Data Exchange and Management Between Inventor, AutoCAD Electrical, and Vault

GOKHAN KAYA: Hi. Hi, everyone. Today, together with Melike, we will talk about workflow for AutoCAD Electrical and interoperability across into the Inventor, cable, and harness environment and data management with Autodesk Vault. Yes, before I start our presentation, I would like to introduce myself. I am a mechanical engineer and Autodesk expert aide. I have been studying the master's degree on dynamic of machines at mechanical engineering. I have been working at Proto Altar Comm Systems Company as a technical team leader and consulting since 2007. I have given design-related courses at various universities in Turkey.

I live in Istanbul. I have a pretty family with a wife and a son. I love my family, and I am hardworking, and I get on well with my colleagues. I have experience in MFG, PDM, and PRM.

Let me introduce to my colleague, Melike Ozdemir. Please, Melike.

MELIKE OZDEMIR: Thank you, Gokhan. Hi, everyone. I'm Melike Ozdemir. I would like to briefly introduce myself. I am mechatronic engineer. I hold a bachelor's degree in mechatronic engineering from Marmara University and maritime transportation and management engineering from Istanbul Technical University. I have six years of experience in presales and postsales, and six of them were in technical sales.

My first professional experience was working as process at a SolidWorks reseller, and my last role was working as a presales and technical support specialist at Autodesk Platinum Partner Prota in Turkey. I have been working at Autodesk since mid-July as a technical sales specialist at E&M and my main areas of expertise are in Inventor, AutoCAD Electrical, Fusion 360, and Vault.

Out of work, I enjoy fitness and rowing. I'm also dedicated to feeding the street animals and visiting animal shelters. And I have my own family of two cats and a dog.

And I was actually working at the Autodesk Platinum Partner Prota when I applied to Autodesk University. And Gokhan was my colleague. I had the workflow between AutoCAD Electrical and Inventory that I've been working on for a while. After seeing my work, Gokhan said it would be great to attend Autodesk university together.

And at that time, I said, why don't we include Vault in this topic? And we implemented the plan related to this workflow. Now, working at Autodesk, it is a pleasure to make this presentation to you with my former colleague.

What's on our agenda? We are talking about the transition from design to production, how it all starts. Will 2D design data be sufficient without 3D? Let the computer do it. And, cooperation, the lifeline of ideas.

OK, during the presentation, we are going to talk about the subject below-- data exchange between AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor, link regime for AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor components, and synchronizing AutoCAD Electrical data with Vault, and managing AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor data with Vault Professional. OK, so how do we go from design to production? As we all know, it's been 30 years since AutoCAD was released. In this process, there were significant innovations and changes in design, production, and product development.

Every day, we work on the platform. We develop our skills. And, as Autodesk, we work on product improvements that contribute minor benefits to this significant change.

We make the design process that used to be with pencil and paper in the past more realistic and understandable with 3D design data, visualize, and animations. Now, we close our eyes and bring the ideas that come to life in our minds to reality at the end of the day. How did it all start?

The design journey that starts with the first line is a process that continues until the approval of the final product. For instance, when designing an electrical board, we start with the schematic drawing, bring the model to life with its 3D design, and manage workflow with product data management. ACAD supports our design adventure which started with AutoCAD Electrical by using Inventor and Vault to reveal the final product and put it into production.

OK, let's say we produce a machine. Of course, we are thinking about how we can increase the production speed. If we can create a correct workflow, why not? So how can we do this?

There are sections with various tasks in the mechanical design of a machine, like an engine, hydraulics, piping, valve construction, et cetera. In addition, there are some sections which are recurred-- electronic design, control board, stop button, operation board, et cetera. Because the design of machine does not only consist of mechanical design, the 2D drawing of a board is not enough for assembly and wiring to be understandable in the field. But matching the 2D schematic drawings with the 3D design will be very helpful in getting accurate results during production and assembly.

Could 2D design be sufficient without 3D? What do you think? We can synchronize a 2D schematic electrical drawings which our 3D assemblies. So what are the advantages of this synchronization?

