Implementation of Model-Based Definition-Case of Manufacturing Industry in Finland

Model-Based Definition (MBD) supplies benefits in digital product process, especially in communication between engineering and downstream processes. This is possible due to a semantic machine-readable 3D model, which is gaining popularity in modern CAD/CAM systems. Particularly aerospace and automotive industries have utilized MBD in their processes. However, MBD is less used in Small and Mid-Size Enterprises (SME), where manufacturing series are typically small, but products can be highly configured. This inspired us to make a survey for Finnish Mechanical Engineering companies which typically are SME companies with highly specialized products. We wanted to find out, how familiar MBD is to them, how they transfer Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI) from design to manufacturing, what are their objectives in MBD, and what barriers need to be overcome before introducing MBD in companies. Most of the informants in our survey are familiar with the MBD, but less than half of them is either using or introducing the MBD in their companies and suppliers. Despite developed digital design and manufacturing tools in the Mechanical Engineering Industry, lack of skills in using MBD both among companies and their suppliers was the main reason for not utilizing MBD.