|
2PDM www.johnstark.com |
Number 8 |
- Welcome Page 2 - Update Page 3 - News Page 4 - Brief lines | Welcome to this issue of 2PDM, an e-zine distributed every two weeks on a free subscription basis. The following article, 'Determine Minimum Dataset' is the second of a series of articles by Mike Bryan about CAD Data Exchange. The first article, 'A Logical Approach to CAD Data Exchange' appeared in the November 6, 2000 issue. * Determine Minimum Dataset * It is very easy to fall into the trap of attempting to achieve a 100% accurate transfer of CAD data. This is a very difficult, if not impossible, goal. If you really wish to do this then customer and supplier must use identical systems at identical releases and, to be absolutely certain, installed on a common hardware platform. A number of major companies do in fact insist on just this. So suppliers with several major customers find themselves having to support a number of different CAD systems. This, of course, spreads the supplier's resources very thinly, possibly to the detriment of the customers. Multiple CAD systems will prove a real problem for a supplier when trying to integrate his business processes. The normal situation is that a supplier will have a preferred CAD system that is fully integrated into the business. The other CAD systems are just for receiving and transmitting data between customers and the supplier. The supplier then arranges the transfer of the data into his preferred system and the customer has thereby lost his control over the quality of the data. The problem is compounded in a long supply chain. The primary supplier will transfer data to a secondary supplier who will transfer data on to a tertiary supplier etc. Each of these transfers may involve a translation that is done without the customer's knowledge and therefore outside his control and will progressively erode the quality of the original data. Much is written about Supply Chain Management but nowhere have I read about managing the most important resource of all, the product data. It really is incumbent upon the customer to know which supplier will supply the last nut and bolt and to ensure that the product data gets to this supplier with its quality and integrity intact. I remember taking a 'phone call once and listening to a horrendous noise of tortured metal and a voice saying, "can you hear that". It transpired that the operator was machining a cam profile that was defined in the original geometry by a parametric spline but which, by this time, had been inexpertly converted to multiple radii. The length of the cam profile being machined was no more than about two inches (sorry but I am an imperial person) which was represented by more than twenty-five varying radii. The NC machine was performing continuous circular interpolation to which it objected loudly. The supplier was unhappy and we could not be certain that we would get the profile we required. So, getting back to the essence of this section which is 'Determine Minimum Dataset', it is important that the customer has details of the complete supply chain including what CAD and CAM systems will be used and the competence of the suppliers to transfer data onwards. A well organized company will have conducted data exchange tests between its CAD system and the systems of all of its suppliers and will know the subset of entities which will transfer satisfactorily. As I stated at the beginning, we won't get 100% transfer between dissimilar systems and neither do we need it. The great benefit that CAD bestows on the manufacturing world concerns product geometry and is, 'define once, use many times'. This means that the varying manufacturing processes (and engineering) can use the product geometry directly without the need for re-definition. The first action a Production Engineer will do on receiving a CAD definition, prior to generating tool paths, is remove all the annotation. Annotation often gets screwed up in a CAD data transfer, so it is a good idea to remove it from the original part definition and transfer it separately as an image or plot file. A complete part definition as stored in a CAD system will be comprised of much more data than each individual supplier in the chain will require for direct manufacture. Know what a supplier's system can receive. If he cannot handle B-splines then convert these to a form he can, such as parametric splines. This way a customer maintains the quality and integrity of his product data. Data conversions and data abstraction can be done as a pre-processing step before the translation proper into whatever exchange format has been chosen. I am well aware that some companies will not do this and force suppliers to accept what they are prepared to give but they will probably pay for this intransigence in cost and quality. This section has rambled on a bit and 'Determine Minimum Dataset' may not have been the most apt title. Basically what I am attempting to say is the following. Work with the supplier to understand the limits of his systems, agree with him what data he requires to enable direct manufacture, and transfer just this in the agreed exchange format. Any associated data can be transferred in image, plot or hardcopy format. Mike Bryan can be contacted at m.bryan@chyanbre.demon.co.uk |
* Need to go to an EDM/PDM event? * To find out which events are coming up, visit our list of Conferences and Seminars in the EDM/PDM world. |
|
News |
