Job / Work Order Management
Blog Post 10.01.01 - Speed Up Shop Floor Preparation with Automated Job Build
Utilizing Automated Job Build functionality can significantly reduce labor intensive tasks of preparing information for the shop floor. Read More ...
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Speed Up Shop Floor Preparation with Automated Job Build
Global Edge Engineering Assistant simplifies preparing information for the shop floor. This starts with the automated generation of a complete Manufacturing Bill of Materials. Built into Global Edge Engineering Assistant is a powerful "Configuration Engine" that automatically processes an Engineering Bill of Materials contained within your 3D CAD system to produce the complete Manufacturing Bill of Materials with routing steps, hardware, and tooling.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant also provides functionality that automatically generates a Job Order from the Manufacturing Bill of Materials. This Job Order can automatically be sent to your MES / Scheduling software to automate and simplify the scheduling process. Key features and benefits include:
- Automated Generation of Optimal Routings Based on CAD Part Parameters
- Automated Generation of Manufacturing Bill of Materials
- Automates Job Order Generation and Simplifies Production Scheduling
- Provides Shop Floor with Accurate and Timely Information
Speed Up Shop Floor Preparation with Automated Job Build
Harnessing the Power of Automation for Manufacturing Efficiency
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, the need for speed and precision on the shop floor is greater than ever. Companies are under constant pressure to deliver quality products quickly, efficiently, and at minimal cost. One area that has historically been a bottleneck is the preparation of shop floor information—manually translating engineering designs into actionable, production-ready instructions and materials lists. This process is not only labor-intensive, but also susceptible to errors and delays that can ripple through the production cycle, affecting costs, deadlines, and, ultimately, customer satisfaction.
Today, advances in automation are transforming this critical stage of production. The emergence of sophisticated engineering tools such as Global Edge Engineering Assistant with Automated Job Build functionality is revolutionizing how manufacturers approach shop floor preparation. By leveraging the integration between engineering data, CAD systems, and enterprise resource planning, businesses can dramatically reduce manual labor, streamline processes, and ensure accurate, timely information reaches the shop floor.
The Challenge: Manual Shop Floor Preparation
Manufacturing companies often operate in environments where complexity is the norm. Products may consist of thousands of parts, each with its own set of dependencies, assembly instructions, and routing requirements. Traditionally, preparing for production requires engineers to manually extract relevant data from design files, create Bills of Materials (BOMs), define routing steps, specify hardware and tooling, and prepare job orders for scheduling in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).This manual approach is fraught with challenges:
- Time-Consuming Tasks: Engineers spend hours, or even days, collating and organizing information to create manufacturing-ready documentation.
- Human Error: Manual data entry and interpretation increase the risk of mistakes, omissions, and inconsistencies.
- Delayed Production: Bottlenecks in preparation can delay the start of manufacturing, impacting lead times and delivery schedules.
- Poor Communication: Inaccurate or incomplete information can lead to confusion on the shop floor, resulting in costly rework or production stoppages.
The Solution: Automated Job Build with Global Edge Engineering Assistant
Recognizing these challenges, Global Edge Engineering Assistant introduces Automated Job Build functionality, a powerful suite of tools designed to automate and simplify the process of preparing shop floor information. This technology represents a paradigm shift, moving away from manual intervention toward a data-driven, automated workflow that integrates seamlessly with existing engineering and production systems.
Automated Generation of Manufacturing Bill of Materials
At the core of Global Edge Engineering Assistant is its ability to automatically generate a Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOM). Unlike traditional BOMs, which list only the components used in a product, an MBOM captures all the details required for actual manufacturing—including routing steps, hardware, and tooling.
