Beyond the typical use of PLM in managing product data during design stages, the third instalment of our Intelligent Product Lifecycle series showcases the applicability of Windchill PLM into manufacturing incl. production, service, and sustainment. We discuss how Windchill’s design planning, configuration management, and change management capabilities (including the integration of AI technology) helps to streamline processes across an organisation.
We begin with a quick recap of part two of the series, with Allan Thompson, PTC Technical Manager at LEAP providing an overview of the key points covered, with a particular emphasis on the importance of the BOM and how it helps to build the PLM backbone that enables the Intelligent Product Lifecycle and helps to facilitate collaboration across departments.
In the clip below, Allan explains how the digital part and its associated information as discussed in part two of the series, can be extended by creating different part types such as mechanical components, manuals, and software parts, each with its own unique attributes and lifecycles. These improved attributes and properties make product definitions easier to manage, especially when it comes to parts classification. Classification is used to aid in efficiently categorising and searching for parts within Windchill, thus preventing the creation of duplicate entries. These classifications streamline the process of reusing components and ensure engineers can quickly locate the resources they need.
Allan discusses the role of supplier management in PLM, highlighting how Windchill allows teams to manage approved manufacturers and vendors directly within their product structures. This integration not only aids in sourcing decisions but also provides critical information about parts in the context of design and assembly. He then touches on the exciting AI features coming soon to Windchill – specifically AI parts rationalisation which uses geometry-based searches to identify duplicate parts efficiently. This upcoming functionality is primed to make a significant impact by reducing redundancy in parts databases, ultimately saving time and costs for companies managing extensive libraries of components. Watch the clip below to learn more.
Next, Allan explains how BOM structures evolve throughout the product development process, encompassing everything from initial requirements to detailed engineering, manufacturing, and service. As designs grow in complexity, maintaining a clear and traceable BOM becomes essential. Windchill’s BOM transformation tools allow users to create, manage, and validate various BOMs, such as manufacturing and service BOMs, ensuring that each version of the BOM reflects the necessary changes while retaining associations with upstream item data. This comprehensive traceability aids in reconciling changes and streamlining workflows across the product lifecycle.
Allan demonstrates Windchill’s manufacturing process management capabilities which enable users to define the steps involved in assembling products effectively. By breaking down the manufacturing BOM into a series of operations, manufacturers can allocate resources, link tooling, and define control characteristics directly within the system. This integration includes generating work instructions that are constantly updated with the most recent information, ensuring that employees have the necessary guidance while executing tasks. The automation of this process not only enhances efficiency but also creates a digital thread that ties together all aspects of product design, manufacturing, and operation. Watch the clip below to learn more and to see Windchill’s management and manufacturing process planning tools in action.
Ensuring adherence to quality standards is essential across every stage of product development and Windchill offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to manage various quality processes. Windchill allows users to define control characteristics directly within CAD models, enabling seamless integration into BOMs and manufacturing process plans. Additional quality management modules available in Windchill include document control, audits, non-conformance reporting and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) solutions, all of which work in concert to create a robust quality management framework that feeds back into the change management processes discussed previously.
In the clip below, Allan explains Windchill’s closed-loop quality approach and demonstrates how quality-driven items such as customer complaints or non-conformance reports can trigger necessary changes in documentation and product design. This interconnected system not only streamlines the tracking of quality issues but also simplifies the audit process, allowing teams to easily access linked quality-related information associated with specific components or processes. By consolidating all quality data within Windchill, organisations can enhance their ability to maintain compliance and improve overall product reliability. For a detailed look at these quality management features and their implications for effective PLM, we encourage you to watch the full video clip from the webinar below.
Don’t miss the final webinar in our Intelligent Product Lifecycle series, Enterprise Data Access with Windchill which will look at how Windchill helps companies maximise the value of their product data by providing access across the organisation. Topics will include:
• Sharing Data with Other Enterprise Systems
• Windchill Navigate Apps
• Role Specific App Tailoring
• Custom App Development
At any time, feel free to reach out to speak to our expert PLM team to discuss your specific requirements.