Most manufacturing companies have implemented digital systems for such tasks as product design and lifecycle management, order requesting, manufacturing execution, and more. Having a strong foundation in digital manufacturing automation — including process standardization — is essential to add AM workflows without increasing complexity.
A complete digital manufacturing workflow requires a comprehensive software stack that includes:
1. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software: PLM manages the entire lifecycle of a product from conception through design, manufacturing, service, and disposal. PLM integrates people, data, processes, and business systems. It is a central repository for all product-related information. It enables collaboration across departments, automates workflows, and ensures version control for product data. Design and simulation platforms (CAD and CAE) are subsets of PLM.
2. Manufacturing Execution System (MES): This core component monitors, tracks, and documents the entire production process from raw materials to finished products. It integrates with other systems and provides real-time data on manufacturing operations. As explained below, AM workflow will become a part of your overall MES operations.
3. Supply Chain Management (SCM) software: This system oversees the entire supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products. SCM software integrates with other systems to optimize inventory levels, manage supplier relationships, coordinate logistics, and improve overall supply chain visibility and efficiency. It typically includes:
- Demand planning and forecasting
- Inventory management
- Procurement and sourcing
- Order management
- Transportation management
- Warehouse management
- Supplier relationship management
Supply Chain Management bridges the gap between product development and overall business operations.
4. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software: Works in conjunction with the MES to manage business processes, financials, and resource planning.
5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software: Monitors interactions with customers and tracks orders.
6. Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) software: Automates the quotation process and integrates with inventory/warehouse systems and CRM.
7. Manufacturing Intelligence Solution: Extracts real-time data from equipment and automates workflows. Often comes as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) with edge devices for data collection.
8. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform: Connects physical elements with sensors and software for real-time data exchange and monitoring.
9. Workflow Automation software: Enables creation of custom workflows to streamline processes like document reviews, approvals, and administrative tasks. This is often custom created on a company-by-company or plant-by-plant basis.
Once these nine fundamental elements are in place, the AM workflow can be inserted into the production phase as an aspect of manufacturing execution. Customization is almost always necessary to add AM into the workflow. Companies will need to create custom scripts and programs to automate repetitive tasks such as data gathering and build preparation.
This integrated stack allows for seamless data exchange between various systems, ensuring efficient operations and enabling automation throughout the manufacturing process. Each piece of the stack can be customized and optimized.
The data flow from one piece of the stack to the next is perhaps the most critical element of all. These systems all have ways to exchange data, but they don’t simply come together like jigsaw puzzle pieces. Understanding both the purpose of each piece in the stack and how it relates to the next piece is crucial to assembling a fully digital automated workflow for additive manufacturing.
Expert guidance is essential to success. The specialists at Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM International, stand ready to assist organizations in making informed decisions and implementing additive manufacturing. For more information visit https://wohlersassociates.com/consulting/
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