Vestas Solves Their CAD to PLM Data Exchange Challenges With SpinFire Convert
Vestas & Tech Soft 3D
Vestas are a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, with extensive experience in wind energy. Active across every phase of a project’s lifecycle, they design, manufacture, install, develop, and maintain wind energy projects around the world, driving the transformation of the global energy system.
“We needed a highly customized version of SpinFire Convert…there was a very tight collaboration between Vestas and Tech Soft 3D”
Erik Sallingboe, Product Architect, Architecture & Design, Digital Solutions at Vestas
When Vestas implemented composite modeling for designing their wind turbine blades, they began using Dassault’s CATIA V5. While they were satisfied with how CATIA V5 matched their needs, a key challenge remained; how to get this data into PTC’s Windchill, their pre-existing PLM system.
“[Dassault and PTC] are two really separate ecosystems... we definitely were in need of something that could bridge these two systems together” Erik Sallingboe explained.
In addition to their general interoperability challenges, Vestas was also looking for a highly customized solution to ensure information from composite models was brought through. “We need to have a lot of detailed information racked out of the CATIA V5 composite model,” Erik Sallingboe explained.
Any solution implemented also needed to be scalable to account for future growth in users. By prioritizing scalability from the outset, the solution would remain effective in the long term, preventing data exchange from becoming a bottleneck. Tech Soft 3D was able to provide a solution that satisfied Vestas’s needs while growing with them.
Bridging Design Ecosystems with SpinFire Convert
Vestas chose SpinFire Convert to seamlessly integrate their CATIA V5 data into Windchill. Using a mixture of out-of-the-box capabilities, add-ons, and customized additions, they were able to solve their data exchange issues while ensuring information from composite models was brought through.
SpinFire Convert was able to provide quick and accurate visualization of their data within their existing Windchill PLM system. Vestas then used the model-based definition (MBD) addon to bring detailed manufacturing information into Windchill alongside the CAD model, helping them to achieve their goal of replacing all 2D drawings and creating a more efficient MBD-based workflow.
Alongside the base features of SpinFire Convert and the MBD add-on, Vestas and Tech Soft 3D also collaborated to deliver customized outputs tailored to Vestas’ need for composite data. One of the key requirements was a Bill of Materials (BOM) capable of supporting detailed information from CATIA V5 composite data. A bespoke solution was developed to automatically generate this customized BOM directly within Windchill.
“It has only been possible to achieve what we achieved with the customized solution thanks to the collaboration that we had with Tech Soft 3D,” said Erik Sallingboe.
Industry
Energy
Challenge
After implementing CATIA V5 for composite modeling, Vestas needed a way to get this data into their existing PLM system, Windchill. They were looking for a solution that could bridge these two very separate ecosystems, while also bringing across the composite data.
Solution
SpinFire Convert gave Vestas seamless data translation between CATIA V5 and Windchill. They used the MBD addon plus a customized solution to support their MBD journey and bring through detailed information alongside the CAD model.
Results
Instant and accurate visualization of CATIA V5 composite data within Windchill.
Support for MBD workflows
SpinFire Convert offers a scalable solution that won’t create bottlenecks with the addition of new users.
SpinFire Convert Case Study FAQs
What is SpinFire Convert?
SpinFire Convert is a CAD translation and publishing application. It converts complex CAD models into other CAD formats or into lightweight, shareable formats that downstream teams can open without CAD software.
What can SpinFire Convert do for you?
SpinFire Convert lets you translate between native and neutral formats, such as CATIA V5, NX, Creo, SOLIDWORKS, 3DEXPERIENCE, and STEP. It can also publish to JT, Creo View, 3D PDF, and HTML. Geometry, product structure, PMI, and metadata come through accurately.
Teams in manufacturing, procurement, quality, and service can work with CAD data without extra CAD licenses or specialist training. For high-volume work, SpinFire Convert supports batch processing and automation in PLM environments like Teamcenter, Windchill, and 3DEXPERIENCE.
What happened to Theorem? Is SpinFire the same as Theorem?
Tech Soft 3D acquired Theorem Solutions in 2024. Theorem’s CADTranslate (formerly CADverter) and CADPublish (formerly Publish 3D) are now part of SpinFire Convert. The name and packaging have changed, but Theorem’s technology remains at the core of the product. The functionality and CAD vendor partnerships haven’t changed, and SpinFire Convert is powered by Theorem technology.
