Would you like to optimize your ECAD development? Then it's worth taking a look at product lifecycle management (PLM) systems. This is because integrating your ECAD tools in a PLM system provides you with three different kinds of support: It offers you a transparent view of complete, consistent product data together with its different versions, it integrates information in digitally-controlled processes as needed, and it enhances your knowledge management with best practices. Last but not least, other development teams and technology partners can also be incorporated in the innovation process, as can your colleagues in materials management and production.
Price long ago stopped being the primary factor when it comes to awarding contracts for projects involving automation or printed circuit boards (PCBs). In addition to an appropriate solution and the project price, it is the total cost of a project that is becoming increasingly important. This means that technology providers that are in a strong position when it comes to all things digital will come out on top. This is because they are able to plan projects quickly and efficiently and speed up production by generating the necessary data. Use of a PLM system makes your projects more efficient, improves the quality of your projects and thus increases your competitive strength.
The development of PCBs is characterized by different work streams for circuit diagrams and PCB design, which means that both engineering disciplines usually create different numbers of versions. If managed in a structured manner, the respective revision levels of the ECAD projects, with their native CAD data, generic manufacturing data and BOMs, etc., remain completely transparent.
When linked across disciplines in the PLM system, it is obvious which circuit diagram and production data belongs to which PCB. The PLM system documents the as-built version, which is important in the context of product liability. Information generated in a neutral or exchange format allows interdisciplinary collaboration without the need for a CAD license. A granular access permission concept controls direct use of the PLM data.
Bidirectional ECAD integration ensures a high level of acceptance due to the fact that your designers will always be working in their familiar development environment when they open documents from/save documents to the PLM system. Wizards make data handling easier thanks to icons and checkboxes.
The individual PLM data model provides a structured overview of the numerous documents and objects, especially in the context of machines and systems. Even large distributed de-velopment teams can not only keep track of the progress of the project as a whole but also of the individual project statuses.
For example, the results from the preliminary planning phase reference the results from the detailed planning phase, including all the automatically generated lists and overviews for production, quality assurance and material management, etc. These make it clear which cabinets are responsible for which functions, what each of the control elements in the con-trol units do and the power stage fitted to each of the drive controllers. Your PLM architec-ture defines where and how the information is stored.
Storage of the information is controlled by individual project templates. These templates represent your best practices and standardize project documentation. Because linking is performed immediately, the structure indicates interrelationships and dependencies, for example between the 3D control cabinet layout XPLM Article Page 2 XPLM is a globally operating PLM solution provider, specializing in integrating applications, processes, data and information, for optimum, cross-domain collaboration between engineers. With its unique technology portfolio, XPLM integrates between leading PLM, MCAD, ECAD, SysML, ERP, Office, Requirements Management, and ALM / Software tools. ABOUT XPLM and sheet metal processing, and refers to the appropriate cable or wire harness assembly as well as the terminal strip design with connection lists.
PLM systems offer you the opportunity to map your processes digitally and automate them where it makes sense.
This includes the fact that when a new project is created, the PLM system automatically sets up the entire storage structure, including all file templates, for example for exchanging information. When files are created later on, they are named in accordance with the predefined strings.
Specific events can automatically trigger defined actions in the product engineering process (PEP) itself. If for example the layout of the system is modified, any colleagues who may need to modify their documentation can be notified when the new version is saved. This is especially useful in the case of heterogeneous engineering teams because such securely controlled processes allow them to work in parallel. Short development cycles help them continuously synchronize their respective project status. This shortens the product release process.
The presumably last version can in turn trigger the release process. The corresponding PLM workflow defines the individual steps, the regulatory requirements that need to be met, the relevant documents including checklists, and the responsible approval team. If a release process is triggered, the members of the release team receive a corresponding message that describes the task and links to the required information.
Another factor for successful PLM is a component library that is always up to date. The component database is automatically synchronized with the consistent article master data that is maintained centrally in a PLM or ERP system according to defined rules. This prevents the creation of duplicates and the use of obsolete or discontinued parts. At the same time, reused components not only reduce your material and storage costs but also ensure the use of compatible components.
When storing a BOM, the ECAD PLM integration automatically checks whether the BOM includes new components. If this is the case, the component can be created in the PLM or ERP system or the in-house process can be triggered. If new parts are created in the PLM or ERP system, the ECAD library is also updated.
The ECAD PLM integration supports your designers during the engineering process, for example by displaying missing parts and comparing BOMs, as well as with flexible search mechanisms, a where-used function and much more.
The support provided by a PLM system allows high-quality products to be created within the planned time, cost and quality parameters. The product development process is transparent at all times. Its history and the history of all its changes can be traced at any time. At the same time, PLM integrations help to build an interdisciplinary, digital value network that works much more efficiently than is possible using conventional, sequential product development processes, thus offering great potential for shortening the time to market.