40% of human effectiveness. This presentation discusses the feasibility of applying AI techniques to "smartify" dumb geometry.
Steven Thomas, Boeing

Realizing Cost Savings with STEP-Based Data Exchange for the Humvee
Results from a pilot project conducted by the US Army to validate and demonstrate the use of STEP standards for PDM interoperability will be presented. Conducted on the Army's Humvee vehicle with AM General Corporation, the pilot showed that product structures, metadata and associated content files such as Unigraphics 3D models can be exchanged between Teamcenter Engineering and Windchill PDMLink. The problem statement, solution requirements, implementation approach, results and conclusions as well as potential cost savings will be discussed.
Raj Iyer, US Army Tank Automotive R&D Center

Solving the IP Paradox: How to Enable Global Business without Jeopardizing IP
As the circles of product design partners widen, global business requires more frequent, more detailed communication about products. Protecting the design know-how and securing the competitive edge is one of the top business directives. Therefore, there is a growing need to build a process for managing, controlling and revealing enough product intelligence that allows streamline design and manufacturing process, while making sure IP is not jeopardized. Defining the strategy and technological solution to achieve the fine balance will be discussed.
Alex Shapira, Proficiency

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch on the Show Floor

1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Panel: Light-Weight 3D Formats – Ask The Vendors
Moderator: David Prawel, Longview Advisors
The new generation of light-weight 3D file formats is upon us - Acrobat 3D, DWF, JT, 3D XML, XVL - and they're poised to add real value in supply chain and downstream interoperability and collaboration. This panel is a rare opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion with the vendors of these important formats. The moderator will ask a few initial questions, and then the panelists will take questions from the audience. This is your chance to ask the tough questions, and take major steps in working out your interoperability and collaboration strategies.
Panelists
Jim Merry, Adobe Systems
Bill Barnes, Lattice Technologies
Jonathan Knowles, Autodesk
Aaron Kelly, Solidworks
Dassault Systemes
UGS

Sponsors of Interoperability and 3D Collaboration include Trans Magic, Kubotek, DS Spatial, Prostep, Datakit, Elysium, ConnectPress Ltd., The CAD Society and PDES Inc. For further information on Interoperability and 3D Collaboration, including travel and lodging and online registration, visit www.sme.org/interop/.

About SME
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world’s leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing practitioners and executives annually. The Society, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2007, has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of technical communities and chapters worldwide, including nine chapters in Canada. To learn more about SME, please visit our web site at www.sme.org.

Contact:
        Alex Yovanovich
        SME Public Relations
        (313) 717-2091
         Email Contact
 

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