 SolidWorks Corporation announced that it has acquired privately-held CIMLOGIC, a developer of design and drafting annotation tools for the mechanical and electrical CAD markets. Toolbox/SE, CIMLOGIC's fully integrated design automation and drafting annotation tool for SolidWorks software will now be available for purchase as a fully integrated add-on through the SolidWorks sales channel. * Financial results * eBT International, Inc. released financial results for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2000. The Company reported net revenues of $2,532,000 for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2000, versus comparable net revenues of $3,561,000 for its ongoing operations for the same quarter last year. The Company's ongoing operations - which are comprised of the Company's family of Web content management technologies and related services - are run under the name eBusiness Technologies. Total revenue in the prior year third quarter was $19,421,000, including revenues of the Company's former PDM and IED divisions, as well as its former MediaBank product line, all of which were divested between October 1999 and July 2000. Excalibur Technologies Corporation reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2000. Total revenue for the third quarter was $12.3 million, an increase of 47% over total revenue of $8.4 million reported for the same quarter last fiscal year. For the quarter, the Company recorded a net loss of $0.4 million. ImageMax, Inc. announced results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2000. Revenues, operating income, and net loss amounted to $14.0 million, $0.4 million, and $0.1 million respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, compared to $14.5 million, $0.7 million, and net income of $0.1 million in the third quarter of 1999. Follow the links for books in the Product Development Library
* People * Hummingbird announced that Mark D. Spitzer has been appointed to its board of directors. i2 Technologies, Inc. announced that chief operating officer Bob Evans has resigned to pursue other interests full time. Evans was named COO after the company's merger with Aspect Development in June 2000, with principal responsibility for assisting the reorganization of the combined companies. He served as Aspect's president and COO from April 1999 until the merger with i2. Tecoplan AG announced the appointment of Ottmar Knauer to its sales team. * Implementation * Ariba, Inc. announced that The Clorox Company has selected the Ariba B2B Commerce Platform to create global economies of scale and supply chain and business process efficiencies with its suppliers via the Internet. CONTACT Software GmbH announced that Hamburger Hochbahn AG selected CIM DATABASE as its EDM solution. FreightMatrix, a majority owned subsidiary of i2 Technologies, Inc., announced that FreightMatrix has chosen NTE to provide execution services for its logistics e-marketplace. FreightMatrix will make NTE's services available to both its public and private marketplaces. Lascom announced that STNA (French Air Traffic Control) is using WiN-Pdm on its SNER configuration management project. In the design phase, SNER enables STNA and its subcontractors to work on the same data. In the running phase, WiN-Pdm ensures that evolution of the system configuration is tracked, and all modification and change requests (hardware and software) sent to the automated maintenance system so that these modifications are properly taken into account. MatrixOne, Inc. announced that Kapsch AG has implemented the eMatrix solution to improve the productivity and compatibility of its Life Cycle Engineering application. Implemented on schedule by MatrixOne partner Braincon Technologies, eMatrix has been deployed to 400 users at four different Kapsch locations. Mentor Graphics Corporation announced that ATI Technologies, Inc. selected the Mentor Graphics physical verification and sub-wavelength tool suite, Calibre, for its next generation, high-performance multimedia chips. Xilinx, Inc. and Model Technology, a Mentor Graphics company, announced that the Intellectual Property (IP) Solutions Division of Xilinx has standardized on ModelSim for its simulation needs. PTC announced it has received an order for more than $2 million with existing customer Butler International, Inc., a global provider of technical and technology services. PTC announced it has received a follow-on order of PTC's engineering solutions from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Mitsubishi, one of the world-leading automobile manufacturers, implemented more than 1,500 seats of PTC's DIVISION software earlier this year.  Click here to get your FREE 'Step-on-a-Poster' introduction to the CAD/PDM/ERP collaborative standards like ISO 10303, ISO 15926 and many more. QUMAS Inc. announced that Atairgin Technologies, a biotechnology company with headquarters in Irvine, CA, has chosen to implement QUMAS DocCompliance to manage regulatory compliance for all documentation. Atairgin selected the QUMAS system to create an automated, paperless environment and ensure that documentation is compliant with all Federal Drug Administration regulations, including 21 CFR Part 11, regarding electronic signature. SDRC announced a relationship with Matra BAe Dynamics valued approximately at $4 million for software and services over multiple years. The relationship includes initial orders in the fourth quarter of approximately $630,000 for SDRC's Metaphase and Accelis e-Business Integration (e-BI) software and