CAD Integration Q&A with Dr. Maier

Peter Schroer — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:52:04 GMT

Current revision posted to Aras Innovator KnowledgeBase by Peter Schroer on 8/27/2009 1:52:04 PM

CAD Integration Q&A with Dr. Maier

Filed under: CAD Integration

Q&A Session with Dr. Helmut Maier, founder of Dr. MaierCSS, CAD Integration specialists .in Stutensee Germany www.maiercss.de

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Why use a CAD-PLM connector?

1. What types of CAD information are important to have and manage in my PLM system?

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3D models of parts and assemblies, 2D drawings with PLM controlled header informations,

Management of design structure with native CAD data,

Generic CAD models with configuration and variants,

Simplified models such as for exchange with customers or suppliers,

Revisions of 2D CAD objects and design structure for design histrorie and traceability,

Management of product structure with items, bom, where used data, classification, engineering change history, documentation, sales and service informations, serial numbers etc. with relations to the design structure. <dir>

2. What are the various approaches to CAD data integration with a PLM system?

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Unique identification of CAD models by PLM ident code, description and file name,

Management of file links of the design structure,

Management of relations between 3D objects, drawings, items and bom,

Where-used information in design structure (3D model structure),

o structure)

Generate and management of neutral, viewable file formats corresponding to revision of native CAD data.

Access control to the CAD data (create, delete, write, read, not-visile), protection of intellectual property.

Multi-language product data and representations <dir>

3. Many CAD packages have a local CAD file management system, should this system play a role in my company’s implementation?

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Local file managements systems are CAD proprietary vaults. They are not usable for different CAD systems, if customers have to use several CAD systems (such as an automotive supplier) or even additionally electronic and electrical CAD systems.

Local file management systems are CAD oriented, are locally organized and do not support replicated files on distributed sites of a company (usually non-optimal download and upload performance of WANs).

CAD proprietary vaults are not optimized for life cylcle management of other product data such as electronic data, electrical data, written/animated/multi-media documentations, after sales service data etc.

Missing API support by the local vault system for hand-over of PLM user access rights, approval and release status, change history. o Missing features for complex engineering change management (such as release an mechatronic assembly existing of items, bom, 3D model, wiring diagram, PCB, fabrication data, documentation, punch or die tools etc).

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4. What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of these approaches?

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Consistent product data management over the complex product life cycle.

Traceability of innovation, engineering and manufacturing data during product life cycles.

Support of innovation, engineering and change processes in the extended enterprise (including different sites, customers and suppliers).

Automation of sequential and parallel processes and information distribution in the extended enterprise. o Additionally graphical visualization and communication over the extended enterprise.

Definition: PLM is clear product structures, efficient processes and complex data management over the whole product life cycle.

Big advantage: shorter time to market (to profit)

Disadvantage: Product structures and processes have to be defined or should be optimized step by step when introducing PLM <dir>

5. How can I tell which approach is right for my company?

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Integration of authoring systems of engineering, quality assurance and documentation to PLM could be the first step followed by integrated business and change process and project management.

PLM manages the enterprise product record which includes all the product information and controls workflows required by the extended enterprise to conceptualize, design, source, build, sell, service & dispose of innovative products.

Product data and design structures as well as innovation and change processes of the company are managed by PLM.

PLM enables the critical cross-functional, multi-enterprise business processes which drive improved product profitability.

PLM grants the cross functional management, coordination and optimization of the information, processes and decisions about products, throughout the product lifecycle and across the extended enterprise.

Product innovation & engineering excellence today, complicated by growing outsourcing, globalization, and compliance requirements, require early lifecycle focus on the business requirements as well as the technical requirements of new products.

Profitable innovation of mechatronic product solutions are achieved by PLM supporting concurrent engineering, manufacturing and quality assurance and optimizing the product innovation cycle by promoting reuse and management of technical product information (form, fit, function) and decisions within engineering, logistics, manufacturing, sales and service.

Dr. Helmut Maier can be reached at www.maiercss.de

CAD Integration Q&A with Dr. Maier

Peter Schroer — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:04:36 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Aras Innovator KnowledgeBase by Peter Schroer on 8/27/2009 1:04:36 PM

Q&A Session with Dr. Helmut Maier, founder of Dr. MaierCSS, CAD Integration specialists. www.maiercss.de

<dir>

1. What types of CAD information are important to have and manage in my PLM system?

</dir>

3D models of parts and assemblies, 2D drawings with PLM controlled header informations,

Management of design structure with native CAD data,

Generic CAD models with configuration and variants,

Simplified models such as for exchange with customers or suppliers,

Revisions of 2D CAD objects and design structure for design histrorie and traceability,

2. What are the various approaches to CAD data integration with a PLM system?

</dir>

Unique identification of CAD models by PLM ident code, description and file name,

Management of file links of the design structure,

Management of relations between 3D objects, drawings, items and bom,

Where-used information in design structure (3D model structure),

Generate and management of neutral, viewable file formats corresponding to revision of native CAD data.

Access control to the CAD data (create, delete, write, read, not-visile), protection of intellectual property.

Multi-language product data and representations <dir>

3. Many CAD packages have a local CAD file management system, should this system play a role in my company’s implementation?

</dir>

Missing API support by the local vault system for hand-over of PLM user access rights, approval and release status, change history.

Missing features for complex engineering change management (such as release an mechatronic assembly existing of items, bom, 3D model, wiring diagram, PCB, fabrication data, documentation, punch or die tools etc).

<dir>

4. What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of these approaches?

</dir>

Consistent product data management over the complex product life cycle.

Traceability of innovation, engineering and manufacturing data during product life cycles.

Support of innovation, engineering and change processes in the extended enterprise (including different sites, customers and suppliers).

Automation of sequential and parallel processes and information distribution in the extended enterprise.

Additionally graphical visualization and communication over the extended enterprise.

Definition: PLM is clear product structures, efficient processes and complex data management over the whole product life cycle.

Big advantage: shorter time to market (to profit)

Disadvantage: Product structures and processes have to be defined or should be optimized step by step when introducing PLM <dir>

5. How can I tell which approach is right for my company?

</dir>

Integration of authoring systems of engineering, quality assurance and documentation to PLM could be the first step followed by integrated business and change process and project management.

Product data and design structures as well as innovation and change processes of the company are managed by PLM.

PLM enables the critical cross-functional, multi-enterprise business processes which drive improved product profitability.