Interacting with MBD Files for Defense Suppliers

This short online self-paced, practical mini-course helps defense suppliers confidently open and interact with Model-Based Definition (MBD) files received from OEMs. Participants learn how to correctly view PMI, understand common file formats, and avoid mistakes that lead to missing or misinterpreted data.

Description

Defense suppliers are increasingly receiving model-based files instead of traditional 2D drawings. This mini-course provides a clear, hands-on introduction to interacting with common MBD file types such as STEP 242, NX native files, and QIF. Participants will learn how to properly open and validate PMI and inspection characteristics using SOLIDWORKS and MBDVidia, understand what data is retained or lost across formats, and avoid common errors that cause PMI to appear missing. The course is designed for quick, practical adoption with immediate relevance to shop-floor, quality, and engineering roles.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this mini-course, participants will be able to:

•Identify common MBD file types received from OEMs (QIF, NX .prt, STEP 242)

•Correctly open and validate PMI and characteristics in SOLIDWORKS and MBDVidia

•Understand what data is consumable vs. lost across different formats

•Avoid common mistakes that cause PMI to appear “missing”

Prerequisites

This course is designed for defense suppliers who receive and use MBD files, including manufacturing engineers, quality personnel, inspectors, CNC programmers, and technical leads. It is especially suited for small- and medium-sized manufacturers transitioning from 2D drawings to model-based workflows.