Integrating CAD interoperability in PDM / PLM

Introduction

In a heterogeneous engineering environment, data exchange is the biggest hurdle. When one team uses Tool A and another uses Tool B, the risk of “data friction”—loss of geometry, broken links, or corrupted metadata—is high. CAD Interoperability in the context of PDM/PLM refers to the ability of different software systems to exchange, use, and visualize CAD data without loss of integrity.

Integrating interoperability into a Product Data Management (PDM) or PLM system is what transforms a collection of isolated files into a coherent, searchable, and actionable database. It is the technical foundation that ensures the “Digital Thread” remains unbroken from the first sketch to the final assembly.

Strategies for CAD Interoperability

There are three primary ways to achieve interoperability within a PDM/PLM ecosystem:

1. Neutral File Formats (The “Universal Language”)

Using industry-standard formats that are not tied to any specific vendor.

• STEP (ISO 10303): The gold standard for long-term data archiving and exchange.
• JT (Jupiter Tessellation): Highly efficient for 3D visualization and collaboration without needing the native CAD license.
• Pros: High compatibility and stability.

2. Direct Translators (The “Bilingual” Approach)

Software connectors that read the native code of one CAD tool and translate it into another.

• Pros: Can preserve more “intelligence” (like parameters or features) than neutral formats.
• Cons: Requires constant updates whenever a CAD vendor releases a new version.

3. Integrated PDM Connectors

The PDM system acts as the “Master,” providing a native plugin for each CAD tool. This allows an engineer in SolidWorks to “Check-In” a part that a CATIA user can then “Place” into a larger assembly.

The Benefits of Deep Integration

Integrating interoperability directly into the PDM/PLM workflow provides several critical advantages:

How Visure Solutions Enhances Interoperability

While PDM systems manage the files, Visure Requirements ALM Platform manages the Functional Interoperability:

• Agnostic Traceability: Visure doesn’t care which CAD tool created the geometry. It links the high-level requirement to the metadata of the part, ensuring that regardless of the format (STEP, JT, or Native), the requirement fulfillment is tracked.
• Change Synchronization: If an interoperability issue causes a design change, Visure tracks the “Why” behind that change, linking the technical fix to the original engineering intent.
• Compliance Documentation: Visure can aggregate data from various interoperable sources to generate a single “Certificate of Conformity,” ensuring that the mix of tools doesn’t lead to gaps in the audit trail.
• Cross-Domain Collaboration: Visure bridges the gap between the mechanical design (CAD) and the software/electronic requirements, providing a unified view that raw CAD files cannot offer.

Conclusion

Integrating CAD interoperability into PDM/PLM is no longer an “extra” feature; it is the backbone of modern engineering. It allows companies to be agile, work with any supplier, and protect their intellectual property for decades to come.

By combining a strong interoperability strategy with the requirements management power of Visure, organizations ensure that their digital assets are not just “stored,” but are active, intelligent, and fully aligned with the product’s mission. The result is a fluid engineering process where the focus remains on innovation, not on troubleshooting file formats.

Check out the 14-day free trial at Visure and experience how AI-driven change control can help you manage changes faster, safer, and with full audit readiness.