services. Selectica, Inc. announced that Hyundai Motor America has deployed Selectica's ISS to serve as the configuration engine behind the Hyundai QuickQuote program, a new online solution. The ISS enables customers to navigate through specification and feature combinations to configure the exact car they want, save their configuration and send it to a local dealer for pricing and availability. Spescom announced that Railtrack, the company which manages the UK's rail network, has announced its decision to deploy Spescom's Configuration Management Software to facilitate the renewal and relaying of main line routes. Spescom's eB Doc Controller product will be utilized for the creation of a comprehensive database that reflects exactly what it is describing. The software will initially be used on Railtrack's £5.4 billion modernization program for the West Coast Main Line. * Developments * CADCAM-E.COM announced the availability of Pro/ENGINEER to Unigraphics translations through a special web-based service for $195 per part. Cyco Software announced it is shipping new releases of AutoManager WorkFlow and AutoManager View. Both AutoManger WorkFlow 6.2 and AutoManager View 3.2 support AutoCAD 2000i, Mechanical Desktop 5, AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i Power Pack and Mechanical Desktop 5 Power Pack. DELMIA Corp. announced the launch of their Version 5 Release 5 (V5R5) of DELMIA Digital Manufacturing solutions. The V5R5 release provides many enhancements to the previously released DPM for Assembly solution for Assembly Process Definition & Simulation. Digital Paper Corporation announced the immediate availability of its docQuest solution, version 4.0. This version includes enhanced features for e-procurement, production/operations and field services. Informative Graphics Corporation announced the release of MYRIAD V5.0. This release of MYRIAD unites the visualization product line from Informative Graphics, bringing 3D models to Brava! for the first time. IHS Engineering announced new military product offerings to help overcome challenges posed by a changing military marketplace. They include new GSA pricing for the HAYSTACK Parts and Logistics Web Service, new DoD Adopted subscription packages for technical standards, and a new management and purchasing service for individual technical standards documents known as Tech Data Xpress.  Mesa Systems International, Inc. provider of the MesaVista product development portal for engineering teams, announced the release of version 4.0 of MesaVista. The new release includes many new application links and a new configurable MyVista portal page. SDRC announced the release and immediate availability of SDRC FEMAP 8.0, a major software release of the Windows-based Pre- and Post-Processor for engineering finite element analysis. think3 announced a new release of its flagship 'mass 3-D' design software - thinkdesign 6.0. Key innovations in thinkdesign 6.0 include speech-enabled GUI, advanced 3-D functionality, 'Off-the-Shelf' Product Data Management and new web-based 3-D Adventure Game learning software. * Relationships * Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and Transim Technology announced that they have signed a cross-licensing agreement in which the PSpice analog/mixed-signal simulator from Cadence will be integrated as a simulation engine inside of Transim's WebSIM Internet-based services. Cyco Software announced it has joined the Compaq Solutions Alliance, a worldwide development and marketing partnering program. Cyco will benchmark and test all of its AutoManager Meridian document management software on the latest Compaq ProLiant servers. Dassault Systemes and SGI announced the signing of a Component Application Architecture V5 development partnership to develop high end immersive solutions fully integrated within the ENOVIA DMU navigator environment. Dassault Systemes and ZEH Software, Inc. announced the signing of a Component Application Architecture V5 development partnership agreement. Through this development agreement, ZEH will create, market and sell technical output management applications that are fully integrated and complementary to CATIA V5 solutions. Hummingbird and ZixIt announced a strategic alliance that will extend the Hummingbird EIP by offering seamless, secure Internet messaging services through ZixMail and SecureDelivery services. Informative Graphics Corp. announced that its Brava! software will be integrated by Primavera Systems, Inc. into PrimeContract, Primavera's online project collaboration, commerce and control application for the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. b2bScene, a division of Open Text Corporation, announced that its partner, eBuild.ca Inc. has launched its online collaboration services for the construction market in Canada, based on b2bScene's e-Business Community Platform. eBuild.ca is Canada's largest provider of end to end solutions for the $3.9 trillion global building design and construction industry. PTC announced its new worldwide channel partner program. PTC is actively recruiting and supporting MCAD resellers in specific geographies under the leadership of veteran channel manager Larry McMenamy who was recently named to the newly created position of vice president of Worldwide Channel Sales. Unigraphics Solutions Inc. announced that CAD Potential has expanded its Solid Edge reseller channel to include Texas and Oklahoma. This expansion makes CAD Potential the largest Solid Edge reseller in the United