We are considering changing our modeling method to more accurately represent our customer's parts. This is what we are considering:
First we have a casting. We create an assembly with the casting and our customer's part (this allows us to easily examine the stock). Then we create a rough machined part that leaves a small amount of stock that we eventually grind away to the final part's diemensions. All cuts and features use the customer part as a reference so that what we are left with is a finished part identical to the customer part. The big advantage is when our customer updates their part, we immediately update our part with very little time or effort (assuming the update is nothing too major).
We see many potential pitfalls to this idea, but would like to get some feedback from people in the know about it. Pros/Cons welcome.
First we have a casting. We create an assembly with the casting and our customer's part (this allows us to easily examine the stock). Then we create a rough machined part that leaves a small amount of stock that we eventually grind away to the final part's diemensions. All cuts and features use the customer part as a reference so that what we are left with is a finished part identical to the customer part. The big advantage is when our customer updates their part, we immediately update our part with very little time or effort (assuming the update is nothing too major).
We see many potential pitfalls to this idea, but would like to get some feedback from people in the know about it. Pros/Cons welcome.