Factories today hardly resemble the factories of yesteryear. Today’s factories are full of high-tech digital machinery and robotics that are highly automated. To make today’s digital factories run more efficiency, manufacturing software also needs to advanced.
Siemens this week released the newest version of Tecnomatix software for digital manufacturing, which the company says will help companies in a wide range of industries innovate better and at less risk.
Let’s take a look at what’s new in Tecnomatix 12:
Easy Plan. This new web-based app for plant-specific production planning provides the ability to analyze ‘what-if’ scenarios to ensure feasibility of assembly processes within performance targets. Also assists in identifying value-added and nonvalue-added tasks for the purpose of achieving maximum assembly efficiency.
It works by enabling production planners to link the product design and manufacturing requirements to create detailed plant-specific process plans. Manufacturing operations are defined with 3D visual work instructions, balanced for the available resources and analyzed for cycle times. The software app is intended to be used by factory-floor production planners that need to stay ahead of fluctuating production forecasts and numerous product configurations; while staying within the necessary Takt time.
Advanced robot programming. New simulation solutions for dual arm and cooperative robots can automate more manual tasks, improve efficiency and quality. Robotics programming and simulation is a proven technology for programming and synchronizing multiple independent robots and devices that work together. Tecnomatix 12 introduces new capabilities to program the latest dual arm and cooperative robots that are controlled as one.
It was developed for manufacturers that need to automate manual tasks performed by human beings in order to compete on price and quality – such as those that assemble high-tech electronics and perform packaging. Newly available robots can perform tasks once only workable by humans – and are able to safely work alongside production personnel. While these robots are starting to replace real people in factories, they require skilled workers for programming, installation and maintenance which will create new and higher paying jobs.
Plant Simulation. Optimize complex manufacturing systems for more industries with more productivity. Users build smart digital models of their discrete manufacturing systems in a state-of-the-art 3D simulation environment and then run experiments to identify which processes, parameters and settings result in the best performance. With Tecnomatix 12 the user experience is modernized and new capabilities are available to model and simulate continuous processes that utilize fluids and recipes.
This app was developed for manufacturers that need to achieve efficiency targets, and reduce operating expenses and capital investments. Plant Simulation can assist in identifying opportunities to boost production efficiency and throughput, and minimize energy usage as well as the negative effects that manufacturing can have on the environment. It is proven to reduce capital investments, eliminate bottlenecks, reduce WIP (work in progress) inventory, minimize emissions and reduce energy utilization.
PLM-MES solution enhancements. Close the loop between the virtual and real worlds of production with a model-based execution environment. In the product lifecycle management (PLM) environment, design intent defined on 3D models in the form of product manufacturing information (PMI) is linked to the manufacturing process and delivered directly to the manufacturing execution system for validation in production. Shop floor operators capture non-conformances in the system for disposition and tracking, and corrective and preventive actions are initiated and managed.
PLM-MES integration helps companies execute more efficiently and with more agility. It closes the loop between manufacturing and design by managing change, improving visibility, hard-wiring compliance, and increasing design for manufacturability potential.
Big Data solution for production quality. Take control of production by using volumes of measured data to identify and react to quality trends. Dimensional quality data collected from connected measurement devices in production is loaded into a database where smart analytic tools are used to automate data reporting and generate executive dashboard reports. Enhanced tools are available to help engineers visualize, identify and react to quality trends, as well as correct and prevent issues from recurring. This solution is scalable: it can monitor quality data for multiple devices, factories and even suppliers.
You can find additional information about about the new features of Tecnomatix 12 here.
