Product Manufacturing Information
Encyclopedia
Product and manufacturing information, also abbreviated PMI, conveys non-geometric attributes in 3D computer-aided design
(CAD) and Collaborative Product Development
systems necessary for manufacturing product components or subsystems. PMI may include geometric dimensions and tolerances
, 3D annotation (text) and dimensions, surface finish, and material specifications. CAD application literature may also refer to PMI synonymously with Geometric Dimensions and Tolerances (GD&T) or Functional Tolerancing and Annotation (FT&A).
Industry standards for defining PMI include ASME Y14.41-2003 Digital Product Data Definition Practices
and ISO
1101:2004 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) -- Geometrical tolerancing -- Tolerances of form, orientation, location and run-out.
In an effort to unify the visualization of PMI across the different existing solutions, Adobe Systems
has released a version of the Myriad CAD font that allows to display PMI from almost any CAD application. Similarly, Siemens PLM Software
offers downloadable font sets for multiple languages such as for Asian character sets. The ISO 10303
STEP standards also handle a wide range of PMI information.
The PMI annotation is created on the 3D CAD model, associated to edges and faces, and can be exported into neutral formats such as Siemens JT and ISO 10303
STEP. This information can then be used by a number of down-stream processes. Although PMI can be used to generate annotation on a traditional 2D drawing the data can be visualized within the 3D model by other departments, either in the CAD/CAM system or in a 3D Product visualization tool, thus reducing the need for drawings. Some 3D model formats enable computer-aided manufacturing
software to access PMI directly for CNC programming. The PMI also may be used by tolerance analysis and Coordinate-measuring machine
(CMM) software applications if the modeling application permits.
PMI items are often organized under PMI Views. A PMI View is a view including camera/view position and also the particular state of the assembly (visibility, rendering mode, sometime even position of each element of the assembly). CAD applications have different notions of PMI Views (for instance "Capture Views" and "Annotation
Views" are specific to Dassault Systems Catia
, etc).
For anyone to be able to display any kind of PMI View, Adobe Systems
has unified their format and added their description to the PDF format (version 1.7).
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
(CAD) and Collaborative Product Development
Collaborative Product Development
Collaborative product development is a business strategy, work process and collection of software applications that facilitates different organizations to work together on the development of a product...
systems necessary for manufacturing product components or subsystems. PMI may include geometric dimensions and tolerances
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing is a system for defining and communicating engineering tolerances. It uses a symbolic language on engineering drawings and computer-generated three-dimensional solid models for explicitly describing nominal geometry and its allowable variation...
, 3D annotation (text) and dimensions, surface finish, and material specifications. CAD application literature may also refer to PMI synonymously with Geometric Dimensions and Tolerances (GD&T) or Functional Tolerancing and Annotation (FT&A).
Industry standards for defining PMI include ASME Y14.41-2003 Digital Product Data Definition Practices
ASME Y14.41-2003
- What is ASME Y14.41 :The American Society of Mechanical Engineers issued the first version of this industrial standard on Aug 15, 2003. It was immediately adopted by several industrial organizations, as well as the Department of Defense...
and ISO
International Organization for Standardization
The International Organization for Standardization , widely known as ISO, is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on February 23, 1947, the organization promulgates worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial...
1101:2004 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) -- Geometrical tolerancing -- Tolerances of form, orientation, location and run-out.
In an effort to unify the visualization of PMI across the different existing solutions, Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
has released a version of the Myriad CAD font that allows to display PMI from almost any CAD application. Similarly, Siemens PLM Software
Siemens PLM Software
Siemens PLM Software is a computer software company specializing in 3D & 2D Product Lifecycle Management software. The company is a business unit of Siemens Industry Automation division, and is headquartered in Plano, Texas....
offers downloadable font sets for multiple languages such as for Asian character sets. The ISO 10303
ISO 10303
ISO 10303 is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product manufacturing information. Its official title is: Automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange...
STEP standards also handle a wide range of PMI information.
The PMI annotation is created on the 3D CAD model, associated to edges and faces, and can be exported into neutral formats such as Siemens JT and ISO 10303
ISO 10303
ISO 10303 is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product manufacturing information. Its official title is: Automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange...
STEP. This information can then be used by a number of down-stream processes. Although PMI can be used to generate annotation on a traditional 2D drawing the data can be visualized within the 3D model by other departments, either in the CAD/CAM system or in a 3D Product visualization tool, thus reducing the need for drawings. Some 3D model formats enable computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...
software to access PMI directly for CNC programming. The PMI also may be used by tolerance analysis and Coordinate-measuring machine
Coordinate-measuring machine
A coordinate measuring machine is a device for measuring the physical geometrical characteristics of an object. This machine may be manually controlled by an operator or it may be computer controlled. Measurements are defined by a probe attached to the third moving axis of this machine...
(CMM) software applications if the modeling application permits.
PMI items are often organized under PMI Views. A PMI View is a view including camera/view position and also the particular state of the assembly (visibility, rendering mode, sometime even position of each element of the assembly). CAD applications have different notions of PMI Views (for instance "Capture Views" and "Annotation
Views" are specific to Dassault Systems Catia
Catia
Catia may refer to*Catia - neighbourhood of Caracas*Catia La Mar - Venezuelan town*Catia - a family in Ancient Rome*Catia - type of butterfly*CATIA...
, etc).
For anyone to be able to display any kind of PMI View, Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
has unified their format and added their description to the PDF format (version 1.7).