Creo Parametric Behavioral Modeling Extension

Design automation for various design goals with PTC Creo Parametric Behavioral Modeling Extension (BMX)

Personally I believe that  everyone who actively designs products for today’s highly competitive and optimized market knows the problem of determining the optimal combination of different dimensions and parameters. Of course, there is always the possibility of trial-and-error. In simple situations, this may still be applicable.

But at the latest, when it comes to combinations that are in the triple-digit decimal range, it will be difficult for us humans. With Behavioral Modeling Extension, Creo Parametric (formerly Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire) offers the ability to provide top-level tools exactly in these situations.

Let’s take a look at the functions of the PTC Creo Parametric Behavioral Modeling Extension (BMX) in a simple example:

Our job as a designer today is to design a bottle. This bottle should have 1 l capacity – or even a bit more. In addition, we would like level markings at 0.5 l and 1 l. Our bottle must not be higher than 200 millimeters and must not exceed 115 mm in diameter. The silhouette of our bottle was given to us by a designer and follows a non-regular or no cylindrical shape. This means that even a normal volume calculation would involve a considerable effort. Now, of course, a volume calculation is absolutely nothing special anymore.

In the screenshot below you can see that I have modelled the bottle and already prepared it with the volume of the liquid. The filling level of the bottle is controlled via the fill level.

First, we look at how changing a parameter affects the volume of the bottle. We can do this through a sensitivity study. To this end, we tell the tool that, on the one hand, it should measure the volume and on the other hand, which parameter should be analyzed. In our case, this is the measurement “volume” that we have placed as a feature in the model tree and the sketch dimension “d56:FLASCHE”. For “d56:FLASCHE” we now specify the range spanning from 100mm to 115mm and in how many segments the analysis should be carried out; we set that on 20.

The result is shown in the graph at the top right of the screenshot. Roughly above the thumb we see that the change of the parameter “d56:FLASCHE” by 3 millimeters leads to a change in volume by about 50 milliliters. The change is linear here; if we were to change an angle here, we could see a progressive or degressive change in volume.

Next, we’ll look at how to place the level marker at exactly 0.5 l. With a rule geometry, this would not be a problem, but here we would have to try a lot until the result would fit. With the Creo BMX, however, this is now a very, very small problem.

To do this, we first give the “Feasibility Study” tool which dimension it can change. In our example, this is only a single measure, of course you can use as many as you like here.

We use the measure “d7:BLOG_BMX”, which controls the offset of the level “fill level”; this also references the sketch that creates the level stroke. Next, we use the “volume” measurement from our sensitivity study. We stipulate here that our volume should be exactly 500,000 mm3.  You can see in the screenshot what exactly I have specified.

After the study is connected, we see that the dimension “d7:BLOG_BMX” has been set to exactly 122.917 mm.

As you can see, it is very easy to actually create a perfect result for our level with the Creo Parametric – Behavioral Modelling Extension (BMX). For a simple bottle maybe a bit of overkill, but definitely an illustrative example.

But think more about the complex problems you can manage with this. As a brief extended example, I would like to show you an oil tank. This belongs to a snowmobile from Polaris. In the study here, there are 5 different design variables – including one angle and 2 design conditions – that we want to achieve.

The initial situation is a very limited construction space, which allows only little margin.

We would like to have our capacity larger than or equal to 3.71 l. At the same time, a filling line should be placed at 1.19 l. I think it is already clear that this task would either take a great deal of time for a human being or lead to a suboptimal result.

As complexity increases, we quickly move into areas that are no longer feasible for us humans.

Finally, I would like to present a small but quite helpful tool of the Behavioral Modelling Extension. The performance monitoring gives me the possibility to monitor one or more measured values in my design. If one of these values does not match the specified range, I will see it immediately and always visibly. As an example, we use the absolute height of our bottle.

I think every designer knows this: you construct like that and think, “Oh, that turned out well,” only to say, “Oops, I didn’t meet my two construction conditions.”

As I construct, I see the display of the power monitoring at the bottom right in the form of a pulse line. This is either green or red depending on the status.

Let’s summarize what we have learned. How can the PTC Creo Behavioral Modelling Extension (BMX) help your team?

