Gaps Analysis of Integrating Product Design, Manufacturing, and Quality Data in The Supply Chain Using Model Based Definition.
Advances in information technology triggered a digital revolution that holds promise of reduced costs, improved productivity, and higher quality. To ride this wave of innovation, manufacturing enterprises are changing how product definitions are communicated from paper to models. To achieve industry's vision of the Model Based Enterprise (MBE) the MBE strategy must include model based data interoperability from design to manufacturing and quality in the supply chain. The Model Based Definition (MBD) is created by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) using Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools. This information is then shared with the supplier so that they can manufacture and inspect the physical parts. Today, suppliers predominantly use Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) models for these tasks. Traditionally, the OEM has provided design data to the supplier in the form of two dimensional (2D) drawings, but may also include a three dimensional (3D) shape geometry model, often in a standards based format such as ISO 10303 203:2011 (STEP AP203) The supplier then creates the respective CAM and CMM models and machine programs to produce and inspect the parts. In the MBE vision for model based data exchange, the CAD model must include product and manufacturing information (PMI) in addition to the shape geometry. Today's CAD tools can generate models with embedded PMI. And, with the emergence of STEP AP242, a standards based model with embedded PMI can now be shared downstream. The on going research detailed in this paper seeks to investigate three concepts. First, that the ability to utilize a STEP AP242 model with embedded PMI for CAD to CAM and CAD to CMM data exchange is possible and valuable to the overall goal of a more efficient process. Second, the research identifies gaps in tools, standards, and processes that inhibit industry's ability to cost effectively achieve model based data interoperability in the pursuit of the MBE vision. Finally, it also seeks to explore the interaction between CAD and CMM processes and determine if the concept of feedback from CAM and CMM back to CAD is feasible. The main goal of our study is to test the hypothesis that model based data interoperability from CAD to CAM and CAD to CMM is feasible through standards based integration. This paper presents several barriers to model based data interoperability. Overall, the project team demonstrated the exchange of product definition data between CAD, CAM, and CMM systems using standards based methods. While gaps in standards coverage were identified, the gaps should not stop industry's progress toward MBE. The results of our study provide evidence in support of an open standards method to model based data interoperability, which would provide maximum value and impact to industry.
Proceedings of the ASME International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering. ASME International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering