I am putting together a proposal to improve the way in which my company creates Pro/E master models for large project. At the moment, we are using the wild west approach and it has caused some serious issues with both drawing/model consistency and prototype parts. To help clean things up, I am trying to put together a list of fundamental rules that must be followed to make sure we keep things from getting out of hand again. Here is what I have so far:
1. At the beginning of each project, a master model architect is assigned to maintain the master model and verify that it meets the remaining rules throughout the project.
2. Every master model should begin with a true skeleton model with basic layout information.
3. There should be no models created outside of the master model. For example, do not create a model for the sole purpose of making a drawing view.
4. The master model should be structured exactly the same as the manufacturing/engineering BOM.
5. Extra assembly/subassembly levels that do not exist in the BOM are strictly forbidden.
6. Part quantity in the model should match the manufacturing/engineering BOM. Flexible components, mechanism, and family tables should be utilized to make this possible. Placing the same component multiple times to show range of motion is forbidden.
7. Assembly models should be created using the master model coordinate system. This means that when the assembly is placed in the master model using the “DEFAULT” constraint, it should assemble to the correct location.
8. Drawings should be created using only the part/assembly model of interest. If a background view is needed to clarify how a part or assembly is used, the master model should be utilized to make the background view and the part/assembly view should be aligned over top of the background view.
9. When a background view is created using the master model, a Simplified Rep should be created in the master model and named according to the drawing in which it was used.
10. Before building prototypes, a design freeze is required and a prototype master model snapshot must be created. This is done by renaming the working copy of the master model (including all parts, but excluding standard parts) with a suffix designating the prototype build number. For example, first prototype parts would get a P1 suffix. After renaming is complete, the prototype master model should be set Read Only. The working copy of the master model will not have suffix and is the only copy that should be modified at any time during the design process. Note: This step was added because there are no clean breaks between prototypes in the current process. This has caused many issues in which the designer is working on a new design but referencing old prototype parts without knowing.
If anyone has additional rules or arguments against my current list of rules, I would love to hear them.
1. At the beginning of each project, a master model architect is assigned to maintain the master model and verify that it meets the remaining rules throughout the project.
2. Every master model should begin with a true skeleton model with basic layout information.
3. There should be no models created outside of the master model. For example, do not create a model for the sole purpose of making a drawing view.
4. The master model should be structured exactly the same as the manufacturing/engineering BOM.
5. Extra assembly/subassembly levels that do not exist in the BOM are strictly forbidden.
6. Part quantity in the model should match the manufacturing/engineering BOM. Flexible components, mechanism, and family tables should be utilized to make this possible. Placing the same component multiple times to show range of motion is forbidden.
7. Assembly models should be created using the master model coordinate system. This means that when the assembly is placed in the master model using the “DEFAULT” constraint, it should assemble to the correct location.
8. Drawings should be created using only the part/assembly model of interest. If a background view is needed to clarify how a part or assembly is used, the master model should be utilized to make the background view and the part/assembly view should be aligned over top of the background view.
9. When a background view is created using the master model, a Simplified Rep should be created in the master model and named according to the drawing in which it was used.
10. Before building prototypes, a design freeze is required and a prototype master model snapshot must be created. This is done by renaming the working copy of the master model (including all parts, but excluding standard parts) with a suffix designating the prototype build number. For example, first prototype parts would get a P1 suffix. After renaming is complete, the prototype master model should be set Read Only. The working copy of the master model will not have suffix and is the only copy that should be modified at any time during the design process. Note: This step was added because there are no clean breaks between prototypes in the current process. This has caused many issues in which the designer is working on a new design but referencing old prototype parts without knowing.
If anyone has additional rules or arguments against my current list of rules, I would love to hear them.