The ability to innovate more by simply experimenting with numerous scenarios that meet your design criteria
Clear understanding of the impact of design changes and preventing inconsistent behavior in your designs

 

Lower product costs by optimizing design for multiple goals, e.g. reducing product weight while maintaining strength
Very high time savings due to automatic design iterations according to design requirements
Lower error rate by directly integrating the results of external tools into the design work, without tedious manual data transfers

Why not try Creo Parametric Behavioral Modelling Extension (BMX) yourself and convince yourself of the advantages of PTC Creo Parametric (formerly Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire)? Don’t have a Creo Parametric yet? Just contact us or arrange a demo appointment with us. We will also be happy to show you our examples live and support you in optimizing your internal design process.

For more information, contact us here.

PTC’s Vuforia – Top 5 use cases

Our top 5 Vuforia use cases from our experts
In this post our very own Vuforia Experts here at PDSVISION will break down, what we feel, are the PTC’s Vuforia – Top 5 use cases and features (like Vuforia Instruct and Vuforia Expert Capture).

PTC’s Vuforia platform comprises of multiple different products, that span a wide range of use cases. Some of these products focus specifically on particular problems, while others take a broader and more diverse approach.
Remote assistance
We can’t ignore this one. Augmented Reality has a huge impact on how businesses can work remotely, both with their own workforces and with their customers. We have all seen the use of new tools such as Microsoft teams throughout the pandemic and how critical they have been to keep the commercial world running. AR offers another level of interaction that is not only more engaging but in certain situations, safer, faster and more accurate.

Howden equipped their local service teams with Vuforia Chalk and tablets to communicate with remote product experts. When a problem emerges, the product teams can triage problems and troubleshoot issues in real-time via shared video and audio from the support team. Experts see exactly what the service team is looking at and can provide instructions by drawing digital annotations on the shared, real-world environment. Because Chalk’s digital annotations are anchored to the technician’s view, multi-step solutions are easy to follow and the potential for mistakes and miscommunication is greatly reduced.
Knowledge Transfer
Keeping up to date in today’s modern world is hard. Products and processes are becoming more complex and highly critical. Missing deadlines and not moving fast enough are big issues for a lot of companies. Keeping your workforce clued up with the latest training and operating procedures is of high importance to any manufacturing company. Combine this with bringing in new staff and getting them up to speed fast, only adds to the task at hand.

PTC’s Vuforia Work Instructions offer a revolutionary new way to create and consume work procedures, by combining step by step instructions with Augmented Reality and tailoring them to the specific requirements of any business. Vuforia offers two different solutions for work instructions; Vuforia Instruct and Vuforia Expert Capture. These two solutions are built on the Atlas Platform and therefore share capabilities like:

Reporting and analysis
Delivery of work instructions to the front-line on the new Vuforia Vantage app
Verification that tasks have been completed and that they’ve been completed correctly
Simplified editing
One-click publishing across device formats
Access control and content management

With both of these products in place customers are seeing huge benefits in areas like reduction of scrap and rework, reduced training costs, improved quality and a faster on-boarding process.
Sales and Marketing
Differentiating yourself from the competition and keeping costs to a minimum will surely appeal to all businesses. PDSVISION’ customers certainly think so and have been using AR as part of their sales and marketing processes since we introduced it to them nearly 3 years ago. Although the cat is out the bag when it comes to people knowing and having seen AR there is still huge potential within the space and we are only really just getting started.

Whether you want to digitalize your product, so that you can take it anywhere in the world with just your phone or tablet, bring up important information on a customer visit or just wow some spectators at a trade show. The Vuforia suit has that covered. With its wide range of target types, you have the ability to recognize flat surfaces, physical object, images and even entire spaces, like a factory floor. Armed with this sort of recognition power you really can implement AR everywhere in a business.
Speed deployment
Change and implementation is hard and PDSVISION’ experts understand this. That’s why we love our SaaS products. The likes of Vuforia Expert Capture, Vuforia Chalk and Vuforia Instruct all run directly in a browser. That means there is nothing to install or maintain. It’s a simple case of assigning users and handing out the URL.

