CALYPSO makes use of an off the shelf CAD “Kernel” called ASIC. This decision to employ ASIC was made many years ago instead of ZEISS creating our own CAD language. The native file extension for ACIS is either .SAT or .SAB. Most CAD systems can export one of these file formats. If so, a customer may simply use that format and does not need to buy any other CAD import module.
Otherwise, we offer either:
- “neutral” formats like STEP or IGES which also can be exported from most CAD systems
- “direct” formats like CATIA or CREO which have the benefit of no format conversion (they are pure and thus can be trusted more completely than “neutral” formats).
- The additional benefit of “direct” formats is the possibility of PMI.
PMI
PMI represents when a CAD designer embeds the “GD&T requirements” within the actual solid CAD file. For example, a diameter requirement with tolerance limits of +/-0.01mm will be inside the CAD model. This can allow the CALYPSO programmer to save time. He/She can read the CAD file into CALYPSO and the GD&T callouts (ie: diameter, position, distance, perpendicularity….) will be automatically programmed! This will normally be done in PLANNER because tying up a CMM for offline programming is not good use of the CMM (it should be measuring parts).
There is no P/N for PMI itself. Rather, it is standard functionality of the direct CAD format (assuming the customer has embedded the PMI information inside the CAD model).
PMI is standard in the current versions of Calypso and is not a separate license a customer would have to purchase. However, it does depend on the CAD format they are using. Calypso CAD interface that are PMI compatible include the following:
CALYPSO CATIA V5 V6 Import
CALYPSO CREO Import
CALYPSO Siemens NX Import
CALYPSO Solid Works
STEP and IGES files are NOT be able to utilize PMI data.
Video explaining how to use PMI data in Calypso: https://youtu.be/vZPt3BsWxEA
There is also an eLearning course available for $99 on the ZEISS Portal under the “ZEISS Academy” tab.
PMI - Product and manufacturing information: conveys non-geometric attributes in 3D computer-aided design and Collaborative Product Development systems necessary for manufacturing product components and assemblies.
CALYPSO Direct CAD Interface modules that are PMI compatible include:
CALYPSO CATIA V5 V6 Import (PMI compatible)
CALYPSO CREO Import (PMI compatible)
CALYPSO Siemens NX Import (PMI compatible)
CALYPSO Solid Works (PMI compatible)