Japan Marine United needed a more intuitive way, that was cost-effective, for their workers to understand their complex assembly processes that could also accommodate their extremely large models
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Tags: engineering processes, Lightweight & Accurate 3D Format, Interactive Assembly Instructions, Work Instructions, Assembly Process Planning, Concurrent Engineering, Lattice News
–Strategic Relationship Gives Companies in Russia an Experienced Partner for Deploying Solutions that Improve Manufacturing Lifecycle Processes—
“Lattice Technology is pleased to have Itorum as a partner because of their proven abilities to implement documentation development systems for customers in a wide variety of industries,” said Bill Barnes, General Manager, Lattice Technology, Inc. “Itorum’s expertise in consulting, personnel training, and operating specialized software designed for technical documentation and e-Learning courses makes them an excellent partner for our solutions.
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Tags: Lattice News
We saw this article and think it is a good historical accounting of how 3D visualization has matured:
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Tags: 3D Visualization & Sharing, Spare Parts & Service, XVL, Design Review, Digital Manufacturing, Lightweight & Accurate 3D Format, Lattice News
The economic globalization and the cross-border trade of commodities and services have been going on for some considerable time. But it has become considerably more attractive in the last decade. The fast technological advances, along with a shift in the way protectionism is viewed, have played an important role in the process.
Trade restrictions or regulations with foreign nations not only protect business and workers, but they also limit competition and market share. Free trade generates growth opportunities that benefit the economy. Competition is good, it heats up the market, but competitive advantage is the main objective.
Unfortunately it is harder than it sounds but, at least, not as difficult as it used to be not that long ago, when video conferencing, Internet access, and other high tech gadgets were a privilege of the first world. Nowadays, third world countries have embraced high tech solutions as their ticket to a better economy. It is a high investment that pays off when it is done properly.
But, how about cultural differences, they can be a major barrier. How can you increase your manufacturing operations in a third world country, if you might end up paying more for the cheaper labor to keep your standards and quality commitment?
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Tags: XVL, Digital Manufacturing, Lightweight & Accurate 3D Format, Lattice News
Yes, that is exactly what I meant!... but it is also the title of Design Engineering editor Anthony Lockwood's article published on June 30, 2011.
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As Lattice Technology, Inc.’s General Manager, traveling to Europe to see the use and growth of Lattice Technology solutions is always a great part of my job. This trip was no exception. One of the first items on my agenda was a visit to the Hannover Industrial Fair 2011. I went there to finalize our relationship with new partner Ingenieurgemeinschaft Klietsch GmbH. They were exhibiting on the PTC booth in the PLM hall. The fair looked busy – maybe a sign that the economy is improving? Klietsch provide a range of CAD and related tools for structural steel and piping customers.
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The Need for Lightweight Data
The evolution of 3D design has brought the opportunity to expand its application to downstream processes. The 3D geometry along with other data including configuration, colors, annotations, dimensions, and animations can support production processes at the manufacturing floor.Developed for the manufacturing industry, CAD software packages are able to render the 3D geometry of parts by using precise free-form surface representations. Industries such as aerospace and automotive demand the management of large varieties of parts - ranging from tens of thousands to several million, which are ordinarily used for designing and manufacturing. In response to this demand CAD manufactures complemented their software with product databases (PDM - Product Data Management), which is progressively turning into conventional business for many of them.
Once the products are being designed with CAD and data is being managed by PDM, a system to hold everything together, the whole product life-cycle, is fundamental. The PLM - Product Lifecycle Management system, developed by CAD vendors is an infrastructure tool for manufacturing.
Since it is essentially a design tool, 3D CAD cannot be quickly and easily handled. The 3D data needs to be manipulated on the shop floor, in order to be useful. The use of the 3D CAD in design has been an increasing trend for problems in the downstream processes.
The progress of digital data allowed 3D design to become more complex and, thus, the amount of required data has itself become massive. Entire assemblies have become huge files that require time and distinctive hardware to be manipulated.
Continuously improving 3D CAD is always catching up with the newest hardware technology, which doesn't necessarily happen to the low end computers that are used in downstream processes, thus resulting in files incompatibility.
Global manufacturing integration compromises the globalization of products. Today, after having been developed in one place, the products are manufactured around the world. These new circumstances require fast and precise information sharing and data transferring. Keeping in mind broadband is not a reality the world over, the transfer can take several hours; hence the file size is a major concern.
With the available variety of 3D CAD environments, all parts of the same product are not necessarily designed using the same application. Additionally, different plants might have different versions that could also not match with the ones used by third parties. When the data needs to be consolidated at the manufacturing stage, it is necessary a data management system in a single format.
As was mentioned at the beginning, the evolution of 3D design has brought new opportunities to the manufacturing floor. If the production staff can complement the 3D design data with the additional information necessary for manufacturing, it could increase quality and decrease time - higher profit.
The solution for all the above is a lightweight 3D data that accurately describes CAD, with capability to easily disclose production and manufacturing data.
In order to learn more about the evolution of manufacturing using 3D, please download the chapter "The Evolution of Manufacturing Using Digital Information Technology", an excerpt from the book "Improving Lean Manufacturing Through 3D Data" by Dr Hiroshi Toriya -- Lattice Technology, Inc. CEO.
That is all for now folks!
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Tags: 3D Visualization & Sharing, Lightweight & Accurate 3D Format, Interactive Assembly Instructions, Technical Illustrations, Lattice News
I am happy to announce our new Lattice Technology, Inc. blog
Hello and welcome to the Lattice Technology, Inc. blog. Here's where you'll find the latest & greatest news on everything about 3D digital manufacturing software and solutions: design review, 3D simulations, animations and inter-related BOMs and parts lists to create interactive 3D documents for process design, assembly instructions, 3D parts lists, technical illustrations and electronic training manuals. From market trends to product updates, tips & tricks to whitepapers, case studies and customers testimonials.
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Tags: 3D Visualization & Sharing, Lightweight & Accurate 3D Format, 3D Assembly Validation & Simulation, Interactive Assembly Instructions, Bill of Materials, Technical Illustrations, Manuals - 2D & Interactive 3D, Lattice News