_Streamlining Automotive Manufacturing Processes with PTC MPMLink: Understanding Windchill
author
Erik Rieger
Principal Business Analyst
18 September 2024
Reading time: 5 minutes
Optimizing automotive production processes and managing complex supply chains present several challenges in the automotive industry. As the automobile industry advances, particularly with digital twin technology, automakers are seeking more efficient and agile manufacturing solutions to remain competitive in a fast-changing market. The historical evolution of motor vehicles has significantly impacted the automotive industry, especially with the development of mass production techniques and the global shift in manufacturing dominance during the 20th century. With digitalization on the rise and Industry 4.0 principles in play, automakers are exploring innovative ways to change their operations.
A powerful solution for process optimization in automotive manufacturing
MPMLink, which stands for Manufacturing Process Management Link, is a vital part of PTC’s Windchill PLM suite. MPMLink, a module within the Windchill product line, enables the transformation from eBOM, sBOM, or rBOM and facilitates the creation of process and control plans. It then connects Windchill with ERP and other enterprise systems, providing comprehensive visibility into the production process. By integrating data from various sources, MPMLink helps enhance efficiency for automobile manufacturers and reduce costs through configuration, integration, and process automation, thereby optimizing business processes.
Product lifecycle management (PLM) plays a crucial role in improving processes across various industries by ensuring real-time data analysis and collaboration throughout the product’s lifecycle.
TT PSC, a leading provider of PLM and PTC Windchill services has vast experience in implementing MPMLink for its customers in the automotive industry. TT PSC’s use cases further demonstrate how powerful MPMLink is when it comes to optimizing production processes.
Managing the Production Process and Collaboration with PTC
Managing the production process in the automotive industry requires the involvement and cooperation of multiple teams. Collaboration with PTC in the context of the Windchill MPMLink tool enables not only data management but also process planning. This system allows for the documentation of the process plan, making it easier to manage individual production steps. As a result, collaboration with production becomes more efficient, allowing for better control over task progress.
Business benefits of MPMLink in product lifecycle management
Enhanced operational efficiency
MPMLink enhances resource allocation through the streamlining of production planning and scheduling utilized by automotive manufacturers, thereby optimizing resource allocation and utilization for process optimization. This results in the elimination of bottlenecks, reducing downtime during the production of products, and increasing overall efficiency.
Data analysis plays a crucial role in managing production processes, enhancing visibility and efficiency in the product design process among all business stakeholders.
Cost reduction
By optimizing material usage and minimizing scrap rates or rework costs, manufacturers can significantly reduce waste material usage. This is made possible by MPMLink’s inventory management capabilities, which allow for more efficient material usage. Ultimately, this results in enhanced productivity and cost savings across the entire manufacturing process.
Accelerated time-to-market
The implementation of MPMLink enables faster product development cycles, which can be achieved through improved change management processes and process improvement. By reducing the production process planning effort, automotive manufacturers can minimize time to market for new products and variants, giving them a competitive advantage over their competitors in the industry.
Technical aspects of MPMLink implementation with digital twin technology
Configuration of MPM modules in Windchill
MPMLink offers configurable MPM modules on Windchill that can be easily adapted to meet the specific needs of automotive manufacturing. This enables manufacturers to automate their processes and optimize them, as they can now create production workflows, procedures, and rules.
Leveraging Digital Twins for process automation
MPMLink enables the transformation of eBOM (Engineering Bill of Materials) into various BOM types, creating digital twins – virtual replicas of physical assets used in production. This digital twin technology facilitates enhanced design processes and real-time data analysis to improve vehicle safety. This process includes:
Creating process plans with work instructions that are connected to CAD data.
Generating visualizations that can be used in augmented reality (AR) scenarios.
These steps lead to the following benefits:
Car manufacturers can simulate and optimize production activities before implementation, allowing for proactive improvements.
Increased work quality, even for less experienced workers, thanks to AR visualizations.
Furthermore, work steps can be utilized in IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) on the digital shop floor for measurement and quality assurance. This comprehensive approach allows car manufacturers to significantly increase production efficiency and quality.
MPMLink also enhances product development processes by connecting product information and processes, driving agile development and helping companies bring innovative products to market more efficiently.
Integration with existing ERP and PLM systems
MPMLink’s integration of Windchill, ERP, and other enterprise systems into a unified platform ensures seamless data exchange between these platforms. This integration eliminates the silos of product, process, and production-related information that can arise in siloed systems.