States, with an 11-state territory. Verity, Inc. and Segue Software, Inc. announced they have teamed to deliver fast and flexible search results to Segue's customers. Segue has deployed the Verity Information Server, Spider, and Document Navigator to organize and centralize a wide variety of information from knowledge bases, publications, and documentation, enabling both field and corporate personnel to have access to the same information quickly and reliably. ZoomON announced that Manufacturing-trade, an eServices provider for the mechanical engineering industry, will integrate ZoomON Vizit into its Internet-enabled Request for Proposal (RFP) software tool suite that allows mechanical engineering professionals to view and share technical documents over the web. * Other * AristaSoft announced it participated as the first beta user of webMethods Packaged Integrations utilizing it in several of its own customer deployments including TollBridge Technologies. Axiom Systems announced a custom service offering which allows customers of Motiva's PDM product to easily migrate to SmarTeam. Axiom Systems, an authorized VAR and service center for both SmarTeam and Motiva, is in a unique position to offer services to those customers contemplating the fate of their Motiva deployment. Engineous Software announced it has opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, as a branch of Engineous Japan, Inc. The office will promote and market iSIGHT, as well as related consulting services, to the Korean market. MatrixOne, Inc. announced that it ranked number 197 on the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology companies in North America. Rankings are based on a five-year percentage revenue growth from 1995-1999. MatrixOne's revenue grew 2,093 percent during this period. Mesa Systems International, Inc. announced that the company has successfully met requirements in the first two phases of a six-year partnership agreement with Lockheed Martin Management & Data Systems (M&DS). M&DS is using MesaVista as a foundation for its Integrated Program Environment initiative, the goal of which is to provide web-based support for product development throughout the organization and across the entire development lifecycle. PlanetCAD Inc. (formerly Spatial Inc.) announced that since the divestiture of Spatial's Component Division to Dassault Systemes, the company has changed its name to PlanetCAD Inc. and will be focusing on the growing business of streamlining the interchange of engineering data throughout the manufacturing supply chain. PTC announced the addition of Suzuki Motor to PTC's Performance Team Program. As part of this initiative, PTC will provide engineering software and services for the Suzuki Motorcycle Racing Division. |
Brief lines | To subscribe to 2PDM, fill in the subscription form or send an e-mail headed 'start 2PDM subscription' to pdm@2pdm.com Subscription cost Subscribers receive 2PDM free of charge. Privacy policy We understand and respect your desire for privacy. The information we ask for at subscription time is the minimum necessary to effectively fulfill your subscription and communicate with you if and when necessary. We do not release the information you provide us to third parties. In case of further questions, you can reach us at pdm@2pdm.com Previous issues Click here to access previous issues of 2PDM. Limited time We know you have a busy schedule. To reduce delivery and reading time, 2PDM has a simple format and concise content. Termination of subscription To terminate subscription, please send an e-mail headed 'stop 2PDM subscription' to pdm@2pdm.com Sponsorship 2PDM is provided free of charge to its readers. Companies that share our objectives of promoting successful implementation of EDM and PDM systems and world-class product development performance may sponsor 2PDM. There is space for a maximum of one sponsor message per page, except on this 'Brief lines' page - where there is room for several short sponsor messages. Publication frequency 2PDM is published approximately every two weeks. Copyright Copyright 2000 by John Stark. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce text or graphics Applications for permission to reproduce part or parts of 2PDM (text or graphics) should be sent to pdm@2pdm.com Permission to make 2PDM available within an organization Applications for permission to make 2PDM available within a company or other organization (e.g. by internal mail, corporate Intranet, etc.) are usually accepted. Please send a request for permission to pdm@2pdm.com Disclaimer Information provided in 2PDM is intended solely to provide general guidance on matters of interest for the personal use of the reader, who accepts full responsibility for its use. Information is provided 'as is', with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to, the warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose. Nothing in 2PDM shall to any extent substitute for the independent investigations and the sound technical and business judgement of the reader. Technology, laws and regulations are continually changing, and can only be interpreted in the light of particular factual situations. The information in 2PDM does not constitute technological, business, legal, investment or consulting advice, and should only be used in conjunction with appropriate professional advice obtained by the reader from a suitably qualified professional who understands the reader's particular factual situation. |