We can define our similar pins, transfer our wire types. We can share the product information of our 2D and 3D elements by synchronizing our libraries and also get our from tool lists for our wires. And we can do automatic wiring by importing the cable information between terminals to AutoCAD Electrical. And we can synchronize location and installation information.

So what steps should we follow? What preparations should we make before starting the workflow between AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor? This starts by creating links on the AutoCAD electromechanical base. And we create a folder. And we continue synchronization by matching the links with each other in the Inventor assembly environment.

Next step is matching libraries in Inventor. We match the library fields we use in AutoCAD Electrical with our library in Inventor because we will send the 3D design of 2D components to our library. OK, preparation stage are important steps for us. Afterwards, we will continue with our model and related synchronizations.

OK, let's play these steps to our model. Today, we are going to examine the control board. It has buttons on it.

I am opening the model in AutoCAD Electrical. I am choosing the Project and Upload File. And I'm creating links on electromechanical-based match with Inventor.

I am opening my model in the assembly environment on an electromechanical base in Inventor and matching it with the link that I created before. I am selecting my file to link, and I'm seeing the name of my project. Then I am opening the location. I will match the three parts in the Inventor Assembly with the icons I use in electrical. That will provide us with location and product information.

I am finding the part in the Inventor environment. I check what name it has from the Model Browser. Then, I am finding the name of that part from the list in the location list.

I am right-clicking and selecting Assign to Existing in Assembly. After the pairing is finished, I am clicking on the Synchronization sign, and I am saving and updating the file. And I switch to AutoCAD Electrical. And again, I'm pressing the Synchronization button at AutoCAD Electrical, and the information about all my matching parts come here.

Now it is time for the library. In Inventor, I am choosing the AutoCAD Electrical Catalog Browser and checking my catalog information in Settings. Then I am copying the parts that I used in the assembly and that I want to reach from the library all the time. I am adding it to the Library folder, and now I am selecting parts that are not in the assembly but will be matched by calling them from the library.

I am clicking on Insert From Catalog Browser, and I am choosing the components to match from the library. Let's say I want to match a component in the library which is 3D drawing and use it every time I call it, or I want to change the existing 2D drawing. What should I do?

After choosing a name from the library, I am clicking on three points and I am choosing the part I want to match. Then I am clicking the Synchronization button again. I am also synchronizing in Electrical at the same time.

When the assembly of my buttons is done, it is time for firing. I can take advantage of Inventor's firing capabilities manually if I want. However, if we use the 2D design of electrical, we cannot get the actual cable length. The Inventor provides us with actual cable length information.

In this way we can add this information to a bill of materials, or we have final design, time on drawings and wire, which are drawn in AutoCAD Electrical. We can get our cable information in XML format with a single click. And we are creating our auto wires by synchronizing in Inventor matter with cable and harness system.

In AutoCAD Electrical, we can call a component either from the Icon menu or from the Catalog Browser. For example, let's say we call a button. We can see its a manufacturing information, catalog code, catalog information, and pin numbers. We can see which file it's on.

If we synchronize with Inventor, we can access this information in Inventor. I am looking at the data and detail in the location name. Here, I can see the wire number, location information, pin number, component type, manufacturer, and connections of my S1 component. If I click on the panel, I can see the list of all components in panel.

OK, we also need a technical drawing. I am clicking on the nail board and I am switching to the technical drawing environment in Inventor. It moves all the segments I select into the drawing environment. I can shorten it if I want. And now, I can use all the technical drawing skills of Inventor.

I can show the cable dimensions and add all the information I want with the property display feature-- cable ID, wire ID, pin ID, properties of cable, et cetera-- whatever we need. Besides, I can show the parts where the cables are connected. I use the Place Connector. We stop for this. Yes, we can see.

Thank you for listening. We have also completed the technical drawing creation step. The first two steps of our workflow are complete. You can contact me with my email address for any question about the subject. Now I'll leave the work to Gokhan for the integration with Vault parts. Gokhan?