TT PSC’s expertise in MPMLink implementation for the automotive industry
Transition Technologies PSC has successfully implemented MPMLink based on its previous experience in the automotive sector, streamlining key processes such as automating tasks and enhancing workforce efficiency. For instance, Transition Technologies PSC was engaged by Liebherr, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of machine tools and automation systems, to enhance the ability to integrate additional locations into your PLM environment, reducing time to value and increasing quality at the same time. Also other OEMs leveraged TTPSCs experience in this area.
The significance of product data management in fostering global collaboration within concurrent design environments cannot be overstated. A secure and highly integrated system supports multi-CAD functionalities, streamlining the management of product data.
Summary
PTC Windchill offers transformational opportunities for automakers seeking more efficient means of managing their own plants, including those producing commercial vehicles. It ensures competitiveness for all concerned, while allowing vehicle manufacturers to obtain maximum benefits derived from using MPMLink to enhance their production, reduce costs, and quicken product introduction.
One of the significant challenges in the industry is manual data entry, which can lead to bottlenecks and inefficiencies in sales order processing and product lifecycle management. Automating data capture and management can improve speed, reduce errors, and enhance overall efficiency in business processes.
As the millennial generation continues to evolve, it is essential for them to embrace new ideas like MPMLink to succeed in the future.
Digital Transformation in the Automotive Industry: How PLM is Revolutionizing the Automotive Sector
The modern automotive industry faces dynamic changes driven by the need to adapt to global technological, environmental, and economic trends. Digital transformation in the automotive sector plays a crucial role in addressing these industry challenges. In this context, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), empowered by digital transformation, has become an essential tool for implementing modern solutions […]
What does Eco-Design mean and why it’s important to businesses and the environment?
Explore the importance of eco-design for businesses and the environment. Learn how eco-design principles, from material reduction to recyclability, enhance sustainability, reduce costs, and support regulatory compliance, offering a competitive edge in today’s market.
Navigating through the Systematic Approach of Sustainable Product Design
Sustainable product design encompasses a systematic approach that considers environmental and economic aspects throughout a product’s life cycle. Sustainability and environmental impact have become a fourth key performance indicator (KPI) in product development, joining the traditional metrics of time, cost, and quality. Environmental impacts Adopting a design for sustainability framework positions companies at the forefront […]
Breaking Down Scope 3 Emissions: Best Practices for CSRD Reporting
Uncertain about Scope 3 emissions and the CSRD? This article delves deep, unpacking the importance of sustainable product lifecycles and how ecoPLM empowers businesses to excel in sustainability reporting. Discover how technology is key to transparency and environmental responsibility, taking your business beyond compliance and into a sustainable future.
Sustainable Product Lifecycle Design – Green Innovation Insights
Design for lifecycle sustainability is not just a concept but a necessity in today's environmentally conscious world. By adopting practices aligned with the EcoDesign Directive, utilizing Digital Product Passports, and employing technologies like CCS, industries can significantly reduce their environmental impact. With the support of GreenPLM toolbox, businesses can seamlessly integrate these practices into their operations, paving the way for a sustainable and profitable future.
Designing modular products: The benefit of variant management in PLM
Delve into the world of Modular Design and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) where Variant Management emerges as a game-changer. Discover how embracing modularity and variant flexibility can lead to enhanced product customization, improved efficiency, and a competitive edge in the market. Unravel the benefits and strategies for implementing successful variant management in your PLM processes, and stay ahead in the dynamic world of product development. Join us in exploring how to revolutionize your approach to product design and management!
Information from various systems within a business is comparable to clues in a criminal case. Every single trace conceals information. Some of them drop out due to a lack of documentation.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) – what it is and what makes it essential for the success of a manufacturing company
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is by no means a new concept, in fact it has been around since humans started producing things. However, PLM has a different meaning nowadays.
In February 2020, we described how to upgrade Windchill to version 11 step by step. Over a year has passed since that time and a new major version of Windchill – 12 – was released. Today we will show you how to perform an upgrade from Windchill 11 to Windchill 12. Are you ready for Windchill uprade?
Migration from Creo Elements/Direct Model Manager to PTC Windchill – a whim or a necessity?
Product lifecycle management has never been more relevant than it is now, in an ever-changing world. Today, it is no longer enough to have a great idea or even good execution. What is needed now is full control over the product - from concept, through design and production, to service and disposal.
Why is it worth investing in PLM software testing?
Most modern manufacturing companies use PLM systems to document and manage product data. PLM systems support many important operations in a company: first of all – administration of CAD files, documents, and data related to change management. All these functions are permanently updated with new requirements. A small error that occurs in one area can negatively affect whole processes.