The process begins by ingesting the Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM) from your 3D CAD system. The Assistant’s built-in "Configuration Engine" analyzes the EBOM, interprets design intent, and automatically assembles a complete MBOM tailored for production. This eliminates the tedious task of manually translating engineering data into manufacturing instructions
The process begins by ingesting the Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM) from your 3D CAD system. The Assistant’s built-in "Configuration Engine" analyzes the EBOM, interprets design intent, and automatically assembles a complete MBOM tailored for production. This eliminates the tedious task of manually translating engineering data into manufacturing instructions
- Efficiency: Automated MBOM generation drastically reduces the time needed to prepare for production.
- Accuracy: By pulling data directly from the CAD system, the risk of human error is minimized, ensuring the shop floor receives only verified, up-to-date information.
- Comprehensive Detail: The MBOM includes not only parts and materials, but also step-by-step routing, required hardware, and tooling information.
Automated Job Order Creation and Scheduling Integration
Once the MBOM is created, Global Edge Engineering Assistant takes the next step by automatically generating a Job Order. This Job Order contains all necessary details to guide production—quantities, routing, resources, and timing. Rather than relying on manual entry, the Assistant transmits the Job Order directly to your MES or scheduling software.
This automated pipeline has profound effects on production scheduling:
- Seamless Integration: Automated Job Orders can be sent instantly to MES, reducing administrative burden and minimizing lag between engineering and production.
- Optimal Scheduling: Production schedules can be generated based on real-time data, improving resource utilization and throughput.
- Responsiveness: The system allows for rapid updates and adjustments, accommodating changes in design or demand with minimal disruption.
Key Features and Benefits
Global Edge Engineering Assistant stands out for its array of features designed specifically to address the pain points of shop floor preparation:
- Automated Generation of Optimal Routings: The Configuration Engine analyzes CAD part parameters to create optimal routing sequences for assembly, minimizing bottlenecks and maximizing efficiency.
- Automated MBOM Generation: Fast, accurate, and detailed MBOMs are produced without manual intervention, saving time and reducing errors.
- Job Order Generation and Scheduling Automation: Job Orders are created and sent to scheduling software with a click, streamlining the workflow from engineering to production.
- Accurate, Timely Shop Floor Information: The shop floor receives information that is always up-to-date, complete, and precise, supporting higher quality and productivity.
Transforming the Shop Floor: Practical Impacts
The benefits of Automated Job Build extend beyond efficiency. Manufacturers adopting this technology experience a range of tangible improvements:
- Reduced Labor Costs: Automation frees engineers and planners from manual tasks, allowing them to focus on innovation and problem-solving.
- Accelerated Time-to-Market: Faster preparation means products move from design to production more quickly, supporting aggressive delivery schedules.
- Enhanced Quality: Precise, consistent information leads to fewer mistakes, less rework, and higher-quality finished goods.
- Scalability: Automated systems can handle increased complexity and volume effortlessly, supporting growth and expansion.
- Improved Collaboration: Integrated workflows foster better communication across departments, from engineering to production to scheduling.
Implementation Considerations
Transitioning to an automated shop floor preparation process requires careful planning. Manufacturers should consider:
- Systems Integration: Ensure that engineering, CAD, and MES systems can communicate effectively and support automated data flows.
- Staff Training: Educate engineers and shop floor personnel on new workflows and tools to maximize the benefits of automation.
- Process Alignment: Review and align internal processes to support data-driven, automated preparation and production.
Conclusion
Automated Job Build functionality, as embodied in Global Edge Engineering Assistant, represents a significant leap forward in shop floor preparation. By automating the generation of MBOMs, routings, job orders, and scheduling integration, manufacturers can accelerate production, reduce costs, and improve quality. The shop floor becomes a realm of precision, speed, and adaptability—empowered by the seamless flow of accurate, timely information.
As manufacturers continue to seek competitive advantages in an ever-evolving industry, embracing automation in shop floor preparation will be key to unlocking new levels of performance and success. The future is now—automate, accelerate, and thrive.
Automate and Simplify Job Order Scheduling Process
To see a demonstration as to how Global Edge Engineering Assistant can simplify your shop floor scheduling process, click on the link below to schedule a software demonstration.