Model based definition

Model Based Definition is a new strategy of product lifecycle management in which the CAD models (Computer aided design) change from simple models with only the geometric data to extensive information sources containing all product manufacturing information (Alemanni, Destefanis, & Vezzetti, 2010).

Model Based Definition is the use of 3D models in 3D CAD software, to define individual components and product assemblies. The Model Based Definition technology can be considered as a new generation for product definition methods. The modern 3D CAD systems make it possible to insert technical information such as geometric dimensions, tolerances, material specifications, 3D annotation and surface finishing into the 3D digital dataset. The 3D digital dataset contains enough information to produce and inspect the product without the previously used 2D technical drawings (Zhu et al., 2016).

In the traditional industrial method, the 3D CAD model describes the geometric information of the product and the 2D technical drawings define the dimensions, tolerance and process information. When using Model Based Definition technology, the 3D model becomes the basis for product definition, engineering of product processes, production planning and quality inspection. This avoids the time-consuming process of the traditional method based on engineering drawings (Zhu et al., 2016).