Tolerance Analysis Using CETOL 6 Sigma v8.0

Sigmetrix software leaves no room for error on the way to the shop.

by DE Editors | Published March 19, 2008

CETOL 6 Sigma v8.0 from Sigmetrix, LLC, (McKinney, TX) allows users to tackle high-end tolerance analysis challenges in large, complex assemblies (such as those often found in the aerospace, automotive, consumer and medical products, and hi-tech electronics industries, to name a few). In addition to being fully compatible with Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA V5, and SolidWorks, CETOL accommodates tolerance management needs through a dimensional analysis system that is engineered to support product development processes from design through manufacture.

At Sigmetrix LLC, “We are committed to innovate mechanical tolerance analysis technologies that accelerate product-quality maturity by providing an integrated environment that promotes engineering best practices,” says Tim Bogard, President & CEO. “CETOL 6 Sigma Version 8.0 empowers users to attain product design performance and manufacturing cost goals at more demanding quality levels.”

Now engineers and designers get reliable tolerance optimization decisions in shorter cycles with features in a number of new capabilities, such as advanced sensitivity animation, tolerance model template re-use, and a modeling advisor technology that help the user through the process of setting up a robust tolerance model.

What's New?
Sigmetrix says it raised the bar with its newly released CETOL 6 Sigma Version 8.0 software through new features for users to create an accurate assembly model and predict the critical variation of assembly requirements. These include advanced assembly modeling technologies, a Tolerance Model Advisor, true sensitivity animation, large assembly view/model filtering, an automated CETOL Network Model Graph, model templates for analysis reuse, new GUI with optimized workflows, flexible data storage with no data integrity loss, and direct export to .html or .csv files.

Plus, to create the documentation needed to communicate your findings, an advanced reporting and interrogation tool is included that provides rapid “what-if” scenarios, interactive analysis visualization, a report-creation wizard, and WYSIWYG reporting.

“We have introduced assembly and feature constraint technology that has provided a finer level of resolution in understanding how variation precisely impacts assembly model behavior,” explains Bogard. “Coupled to the advanced modeling technology is our postprocessor technology, which provides analysis results, interrogation tools, report automation, and flexible data management solutions all integrated.”

Key Benefits
CETOL’s precise calculation of surface sensitivities accelerates tolerance optimization so you can understand the precise, derived sensitivities between critical product requirements and design input variables. As a result, you can drive knowledge transfer and achieve maximum productivity through model reuse, ultimately promoting engineering best practices throughout the PLM process.

The implementation of interface standards and a logical modeling process make CETOL 6 Sigma easy to adopt and use, says the company. Its integration with Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA V5, and SolidWorks let you operate in your native CAD system by working directly with the precise geometry — without the need for model translation.

CETOL 6 Sigma assembly modeling tools give you complete control over the behavior of your assembly model. The dimensioning system can be used to precisely model the as-designed, as-manufactured, or as-inspected state of the part, giving you the insight you need into any perspective of the tolerance optimization process.

Since the software’s solution is based on precise analytical methods, you get sensitivity, worst case and statistical analysis all at the same time. Plus, integrated data management of model data is written directly to the CAD model files so the CETOL data is treated as if it were native CAD data. Multi-CAD system licenses allow users to use the same CETOL 6 Sigma model across multiple CAD system interfaces with same license.

Using the Automatic Report Generation feature to disseminate final data you can generate HTML-based or .CSV formatted reports that include a comprehensive set of summaries and detailed input and output variables at the part, sub-assembly, and assembly levels.

“This fully interactive tolerance information manager sets a new standard for optimization processes,” adds Bogard. “This new level of capability is necessary in order to meet the demanding quality requirements of next generation products in many of our customers who have outgrown other solutions in use today.”

Click here to visit Sigmetrix LLC.

Click here to read why DE's editors made this a Pick of the Week.

Click here to take a tour (3 minutes) of CETOL 6 Sigma to see how to implement Zero Tolerance for Error in your product development process. From there you can register for an Informative demonstration.

Click here to read the product overview on CETOL 6 Sigma.

Click here to see more CETOL 6 Sigma features and benefits.

Click here to learn about the new features in CETOL 6 Sigma Version 8.0.