There simply is no other way to efficiently handle technically sophisticated products and ensure a short time to market. CAD data management concerns itself with structured storage, not just using a file system, but in an organized and structured fashion. Making this knowledge readily available across the enterprise is one of the key pillars of CAD data management, which in turn requires integrated item and parts management to really make a difference.ĬAD data not only includes CAD models, drawings, and bills of materials, it also extends to CAD-related information such as specifications, calculations, production notes (NC programs), routings, assembly information and much more. Mechanical drawings, however, are nowhere near enough to describe a product: mechatronic components, software (whose share in products is ever increasing), instruction manuals, and other accompanying documents serve as additional information carriers.

The drawing numbers, part descriptions, change status, or material ID that CAD designers need are stored in a database and made available for research and change processes. Many CAD systems still come with more or less rudimentary features that allow us to store and retrieve CAD data.

The advent of CAD systems such as AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Creo, Solid Edge, NX or SolidWorks enabled users to create their technical drawings electronically, which consequently meant that they had to find a way to manage these drawings and the information that went along with them.

Creo data management