You could have a business of 3,000 people and all be up and running within the hour. Gone are the days of having to worry about keeping all software across the business up to date and to the same version.
IoT link
Augmented Reality on its own has some serious power and grunt but we can also combine it with IoT (Internet of Things) data from our Thingworx platform and then you have a seriously hard hitter. Products like Vuforia Studio seamlessly integrate with Thingworx, which means you can pull through a vast array of data from sensors, databases, websites, shop floor tools or equipment. You can then use this content in your AR experiences, providing your users with more information to complete whatever task they have at hand.

Thingworx not only provides the data, but it can also analyze it. It could be checking for anomalies in an automated production line or simply making sure a boiler doesn’t get too hot. The power of IoT is vast and its capabilities are equal to that so that will have to be for another post.
Get in touch
Interested in finding out how Vuforia can assist your business?
Then get in touch with one of our experts!

The Handyman and The Gentleman – AR #3 – Working Hands Free

In my previous blog I explored with you how such a simple task as an onsite customer maintenance task or repair can cause unexpected problems, but in turn these problems can be resolved by using new applications such as PTC Vuforia Chalk.

The ability to empower a colleague with onsite skills as they are actually needed is already proving as we showed to be an achievable, practical, adoptable, and affordable reality.

But under more extreme, testing circumstances does the tech stand up to the task, or is the practical usage limited to a perfect, and set up scenario?



The first practical challenge is faced by us all at some time…. You need both hands.

Therefore, you need a flexible solution. One that can also keep field technicians safe and free from distraction. The impact on an individual’s safety if focused on the equipment, not the task an every day reality for many industries. The ability for your AR solution to be functional via a device that does not compromise safety is not just a practical desire or wish  – it is vital need that requires delivery from day one.

You cannot utilise such an application whilst in a confined space if the equipment to use it is cucumber some, heavy or non-uniform in size.

Even a basic, non-safety issue like where to source the power to drive the application, is not one of concern if the application can be delivered via a device that can run reliably and independently of external power.

In the past the drain on a cell phone battery may have stopped this in its tracks – but todays phones power far more consuming applications as standard – Chalk is not going to kill your phone mid task.

The uplift in the benefits AR can bring to Health and Safety are going to be cancelled out if an a Technician finds themselves having to maintain hazardous machinery or working in such environments if the equipment used to power it requires in depth configuration and monitoring.

So simply, as my previous videos in the series shows [ Available on YouTube here ], by utilising nothing more than a pocket sized mobile phone you can ensure Vuforia Chalk works in many situations and environment’s. But, the issue of working with two hands also becomes relevant – Hands free is the answer.

So simply, as my video shows – By utilising nothing more than a pocket sized mobile phone you can ensure PTC Vuforia Chalk can be used in most environment’s. Simply utilising a phones own accessories we use today, the issue of two hands also becomes obsolete – Hands free is the answer.

This is where headsets come into play.

Headsets are no longer an expensive and luxurious item with questionable durability. An ever increasing range of non-gaming headsets is creating more competition and as a result more accessible choice for the consumer.

Durability improves with every new edition, but as we show in the video – already durable enough for outdoor maintenance.

The additional headset enhances this simple application into a tool that takes care of the need to use one hand to use it, and another to carry out the tasks.

You can watch as a colleague works on an identical model in one location, and implement it directly onto yours. Not via a cucumber some laptop – via your phone and the accessories it comes equipped with as standard.

The combined with the ability  to enable experts to mark up a technician’s live view with callouts pointing to specific details, dangers, or steps to take to avoid errors and accidents makes Vuforia Chalk a practical solution to safety maintenance as well as ensuring the safety of the user.

I have not mentioned the benefits of sound as yet – But this too is an important and practical function, with a lot of focus in future development.  Audio prompts are already a workable feature and as Chalk itself is updated –  sound also will increase in user functionality.

So, not only is Vuforia a practical solution to onsite maintenance and safety, it is in itself an aid to worker safety by its ability to aid a technician without compromise, distraction or complicated set ups.

As they video shows – AR  is a practical solution in real life, and no longer just showroom concept. Vuforia Chalk has been a fundamental driver behind this change.

If you’d like to unwrap the potential of AR to help your organisation with its Digital Transformation, no need to write a wish list – contact us here. 

Regards

Pontus