Bell Textron & Tech Soft 3D

Bell Textron Inc. is a leading aerospace and defense innovator, known for its rotorcraft and cutting-edge programs with the US Army, DARPA, and commercial space customers. While historically a helicopter manufacturer, Bell has evolved into a nimble, forward-looking company, combining military and commercial expertise with a relatively compact team, giving it the agility to adopt new technologies quickly.

The Challenge

Bell’s legacy workflows were largely based on 2D designs, with internal teams, suppliers, and customers all working with them. The company shifted to model-based definition (MBD) to better support complex assemblies, improve efficiency and communication throughout the data stream, better enable regulator and compliance needs, and lay the foundation for future innovation. While the benefits are significant, the shift comes with several challenges, including:

• Lack of Standardization: The team often had to define internal methodologies from scratch

• Downstream Communication: Customers and suppliers were accustomed to 2D drawings, making it difficult to share MBD data efficiently

• Complex Assemblies: Communicating 3D data at scale comes with a host of challenges

• Compliance and data handling: Military contracts require strict adherence to federal regulations, which adds complexity

Bell needed a solution that could securely deliver accurate, consumable 3D data, without relying on intermediate formats like STEP, while supporting supplier adoption and compliance requirements. 3D PDFs were a logical choice, and the company needed a product that could empower them to get the most out of this format.

How Bell Uses SpinFire Convert to Leverage 3D PDFs

Bell decided to use SpinFire Convert to take full advantage of the 3D PDF format, integrating the tool directly into their PLM and CAD environments.

SpinFire Convert enables Bell to communicate across the data stream in easily consumable 3D PDFs instead of relying on screenshots or sharing the CAD file itself. Customers, vendors, and internal teams alike need only Adobe Reader to interact with the data, eliminating the need for costly CAD licenses on the receiving end.

A major selling point for Bell was the direct translation from the CAD file to the 3D PDF and API-level access, providing the company with an unmatched level of reliability in translation and control over what information is shared.

“The 3D PDF is truly a lightweight, easily consumable format for our model-based information, and that is extremely powerful.”

Luis Ulloa, Manager for PLM Solutions, Enterprise Digital Systems Organization, Bell

Finally, SpinFire Convert allows for template customization, enabling Bell to tailor the formats for different supplier or customer requirements as needed.

The Results and ROI of Bell’s Relationship with Tech Soft 3D

Bell was able to take advantage of SpinFire Convert to leverage 3D PDFs, providing the communication tools they needed as they shifted towards model-based definition. Specifically, SpinFire Convert has  enabled Bell to:

• Accelerate MBD Adoption: 3D PDFs are being used for day-to-day operations, bridging the gap between internal processes and external partners

• Clearly Communicate Without Sacrificing Security: The format and SpinFire Convert’s data controls provide the perfect balance of security-compliant communication without exposing sensitive data

• Improve Accuracy and Consistency: Communication via a format generated directly from the CAD file provides high visual fidelity, while including detailed supporting information lost in simple screenshots

“The key thing we saw from leading the MBD working group was the need for a human-readable format. There was some initial hesitancy from our supply base, but now they’ve accepted the 3D PDF and rely on it heavily.”

Todd Wise, Staff Engineer at Bell

A Strong, Ongoing Relationship

The collaboration with Tech Soft 3D extends beyond immediate product use. Bell has actively contributed feedback to improve SpinFire Convert’s capabilities, ensuring future enhancements align with real-world aerospace workflows. The collaboration demonstrates how innovative engineering teams can leverage end-user applications to accelerate adoption and solve industry-specific challenges, while the product benefits from building on the real-world experience of its users.

Bell & SpinFire Convert: Fast Facts

• Industry: Aerospace & Defense

• The Challenge: Adopt MBD workflows, share 3D data with suppliers, support compliance, and handle complex assemblies.

• The Solution: SpinFire Convert provides direct CAD-to-3D PDF output, customizable templates, and a lightweight, human-readable format.

• The Results:

  • Faster MBD adoption across internal and supplier teams

  • Improved accuracy and consistency of 3D data

  • Enhanced collaboration with both suppliers and Tech Soft 3D

  • Direct CAD-level control over what is shown in the 3D PDF