ECAD-MCAD data exchange with MECODES
ECAD and MCAD designers collaborate within their own environments with MECODES. The collaboration relies on the open ProSTEP EDMD schema (ECAD design and MCAD design) for the incremental exchange of PCB layout changes between MCAD and ECAD tools and enables ECAD and MCAD teams to collaborate synchronized.
Effective collaboration environment
To establish an effective collaboration environment it is necessary to define a protocol which is specific for the process of multi-domain collaboration. The common electromechanical tasks depend on the model exchange protocols which are based on standard industry protocols and contain different model related information.
The EDMD protocol IDX is developed in order to increase the level of interoperability between the ECAD and MCAD domains. It is initiated by Mentor Graphics and supported by a consortium of vendors worldwide and lead by the ProSTEP iVIP in Darmstadt.
Picture: Initial Baseline in Mechatronic product development
Improve the quality and time
The IDX (Interdomain Design Exchange) XML schema, replaces the two older exchange formats which can only represent parts of the required data; DXF (Drawing Interchange Format) and IDF (Intermediate Data Format).
The basic difference is that IDX ECAD/MCAD collaboration is based on incremental changes, which enable ECAD and MCAD designers to work simultaneously in their authoring tools and exchange only data which they have to (exchange mutual data). The result is dramatically decreased development time, improved quality and reduced time to market.
MECODES made a step further where the model exchange is enhanced with features which make the collaboration much easier on top of EDMD protocol collaboration. MECODES uses the EDMD/IDX data model for incremental design changes where synchronization is guided and further enhanced. Data from the logical ECAD model is transferred correctly to the CATIA V5 or CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE environment. Such synchronization allows engineers to see detailed data from opposite domains which are used are important for design purposes.
Picture: Incremental changes when using MECODES
With MECODES, users can work with EDMD collaboration history, unique ECAD/MCAD library management, multi PCB development with multi ECAD design, all in same time. For example, CATIA 3D designer can work simultaneously with more PCBs and ECAD vendors, at the same time. CATIA 3D designer can work on one PCB in assembly with ECAD engineer who uses Mentor/Siemens PADS or PADS Professional or Xpedition software and on the second PCB (on the same assembly) with ECAD engineer who uses Cadence Allegro or Orcad. Additionally, CATIA 3D designer can work on third PCB (on the same assembly as well) on which he can collaborate with ECAD colleague who works in Altium Designer. These unique capabilities enable MCAD designer in CATIA V5/3DEXPERIENCE to communicate and work much efficient with all ECAD engineers and avoid mistakes and iterations in design. The result is much faster and cost-effective development, the product is much more reliable, and time to market is significantly shorted.
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