Incompatibilities in manufacturing quality digital information are costly and affect everyone involved. Fortunately, a significant breakthrough for digital manufacturing was realized in the new Quality Information Framework (QIF) standard, approved by ANSI in October 2014.

The QIF is a unified XML framework standard for computer-aided quality measurement systems, enabling the capture, use, and re-use of metrology-related information throughout the PLM/PDM domain. The QIF is developed within the Dimensional Metrology Standards Consortium (DMSC).
Highlights:
- ANSI QIF v2.0: what this is and why it’s important to the Model-Based Enterprise (MBE)
- Plans for future enhancements
- Support of Model-Based Definition (MBD)
About:
This presentation showcased the new Quality Information Framework (QIF) standard. Incompatibilities in manufacturing quality information are costly and affect everyone, impeding a proactive contribution back to product design. Furthermore, incompatibilities are a huge inhibitor to achieving a model-based enterprise. Remarkably, the digital metrology community lacked an enterprise-wide standard solution until now. A significant breakthrough for digital manufacturing, specifically in product acceptance and the metrology community in general, was realized in the new ANSI QIF standard. The QIF is a suite of XML based information schemas that contain everything from product model definitions with associated geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), bill of characteristics, inspection plans, and measurement results, to multi-part statistics in a common QIF document format. This presentation described the new ANSI QIF 2.0, future enhancements, and discussed how it is the key enabler of your manufacturing process quality and contribution toward digital product realization.
Enabling the Model-Based Enterprise (MBE)
Model-Based Definition (MBD) and Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) Vision and Downstream Integration
- High-level strategic plans
- Long-term view of the future of a Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) in large projects
- Overview of Return on Investment (ROI) in integration of large systems such as: ships, aircraft, spacecraft, ground vehicles and robotic vehicles
- Digital thread
- AME (Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise)
- JDMTP (Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel)
- Using MBD/MBE to support KBE (Knowledge Based Engineering)
- Future workforce that can handle the digital-only context
- How does MBD/MBE reduce and improve engineering changes?
- Downstream consumption of MBD, such as 3D Work Instructions, CAM processing of native or neutral files, automated tolerance analysis
MBD (Model-Based Definition)
- 3D annotations and product definition methods
- Native and neutral representations
- Advanced manufacturing methods that require a 3D model, such as: 3D printing, complex geometry composite layups and complex surfaced CSN machining
- Methods for representing (software consumption) and presenting (human consumption) MBD within a particular toolset
- Verification and Validation (V&V) of 3D model data
- PMI and 3D annotation creation and interoperability
- Culture change strategies that support moving information from the drawing into MBD
- Translation & Data Validation of PMI and 3D Annotations
Standards in MBD and MBE
- Standard Development work in support of Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) and Model-Based Definition (MBD)
- ASME Y14.41, Y14.41.1, Y14.46, Y14.47
- QIF (Quality Information Framework)
- AS9102B
- S1000D
- STEP AP242 (ISO 10303)
Quality and Inspection
- Representative (semantic or software consumable) 3D GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
- Supporting technology and/or data transfer
- First Article Inspection (FAI)
- Inspection: As-Designed vs As-Built Validation
- Automated consumption of design and inspection MBD
- How can suppliers comply?
Real World Implementation
- Pilot project and case study stories using MBD and implementing MBE
- Metrics and evaluation criteria of MBD and MBE
- Industry projects in: Ship building, Pipeline systems, Automotive, Aircraft, Spacecraft, Agricultural, Vehicle Integration, Ground Systems and Electronics
Supply Chain
- Challenges and/or success stories
- Technology gaps
- Communicating a new way of doing business
- Verification and Validation (V&V) of As-Designed to As-Built
Blog updated: January 2023 – For more information on Terms and Standards visit the Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) Dictionary.