Process data management in the whole product creation process

Abstract

The presently short innovation cycles are one of the biggest challenges for companies. Therefore, not only time to market but also time for developing new products has to be shortened. To face this challenge, more and more software tools are used during the whole product synthesis. One of these tools is a product data management system for integration and administration of all kind of CAx-data. With suitable data transfer and information processing methods, it is possible to shorten time between CAD-model and the assembly with industrial robots to a few moments using a continuous data model. Equally, it is possible to realize a backward data transmission from later stages of product synthesis to the product development where this information can be used as rules in engineering workbenches. Using the product data management system as an information feed-back control system, a more robust and sustainable abbreviated product synthesis can be realized.