GOKHAN KAYA: OK, Melike, thank you. Yes, let the computer do it. About Vault Professional. Vault Product Data Management Software integrates with Autodesk design tools and other CAD systems to keep everyone working from a central source of the organization data. Use Vault to increase the collaboration and streamline workflow across engineering, manufacturing, and extension teams.

In addition to automating these management and tracking change order process, Autodesk Vault Professional manages BOM and enables the sharing of design data with user onsite engineering and application suggests enterprise resource planning ERP software. Yes, effective collaboration between mechanical and electrical engineering teams can be challenging, but what if electrical and mechanical design could talk to each other? What if they think it reach each other?

That is electromechanical design between Inventor and AutoCAD electricals. Share updates information between electrical schematics and Inventor 3D models associated. All workflows with both in electromechanical will be as follows. Create electromechanical link, catalog management, create poll and management, set up AutoCAD electrical project, and create user defined-property and mapping. And at the last stage, managing the life cycle and revision process.

AutoCAD data BOM reports are expected to reflect conflicts BOM data including. An electrical-only components, Inventor-only components, electrical Inventor linked components. All reports add on options to include Inventor components only linked.

AutoCAD electrical is enabled to hand over the call plate. Electromechanical BOM to was item BOM in case 3D components are linked. Simple workflow to support common BOM for AutoCAD electrical and kits. Provides room for interior projects. AutoCAD electrical room is leading portion. The addition of 3D components to mechanical design is optional.

Component will be represented by different icons in the location with window according to their types you can see or to get electrical components as PLC1-GK. You want to component as 3D_G et cetera. And Inventor AutoCAD electrical component not linked as F2 component. Inventor AutoCAD electrical components linked as F1 settings.

Yes, let's first look at AutoCAD electrical BOM. Inventor can also be edit to get the electrical BOM. Trivial component is used to in electromechanical in both in Inventor and AutoCAD electrical and not linked. If there is no link between electrical model and Inventor model, it enlists us to lines. Example, Q1 component.

3D-G component is only one to model. The component is listed as single line. X20 component posts AutoCAD electrical and Inventor component are available and will appear as single line. Because there is a link between that.

If we look at the BOM in workflow, what results? Q1 will be listed in BOM as item. The 3D-G component will not fill this in one. Because it is an Inventor only model. If only Inventor model is available, these models are not listed in Vault path.

X developed to be list because it is a linked component. Thus electrical peel off materials all there is needed. In most cases, the AutoCAD electrical won't be the leading information based on the electrical components may be ordered.

In some cases, companies components get ordered based on the multiple. No need to development us to try to avoid doubles. We can add a property through force which reflect all the process. Sorry.

Yes. Extend the BOM with additional BOM row property and map I proper to treat. Based on the report template, you can easily extract the information for order process. Challenge, highlight a critical component order by mechanical BOM in electrical BOM to avoid that the components to order twice as soon as the component gets linked between AutoCAD electrical.

Eventually, the AutoCAD electrical property in the advantage can be used to provide the info back to Inventor to AutoCAD electrical. That's a specific component will be ordered through the mechanical BOM. Using the insulation as a kind of container to transfer the information to AutoCAD electrical, this field they call a BOM rule property and can be shown in AutoCAD electrical BOM reports and AutoCAD electrical process.

Yes. We want to send an electrical project to Vault. The following files are sent to Vault. Used in the project, all DWG files. wdt file, wdl file is description line mapping file. If electromechanical link is created, this file will be sent to server. But they will not be listed in the checking window. Exclude file types from workspace synchronization.

Now, let's look at an example BOM management. I am opening the 2D schematics file in AutoCAD electricals. Yes. Then my project is in Vault workspace. So I check electromechanical links, the address. Electromechanical link files, shared folders, and my assembly file address. They must be in the Vault working folders.

Now, I can see component states in location window. Some component is only Inventor model. Some components link between the 2D with 3D. And some components available in both cadet 2D and 3D, but not [INAUDIBLE].

I am creating to BOM report to materialist. I want to the immaterial model listed as one, when creating list. You can see an Inventor only model. And Inventor and AutoCAD electrical model.

