_Availability of CAD Data via ThingWorx Navigate Apps outside PLM Windchill and Creo at Schaeffler

Challenges

Visualization of CAD data

Employees from departments like Procurement, Quality Assurance, Prototyping, and Manufacturing need access to product-related CAD data in order to:

• Obtain information on product structure, material master, weight and other additional attributes of objects that are stored in systems such as Windchill PLM and CAD.
• a 3D visualization of the CAD data with the option of highlighting the objects and drawing sections.
• PMI’s (Product Manufacturing Information).
• dimensions in the CAD data.

Software licensing costs

Non-R&D departments need partial information on objects and products stored in systems like Windchill and CAD. Accessing this data requires licenses, but the cost of these licenses is disproportionate to the level of usage.

The solution

• The Design Engineering Apps are web-based applications that provide user-friendly, role-based access to product and object information, such as CAD data.
• They offer visualization of the product structure and a 3D view of CAD data.
• These apps can also be accessed via the System Engineering App “TraceGraph App,” enabling users to verify traced objects at the CAD level and jump to other authoring systems like Windchill or CreoView.

Key results and benefits

• Partial functionalities from Windchill PLM and CAD, relevant to non-engineering target groups, are available in real-time outside these systems:
  • Non-R&D employees can view role-based CAD data and information.
  • Procurement staff can inspect products using the Design Engineering Apps.
  • In Quality Management/Measurement rooms, additional dimensions can be assessed.
  • Planners in Prototyping can use the apps to visualize and access additional CAD information.
• Cost savings are achieved by reducing the number of required licenses without limiting the availability of information.
• No time-consuming training for complex software systems is required.
• The Design Engineering Apps have demonstrated the potential of CAD data visualization, with further solutions planned for broader use.

Outlook

• Two new features will be released in the next phase:
  • Classification view: allows users to see the classification of objects.
  • Where Used: Provides information on where specific parts are used, which is crucial for part changes affecting many products.
  • Part properties: Additional information linked to objects will be provided.

• A role and rights concept is being developed for the Design Engineering Apps, further reducing license costs.

Structure of the engineering apps

The engineering apps are displayed into two groups, based on the user groups:

• Systems Engineering Apps
• Design Engineering Apps

User Experience