Through the integration of IsoDraw CADprocess, Wieland Electric GmbH in Bamberg / Germany realized an optimal workflow between its design and documentation departments. This is not only reflected in the high quality of their graphics, but also results in a major productivity advantage.

Wieland Electric ranks among the leading companies in the world market field of electric connections. DIN rail terminal blocks, electronic components and heavy-duty multipole connectors are only some of the products of this company, which employs almost 2,000 people worldwide. With seven subsidiaries and a network of competent sales partners, Wieland Electric is represented on every continent.

Technical Documentation at Wieland Electric
From instruction leaflets to operation or installation manuals, Wieland Electric creates various kinds of documentation, all of which include perspective illustrations.

Formerly, external service providers created all of these illustrations. With the introduction of a 3D CAD system (SDRC I-DEAS), Wieland wanted to be able to use the design data for their documentations, too.

As this sensitive design data was not meant to be disclosed to external people, Wieland Electric started to search for a way to process this data internally.  

First, they experimented with converting the 3D data to 2D illustrations solely via the CAD system. This conversion, however, was only the initial step and meant considerable extra work for the design engineer.

After the conversion, the graphic still had to be edited according to the stylistic demands of Technical Illustration (line weights, colors, deletion of details, preparation for electronic delivery, etc.).

The processing with the CAD machine in addition to the later editing can easily amount to several hours per illustration, depending on the complexity of the graphic.


Specific Requirements
Wieland Electric places major emphasis on the fact that all of the company's technical documentation is presented with a consistent appearance. Therefore, their software solution should be able to fulfill some additional - very specific - requirements.

1. It should be able to process a large bulk of scanned legacy data (here: TIFF files). When a product is changed, it should not be necessary to create the related graphic anew. Instead, only single pixel elements should be changed and replaced by vector elements. In addition to the scans, it should be possible to process photos to hybrid files.
   
   
2. Furthermore, Wieland had plenty of existing 2D files in DXF format that they also wanted for further use. As many suppliers of the company are working with 2D files, it should also be possible to read their data without loss and put them into perspective.

Of course, the most desirable solution would also fulfill future requirements. For example, Wieland Electric is planning to realize an electronic parts catalog at a later time. So, the illustrations must also be prepared accordingly (e.g. by creating hotspots).

The Evaluation Period
When searching for a suitable software solution, the individuals in charge at Wieland found IsoDraw CADprocess. As a first step in the evaluation period, a data test was arranged, as is standardwith ITEDO. Those interested in the product can ask ITEDO for the necessary IGES export settings for their respective CAD system. Then, they can send in their IGES files via email for testing. Thus, the capabilities of CADprocess can already be demonstrated in the beginning of the sales process.

The data tests for Wieland Electric were successful and delivered excellent results. "Two things really convinced us: The quality and the speed", explains Detlef Racky, CAD advisor at Wieland.

"Not even one hour after I had sent in the assembly groups, they returned the complete results. This surprised us all the more, as all our own attempts at converting I-DEAS files to technical illustrations had been extremely time-consuming."

Subsequent to the tests, a workshop was organized with the responsible ITEDO consultant. Before the appointment, the specific requirements of the company were listed, so that the individual tasks at Wieland could be discussed during the meeting.

With the help of various sample data (scans, DXF, IGES), the job routines with IsoDraw CADprocess could demonstrated concretely and convincingly, which resulted in a positive decision for this product.

Integration into the Documentation Process
Due to many new functions in CADprocess, the illustrator is able to read and work with CAD files with a minimum of assistance from the design engineer. The only task the design engineer has to fulfill in this process is the correct export of the assemblies to the IGES format. 

As this often requires coordination, the correct options were saved as export filters in the CAD system (a so-called "flavor") and copied to the respective workstations of the design engineers at Wieland Electric. Now, a short phone call from the documentation staff is sufficient to order the IGES file of the needed part from one of the CAD stations.

"We started working with CADprocess in May 2002 and are more than content with it. The workflow between our department and the design department has been smoothed, which allows both sides to work more efficiently and fully use synergy effects. Since we can now work with the CAD files independently and according to our own needs, not only do the design engineers save a lot of time, but also we, as illustrators, get many new graphic possibilities."

Dr.-Ing. Thomas Kluck, Head of Documentation
Wieland Electric GmbH, Bamberg/Germany