Yes. Switch it's to image, we can see 3D models was on graphic section and in location web browsers. The problem may occur some parts might be ordered two times by mistake. Because part will be listed on the both BOMs. If the path is only model between Inventor and need to [INAUDIBLE], we can use a property.

For example, if we enter all the image for the installation property or to take 3D_G component parts on hardness properties being done, which is only modeled in Inventor. It will appear as information on the BOM. And then I'm saving the file and switching to AutoCAD electrical to synchronize and click synchronize button.

Then, we look to BOM again, as you see installation property Inventor modules ordered in mechanical. But two manage AutoCAD electrical and multiple project there. Therefore, I must first log in the Autodesk Vault. In the login dialog box do the following. For username enters, your ID. Password, for passwords, your passwords. For servers, server name and IP. And click OK.

When we look in AutoDesk Vaults, the icons will show the Vault status in the project manager window. I am selecting project caption on the project manager window. And I am sending it to Vault with checking all comments.

This is done with front initially. But you cannot see MX files. Guys, I'm seeing the Vault environments. Yes. We can easily access the information of the files in project history. Use-- [SNEEZES] sorry-- values review, et cetera.

Now I am selecting a project file in Vault and right-click assign up and update item button for Create item and BOM from project files. We look BOOM in Vault. Only multimodal 3D-G been not be listed in more.

And I am switching electrical BOM view on BOM view field that I can see installation and location information. You can specific which file types that are not mapped by Vault are automatically deleted from the workspace. Any files in the working folder missing the file extension specific will be added during synchronization.

Yes, I am creating settings and I am adding the new filter MX files to turn off the rating MX files. Yes, filter name enter MX files and extension fields MX and snapshots.

File and item property and managing. Yes, we can create two category for files. Electrical project for project files and electrical drawing for 2D schematic files. In a typical project category, we can manage lifecycle by release process. No need to property mapping.

Electrical drawing category, we can manage lifecycle file release process. We can property mapping title block. Then we can create an electrical project item and electrical item used to make to AutoCAD electrical drawing files, and extract the bit of material data and electrical project category used to map to AutoCAD electrical project file, and extract the project line data.

In this video, category and rules will be created for AutoCAD electrical project and electrical DWG files in Vault environment. First, I open Vault settings and I choose category under viewers. After selecting File in the filters selection, click the New button and write the category name, electrical drawing file, and choose a color. This color make use beneath the category.

I repeat the same process for drawing. I chose two colors and yes. Now I will create a rule for this category so that the file will be automatically assigned to there all category when they are percent to all search.

For this, I create a new rule button in the Settings window. In the rule window, I see all new files rules with the filter selection. And create rule by clicking New button. I am creating a rule for project files.

After entering the rule name and selecting file category, I select a classification as property in the rule condition section and select the quantity in the condition section. And I am selecting AutoCAD electrical project in value field and apply.

I repeat the same operation for drawing files. Yes, I am sending to Vault my files. Yes. As you see, files assign category. Components information from AutoCAD electrical course catalog database can also be imported into Vault Professional.

Vault Professional reads the information from the project database. Vault Professional managed AutoCAD electrical project by using a Vault Professional entity colored an item. The AutoCAD electrical project file is assigned to NI. We can assign electrical project to electrical component as Vault item.

There is three different type of property associates commonly used for mapping to AutoCAD electrical. Electrical component, electrical item used to map to AutoCAD electrical drawing file and extract a bit of material data electrical project.

Electrical project used to map to AutoCAD electrical project file and extract project line data. So project descriptions, reference designators used to map to AutoCAD electrical drawing files and extract description and rating data. Example, location information.

Mapping Vault Professional item property. Each item in Vault Professional is assigned property that hold the data. This item property in Vault Professional get method to do data in AutoCAD electrical.

Yes, let's mapping AutoCAD electrical project properties to item. All of the setup record meant to map AutoCAD electrical data to Vault Professional takes place within the Vault Professional environment. AutoCAD electrical project description properties can be mapped to Vault properties.

User authorization must be admin so that we can do mapping. I want to make an important point if all project files should be in the Vault before starting this process. Because we access the file property and project properties.

