Bills of MaterialsConsistent bills of materials – automatic synchronization – flawless manufacturing processes
“A bill of materials or product structure (sometimes bill of material, BOM or associated list) is a list of the raw materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies, sub-components, parts, and the quantities of each needed to manufacture an end product.“ (Source: [...]
Digital Information RelationshipsCommunication between mechanics, electronics, and software development is key
Employees working on the business side of the manufacturing industry are usually one step ahead, at least when it comes to the integrated experience delivered by the software solutions at their disposal. Their ERP system provides a single pane of glass that allows them to navigate information on all components, be they [...]
ERP SystemsA unified look at mechanical and electronic components
Developers and designers are used to working with CAD software and storing product data in a CAD data management system (e.g. AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Creo, Solid Edge, NX or Solidworks) but what about the production planners, purchasers, material requirements planners, and production staffers who maintain their information [...]
File SynchronizationProduct data shouldn't go down a one-way street, it needs to be exchanged bi-directionally
Product data silos and the manual transfer of information between various IT systems are a constant source of error, resulting in the need to do re-work and unnecessary costs. This can be avoided by maintaining data consistency and ensuring automatic synchronization between the different IT systems. For manufacturing and [...]
MechatronicsA common data foundation for interdisciplinary collaboration
In modern mechanical engineering, you will be hard pressed to find a component that does not involve electrical/electronic elements and is not electronically controlled. Mechatronic products such as the control panel of a robotic arm contain mechanical assemblies, electrical components, and frequently software driven electronic [...]
Structured Storage of InformationMaking product information available and operable across the enterprise and across all systems
CAD data not only includes CAD models, drawings, and bills of materials, it also extends to CAD-related information such as specifications, calculations, production notes (NC programs), routings, assembly information and much more. CAD data management concerns itself with structured storage, not just using a file system, but in [...]