Today many die makers use different systems for different parts of the die design and manufacturing process. They might use one system for design (e.g. CATIA V4), another for 2.5 axis machining (e.g. EdgeCAM) and yet another (e.g. Work NC or Tebis) for 3 axis machining and yet more tools for laser cutting etc.
Another major problem for die makers is that they tend to start every die from scratch and have no way of capturing their experience from the last die, or even from their experience people within their organisation.
CATIA V5 provides one single system for a complete end-to-end integrated solution. It also enables the designer to capture his knowledge and also design rules.
Furthermore throughout the development process for a new die there could be 20 different design changes and V5 provides the associative or Generative approach such that changes in the part design can mean the updates are propagated and the tooling is automatically updated. The CATIA V5 Generative approach also promotes the use of ‘Standard’ tools and previous, or validated, designs from which new or unique solutions can be ‘morphed’.