First of all, let's go to the property window from Vault settings window. Let's create a new property and name it. I am naming it is project title. Then selecting property type and associate electrical project in item. After that, switch to mapping tap and click to create the map. Select entity item and provide AutoCAD electrical.

Click the Import Vault in the file property section, and selection my project files, then standard and custom profile to be relisted. I find and select the property I want to map. I chose line mesh, line one.

In the mapping section, we need to choose the flow direction of the data. There are three different types direction mapping. The directional data can be uploaded at any Vault-defined direction. These are the 10 flow from Vault to the files. Flow is one-way. File to Vault, these are data flow from the file to the Vault. Flow is one-way.

Now, let's see to find MFG property for electrical components. Electrical category for component property, select the wave files, execute to mapped in, select manufacturing. We referred to this operation for all property we want to create. I create title and update to see new property I created.

Yes, manage lifecycle and division. We can perform revision and lifecycle management on both files and items. We can divide all files into the two category.

This all project files and drawing files, we can manage release process in project files by lifecycle. No need to create property and map in project files. But you can use a defined properties these files if you want to create.

We need to manage to realize there is a revision process of drawing files. We should be able to access to old BOM and the drawing at any time. And we can create a property and map if we want.

Yes, we will need to manage items similar to file management. Now, let's see how to do it step by step. After creating and finishing the drawing file, and we realized the files to look, then the item updates are created.

Don't forget, the item must not be released during the update process, as the item property are mapped. The update will be read from the files. When lasing the item, the link commands must be reused. We check all related files and we realize if related files are not released.

If a revision is to be made in the design property, the state of the drawing and project file are selected as work in progress. The revision of files or will automatically increase to next value. In the same way, we make status of the item as work in progress so that you can update item property. We make the necessary updates both in the file and in items. Then we can update item and synchronize properties.

To follow or visit again to finish the revision process. And after the files are deleted. The items are updated for the last time. So item property are up to date. Items are released as the final stage to finish the revision. File is revision-- file is raised to item installation. So revision process is finished.

Yes, cooperation and lifeline of ideas. Before we talked about workflow of electromechanical in Inventor environment to the schematics driving highest method with 3D assembly. Shared view is helping customer orders a very specific challenge-- they have been facing so far to gather feedback during a review cycle from customer and suppliers.

A very simple user-friendly solution allowing them to share a representation of the design with external collaborators and get feedback without the need to share IP. Nor having the customers deploy additional application or viewers.

For example, create a shared view for a customer to request approval or to provide the easy access to field service team for all sites presentation. Using the link engineering team provides, anyone can be and comment on the shared view. And email is sent to design engineering, while everyone comments on the shared view. She or he reads and reply to comments to manage the shared view directly from Vault.

During the production process, the engineer rewrites design and publishing. The other team members control and give feedback about it. The design engineering replies according to question and feedbacks. In order to get a satisfactory product, this process should keep on. Everything you check into all this the recipient for your product. You are driving your design, your Cad data become your engineer be of materials.

This is why we are enabling Vault customer to connect their data to [INAUDIBLE]. To be clear, it is not all their data, just data. Data that they chose to pull permission and pull ultra secure control. Gain efficiency and increase accessibility by making all relevant design and construction data accessible on single platform. Creating a single source of truth for everyone, and ensure that right team member access the right design data at the right time to roll out the final process.

This eliminates the need to download file and upload them. And reduce opportunities for error transmission and the resulting reward. Now, relevant design data is automatically synchronization between Vault and [INAUDIBLE] 60 without any user interaction.

For example, the main consulting update model in 2016, they get automatical update to Vault for engineering teams. Administrators can control project base which data should be shared one-way or two-way.

We can go to work, but Vault is critical for any size team and enables multi style collaboration. If you have different departments, division, location that are split across different geographies, people can work collaboratively as if they are in the same location, enabling all time engineering and design work and productivity.

Thank you all. Do you have any questions? Yes.

MELIKE OZDEMIR: Thank you for listening to us. If you have a question about our presentation, you can reach us on LinkedIn.