drawing checks using Siemens' CheckMate:
- Todd Kromann

- Oct 28
- 3 min read
Designing hardware systems is a complex process that involves many different steps, from requirements gathering to testing and validation. One critical step in the hardware design process is creating and checking engineering drawings. The accuracy of these drawings can have a significant impact on the performance and safety of the final product.
To ensure that engineering drawings are accurate and complete, many organizations use software tools such as Siemens' CheckMate. CheckMate is a powerful software tool that can help streamline the engineering drawing review and approval process by automating many of the steps involved.
One of the key features of CheckMate is its ability to perform automated drawing checks. These checks are designed to identify potential errors or issues in engineering drawings before they are released for production. This can help save time and money by catching errors early in the design process and preventing costly rework or recalls later on.
To use CheckMate for drawing checks, users must first create a set of rules and criteria that the software will use to evaluate the drawings. These rules may be based on industry standards, regulatory requirements, or internal design standards. Once the rules have been created, CheckMate can perform automated checks on engineering drawings to ensure that they meet the established criteria.
CheckMate can be configured to perform a wide range of checks, including:
Dimensional checks: CheckMate can verify that all dimensions in the drawing are within specified tolerance limits and are consistent with other dimensions in the same drawing or assembly.
Geometric checks: CheckMate can verify that the geometry of the drawing is correct and that all shapes are true to their intended form.
Material checks: CheckMate can verify that the correct materials are specified in the drawing and that they are consistent with the requirements for the final product.
Assembly checks: CheckMate can verify that all parts fit together correctly in the assembly and that there are no interferences or conflicts between parts.
Symbol and note checks: CheckMate can verify that all symbols and notes in the drawing are correct and consistent with the intended meaning.
Using CheckMate for drawing checks can provide a number of benefits for hardware development teams. For example:
Increased efficiency: By automating many of the steps involved in drawing checks, CheckMate can help streamline the review and approval process, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
Improved quality: CheckMate can help ensure that engineering drawings are accurate and complete, which can help improve the quality and safety of the final product.
Compliance with standards: CheckMate can be configured to check drawings against industry standards, regulatory requirements, or internal design standards, helping to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines.
Reduced costs: Catching errors early in the design process can help prevent costly rework or recalls later on, saving time and money for the organization.
In conclusion, using software tools such as Siemens' CheckMate for drawing checks can provide a number of benefits for hardware development teams. By automating many of the steps involved in drawing checks, CheckMate can help save time, improve quality, ensure compliance with standards, and reduce costs. To get started with CheckMate, organizations should work with their Siemens representative to develop a set of rules and criteria that are tailored to their specific design needs.
// Rule Name: Hole_Diameter_Check
// Purpose: Check the hole diameter for minimum and maximum limit
rule Hole_Diameter_Check
{
Description = "Check hole diameter";
ToolTip = "Check minimum and maximum hole diameter";
// Define variables
real diameter;
real max_diameter = 20.0; // maximum diameter
real min_diameter = 2.0; // minimum diameter
// Find holes in the model and check diameter
foreach (hole in model.Holes)
{
diameter = hole.Diameter;
if (diameter < min_diameter)
{
ReportFailure("Hole diameter is too small: " + hole.Name);
}
else if (diameter > max_diameter)
{
ReportFailure("Hole diameter is too large: " + hole.Name);
}
}
}

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