Digital Transformation – technological trends for the successful evolution of the automotive industry
The new opportunities associated with Industry 4.0 require companies to adapt to the new environment. In this article, we take a closer look at the current situation in the automotive industry, discuss the challenges it faces and the opportunities offered by digital transformation.
Data Migrations in PLM: how to secure your company’s most important assets – information
Migrating data to a PLM system is often a very complex undertaking, where business environment and ways in which data is being operated on play a key role. A Migration – what is it, what approaches are the most common and what challenges lay ahead of each one? These and more questions are answered in this article.
Change Management in Windchill PDMLink – effective and easy product changes with optimized processes
Process of the product development consists of many steps that are often very complicated, time consuming and not well defined. It is common that companies are struggling to track the progress of the development and keep the documentation up to date. The main challenge that I would like to focus on is the continuous need to improve the product. Because we do not live in the perfect world the changes are unavoidable – whether it is just small fragment of the design that needs to be updated, the part you have been using so far is no longer available or you have to make sure that the product meets the requirements of the new markets.
Brand new capabilities in Windchill 12, the latest version of a well-known PLM system from PTC
Windchill is PTC’s flagship Product Lifecycle Management software, which has its latest version this year - WNC12. The long-announced premiere, scheduled for 2020, was questioned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But PTC did not disappoint – on 9th June, at the fair in Boston, it announced the release of the latest version of its product lifecycle management (PLM) software. Windchill, which is considered a model example of an Enterprise Class System, has gained new functionalities. What is the potential of the latest, twelfth version of this program? We decided to analyze it for you.
What you should know about Product Lifecycle Management in the Cloud
With Cloud technologies developing rapidly in recent years, so came the thought of using the Cloud for hosting various systems in it, from computationally demanding, through mission critical and more. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems were no different and a large number of both PLM vendors and customers attempted to leverage benefits the Cloud brings to gain that competitive edge world’s best manufacturers always strive for.
Windchill PLM: OOTB, configuration or customization?
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) vendors promise their systems to be so great, they can be used by organizations from the get-go, revolutionizing how they define and manage their product data. However, that is the case only for those organizations who are willing to adapt their own internal standards and procedures for the sake of pre-implemented best practices within PLM systems.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques have been inseparable from the very dynamic development of industry for many years and their role is growing with every decade. What started as fairly simple systems that functioned basically as virtual drawing boards, has developed over time into packages of advanced IT tools. Although initially they could only be used by select research institutes and the largest and most developed corporations, CAD systems have gradually gained popularity, acquired new functionalities and became easier to use. However, the real revolution took place in the era of fast Internet and Industry 4.0, when CAD systems have dynamically transformed into sophisticated tools integrated with PDM and PLM systems. In addition to the ability to develop a complete 3D representation of a product in a virtual environment, they support virtually all other activities related to the broadly understood design, construction, digital prototyping and preparation of data for other stages of the product life cycle.
8 key capabilities of the PTC Windchill 11 system that will help strengthen the business value of your company
The manufacturing sector is changing faster than ever. The increasing multifaceted nature of processes is associated with maintaining operational efficiency and high quality. The need for transparency and efficiency of operations is increasing and product innovations need to be implemented more and more quickly. Effective planning is the key to the business success of the organisation. In the Industry 4.0 era, IT technologies dedicated to product lifecycle management (PLM) have become even more helpful.
A simple guide to performing a Windchill 10.x upgrade
Still running a Windchill PLM system version 10.0, 10.1 or 10.2? There are several reasons why you should consider upgrading to version 11.1 (or newer).
ALM is an abbreviation of Application Lifecycle Management. As the name shows, the concept was supposed to be used mainly by developers during the process of creating programs. Currently, ALM is widely used in different business fields, where it helps manage a variety of projects. This continuous process of software development can be divided into […]
Upgrade & Migration Team – story about people ideas and the way they evolve in reality
Once upon a time.. Far far away, over a hills and forests… Wait.. Wait.. Wait.. This is not another long fairytale about princesses, castles and dragons without merit or concrete, measurable value. This is a story about pursuing targets and passions. This is a story about people’s ideas and the way they evolve […]
27 000 work hours on PLM projects for the aviation industry tycoon
After four year of contract, Transition Technologies PSC just finished realization of five different projects for huge Brazilian aviation concern. Many hours of hard working… During all of this time our specialist have pended almost 27 000 working hours on the best solutions in PLM, including applications like: PTC Windchill and PTC Integrity Lifecycle […]