Automated Shop Floor Data Preparation
Blog Post 1.04.03 - Automated Steps to Significantly Increase Engineering Capacity
Automate the labor intensive tasks associated with the manufacturing engineering process. Read More ...
Global Edge Video Blog-1.04
Automated Steps to Significantly Increase Engineering Capacity
Global Edge Engineering Assistant is an innovative engineering tool that is designed to automate many of the labor-intensive tasks associated with the quoting, engineering and manufacturing workflow process. This starts with the ability to automatically analyze 2D and 3D CAD sheet metal parts and store the CAD Part Parameters. These CAD Part Parameters provide a foundation for Automated Sales Quote Generation, Automated Routing Generation, and the automated preparation of information for the shop floor.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant is "Your Engineering Virtual Assistant" that assists your engineering team from design to manufacturing with capabilities that include the following:
- Automated CAD Model Analysis
- Manufacturability Testing to Eliminate Shop Floor Errors
- Stores Valuable Tribal Knowledge Accessible throughout Manufacturing Enterprise
- Automated Routing / Work Instruction Generation
- Automated Batch Processing of Parts and Assemblies
- Automated Bend Program Generation
Global Edge Engineering Assistant is your engineering virtual assistant that helps increase engineering capacity with four practical steps that include:
Step 1 - Automated CAD Model Analysis
This step starts with the automated and complete analysis of your 3D CA model sheet metal parts. This process includes the extraction and importation of 48 CAD part parameters for the purpose of driving automated quoting, automated routings and cost rollups. The CAD part parameters are also translated into extended data that is added to your DXF flat files to facilitate automated bend program generation. Click to view CAD Part Parameter Report for example of CAD part parameters captured.
Step 2 - Automated Sheet Metal Batch Unfolding
This step provides the ability to perform Manufacturability Tests on your sheet metal CAD parts to determine if they can be successfully fabricated on the shop floor before leaving engineering. This process includes matching and comparing CAD part parameters with user defined bend processes to determine whether the CAD part parameters fall within the minimum and maximum limits of your bend processes. This includes interference checking of pem, embossment, and louver locations from bend lines.
Step 3 - Automated Shop Floor Data Preparation
This step includes the automated unfolding of your sheet metal CAD parts to generate DXF flat files. Addtionally, this step can automatically adjust sheet metal part bend radiuses and K-Factors to match your bend processes and daily production requirements. This also includes the automatic embedding of extended data into your DXF flat files to facilitate automated bend programming of your press brakes, panel benders, and robotic folders.
Step 4 - Manufacturability Testing
This step includes the automated generation and preparation of shop floor data that optionally starts with the automated generation of routings and cost rollups. This further includes the generation of translated CAD part parameters into specific information to drive CAM bending program software. This information is embedded into DXF flat files as extended data which includes tooling, material, material thickness, standard bend process, etc. The Global Edge software provides Laser Nesting software with manufacturing ready DXF flats adjusted for the proper bending machine tool and tooling.
Revolutionizing Manufacturing Engineering: The Global Edge Engineering Assistant
Automating Labor-Intensive Engineering Workflows for a New Era of Efficiency
In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and fierce global competition, manufacturing organizations are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality products faster, more accurately, and at lower costs. One of the most significant challenges faced by engineering and operations teams is the overwhelming burden of manual, repetitive tasks that slow down the workflow from design to the shop floor. The traditional manufacturing engineering process—marked by manual CAD analysis, quoting, routing, and work instruction generation—not only consumes valuable time but is also prone to human error, inconsistency, and inefficiency.
To address these challenges and usher in a new era of digital transformation, Global Edge Engineering Assistant has emerged as a groundbreaking solution. Designed as an innovative and comprehensive engineering tool, this virtual assistant automates many of the labor-intensive tasks associated with quoting, engineering, and manufacturing workflow processes. By leveraging advanced automation, data management, and artificial intelligence, Global Edge Engineering Assistant empowers engineering teams to focus on innovation, problem-solving, and value creation, rather than getting bogged down in repetitive manual work.
The Need for Automation in Manufacturing Engineering
Modern manufacturing is more complex than ever before. With the growing variety of products, customization demands, and the need for shorter lead times, the engineering teams are often stretched thin. They are required to analyze intricate CAD models, prepare accurate quotes rapidly, generate detailed routings and work instructions, and ensure that all manufacturing knowledge is effectively communicated across the enterprise. Each of these steps involves a sequence of labor-intensive tasks that, if done manually, introduce delays, errors, and inefficiencies.
Automating these processes not only reduces the risk of errors but also accelerates the workflow, enhances consistency, and allows for real-time data-driven decision making. Global Edge Engineering Assistant stands at the forefront of this automation revolution, providing scalable solutions that respond to the evolving needs of the manufacturing sector.
Key Features and Capabilities of Global Edge Engineering Assistant
The power of Global Edge Engineering Assistant lies in its comprehensive suite of automation capabilities, which span the entire engineering workflow process:
1. Automated CAD Model Analysis
At the core of engineering and manufacturing workflows is the analysis of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) models. Global Edge Engineering Assistant can automatically analyze both 2D and 3D CAD sheet metal parts. Upon receiving a model, the assistant extracts, interprets, and stores all critical CAD Part Parameters. This automated analysis eliminates the need for manual intervention, ensuring that measurements, geometries, material properties, and other specifications are accurately captured and cataloged.
