CAD Instruction

Here you will find explanations of the CATIA V5 design methodology, start model (s), CATIA settings, drawing standards, start models and the Q-Checker check profile.

KÄRCHER CATIA V5 Design Methodology

of Firma Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG

CATIA V5 Design Methodology

Methodology for handling CATIA V5 for external partner.

Documents for Design Methodology

• Handbook for Methology

• Q-Checker Criteria

• Document for KÄRCHER start model

Design Data

Requirement

Surfaces that have been provided by external designers must be given an Offset in V5 so that you can get a thin-walled solid (shell element). 

Problem description

In V5 the offset often does not work on complex surfaces. Errors are resulting from an offset value that is larger than the smallest radius/ transition. Further, problems are also occurring in the geometry areas with many small faces.

Source data

The type of the source data has an effect on its usability.

If the source data is provided as V5 part with a dead surface, then there are definitely no gaps in the surface but the high number of faces makes it difficult to offset.

If the source data is read as igs-file in V5, then you get many individual surfaces.There are often gaps between these surfaces and these need to be repaired. There are often lesser problems in offset after the repairs.

The option of reading the source data via Alias and then coverting it to V5 is also being investigated.far, the igs data read in V5 is showing the best usability.

Quality of the source data

General aspects

Good usability of the source data requires good quality of surface data. External designers should check the surfaces for their offsetting properties using a specific value.

In case of mirror-symmetric part, they should deliver only one half.

The Design group has to yet define the exact requirements. The option of using quality control mechanisms such as Q-Checker are also being investigated.

The goal is to receive from external designers a coherent, offset-enabled sleeve surface in a V5 part.

Requirements to be fulfilled by external designers

It is necessary to set the following requirements:

• The number of surfaces should not increase on account of converting 

• If possible, also provide the offset surface

• The functional surfaces and surfaces for detailling should be provided in two separate files - raw data set and detail data set.

• Requirements for raw data set:

  • Only surfaces with radii greater than the wall thickness

  • No mini surfaces (inner circular diameter greater than 5/10mm) that cannot be offsetted 

  • No surfaces for detailing such as icons, decorative nuts, etc .

  • Deformation and surface or plane for tool separation should be included 

• The detail record includes all radii and decorations 

Verification of external data

The quality of the source data and the conformance to the specified requirements using the Q-checker:

• Check whether individual surfaces or a group of surfaces do not have any gaps (small openings < 3/10mm) 

• Check whether radii/ curves of the surfaces do not fall below a specific value - also make a distinction between raw record and detail record 

• Check that the length of the surface edges or the surface contents of the individual faces do not fall below a specific value; distinguish between raw record and detail record 

Other requirements/ validations are yet to be finalised. For e.g. the conformance to a specified structure.

The Q-Checker and its options can be presented in a demo.

Structuring

In V5, the complete log of super-ordinate surfaces is retained while generating and trimming - as a result, the sub-ordinate geometry is automatically updated whenever the super-ordinate surface is updated.

• For reasons of clarity, the designer should group the individual surface areas in open bodies according to the function and position .

• A separate open body should be inserted for each project (part surface, …).

• It is necessary to ensure that the open bodies are assigned unique names.

• Generated (sketches), auxiliary elements (lines) and resulting elements (surface groups) should be created separately in different open bodies.

Generally, the part structure should be classified into input, solid and output areas.

Preparation / Treatment

Structuring

After reading the igs file, the surfaces and curves should be classified into separate open bodies (using Edit/Search, Copy and Paste, Delete the original elements). Additional open bodies should be inserted even for subsequent operations or specific geometry areas, see above. This will provide a better overview. Further, specific elements or areas can be hidden at once.

Generate solid

If a joined offset surface has been created, then the outer and offset surfaces are filled with volume in two different bodies using Close Surface. See chapter Working with multiple bodies in the Basic methodology document.

The lower surface is thickened by the internal volume so that the inner body projects out of the outer body from below and the bodies are drawn away from each other.

CAD Settings and Environment

CATIA V5 Version

The following CATIA version is now in use:

• CATIA V5-6R2022 SP03 HF27

• Q-Checker 5.10.0

• Windows 10 64 bit

• Lizenzen: HD2, MD2, SMD (other licenses only after agreement)

CATIA Settings

Here are the CATIA Settings (2023-10-27)

• unpack in CATReferenceSettingPath of your environment

Drafting Standard

• Here are the Drafting Standards (2023-10-27)

• save as Kaercher.xml under CATCollectionStandard of your environment

Startmodels and Q-Checker check profiles

• Here is the CATIA CATPart startmodel (2023-07-25)

• Here are the QChecker check profiles(2024-06-06)