This capability not only saves significant engineering hours but also establishes a strong data backbone for downstream automation. The extracted parameters serve as the foundation for automated quoting, routing, and shop floor preparation, enabling seamless integration and data consistency throughout the enterprise.
2. Manufacturability Testing to Eliminate Shop Floor Errors
One of the most common sources of delays and additional costs in manufacturing arises from errors discovered on the shop floor—often due to overlooked design issues or manufacturability constraints. Global Edge Engineering Assistant incorporates advanced manufacturability testing algorithms that assess each CAD model for potential manufacturing challenges. Whether it’s minimum bend radius violations, hole placements, material limitations, or assembly conflicts, the assistant automatically flags issues and provides actionable feedback.
By catching errors before they reach the shop floor, this feature helps eliminate rework, scrap, and costly production interruptions. Engineering teams can troubleshoot and resolve issues early in the process, ensuring that every design is not only innovative but also feasible to manufacture.
3. Storing and Sharing Valuable Tribal Knowledge
Manufacturing enterprises accumulate vast amounts of “tribal knowledge”—the insights, best practices, and expertise developed by experienced engineers and operators over years of production. Too often, this information is siloed within individuals or departments, making it difficult to access, share, or leverage consistently.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant acts as a central repository for this valuable knowledge. It stores best practices, preferred methods, lessons learned, and specific fabrication instructions, making them accessible to everyone across the manufacturing enterprise. Whether a new engineer is onboarding or a veteran is tackling a complex new product, the assistant ensures that essential knowledge is never lost and is always at hand.
4. Automated Routing and Work Instruction Generation
Routing generation—the process of defining the step-by-step sequence by which a part is fabricated—has traditionally required deep expertise and painstaking manual input. Global Edge Engineering Assistant automates this process by leveraging stored CAD Part Parameters, manufacturability analyses, and tribal knowledge. It generates detailed, accurate routing instructions and work instructions tailored to each part or assembly, ensuring that every operation is clear, concise, and optimized for the available equipment and workforce.
This automation not only accelerates the release of jobs to the shop floor but also reduces the risk of miscommunication and error. Changes to routing or instructions can be implemented and communicated instantly, further enhancing flexibility and responsiveness.
5. Automated Batch Processing of Parts and Assemblies
In high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments, engineering teams are often required to process large batches of parts and assemblies, each with unique requirements. Global Edge Engineering Assistant excels at handling batch processing, automatically analyzing and preparing multiple parts at once. This batch automation dramatically reduces the time required to prepare quotes, routings, and work instructions, allowing engineering teams to scale their output without increasing headcount.
6. Automated Bend Program Generation
Bending is a critical operation in sheet metal fabrication, and creating accurate bend programs for CNC press brakes is both essential and time-consuming. Global Edge Engineering Assistant automates bend program generation by analyzing each part’s geometry, material properties, and manufacturability constraints. It creates optimized bend sequences and translates them into machine-ready programs, eliminating manual programming and reducing setup times.
With this automation, shops can respond to new orders faster, minimize trial-and-error on the shop floor, and ensure consistent quality in every production run.
The Impact: From Efficiency Gains to Strategic Advantages
The automation delivered by Global Edge Engineering Assistant extends far beyond time and cost savings. By eliminating tedious manual tasks, organizations can:
- Increase Engineering Capacity: Freeing engineers from repetitive manual work enables them to focus on complex problem-solving, continuous improvement, and innovation. This results in higher-value contributions and accelerates the pace of new product introductions.
- Improve Accuracy and Consistency: Automation ensures that every analysis, quote, routing, and instruction is generated with precision and consistency, reducing errors and rework.
- Accelerate Turnaround Times: Automated workflows dramatically shorten the time from customer inquiry to shop floor release, improving responsiveness and customer satisfaction.
- Capture and Leverage Institutional Knowledge: By storing tribal knowledge in a centralized assistant, organizations ensure that expertise is preserved, shared, and continually expanded.
- Enhance Shop Floor Performance: With accurate, up-to-date instructions and error-proofed designs, shop floor teams can execute more efficiently, with fewer disruptions and higher quality output.
Your Engineering Virtual Assistant: A Strategic Investment
Global Edge Engineering Assistant is more than just software—it is a strategic investment in the future of manufacturing. As a virtual engineering partner, it brings together the power of automation, artificial intelligence, and knowledge management. The result is a more agile, efficient, and competitive manufacturing organization that is ready to thrive in the digital age.
By adopting Global Edge Engineering Assistant, companies can meet the demands of today’s marketplace and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. Whether your goal is to increase capacity, improve quality, or accelerate time to market, this innovative tool is poised to become an indispensable member of your engineering team.
In summary, manufacturing organizations that embrace automation with tools like Global Edge Engineering Assistant will be best positioned to achieve sustainable growth, deliver exceptional value to customers, and lead their industries into the future. Now is the time to unlock your team’s full potential—let automation handle the labor, so your engineers can make history.