Automated BOM Generation
Blog Post 4.01.03 - Automatically Generate Bill of Materials & Routings
Eliminate the manual generation of bill of materials and generate optimal routings from your 3D Sheet Metal CAD models. Read More ...
Global Edge Video Blog-4.01
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Automatically Generate Bill of Materials & Routings
Global Edge Engineering Assistant includes functionality that automates the generation of a manufacturing bill of materials from your engineering / CAD bill of materials. This is made possible from an innovative "Configuration Engine" that automatically generates optimal routing steps based of the CAD Part Parameters of each component in an assembly.
This also includes time and material cost rollups based on the latest labor and material costs from ERP. Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides the following features and benefits:
This also includes time and material cost rollups based on the latest labor and material costs from ERP. Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides the following features and benefits:
- Automated BOM Generation with Complete Optimal Routings
- Eliminates Labor-Intensive Engineering Workflow Tasks
- Provides Manufacturing Enterprise with Accurate Bill of Materials
Revolutionizing Manufacturing with Automated Bill of Materials and Optimal Routing Generation
Unlocking Efficiency, Accuracy, and Cost Savings with Global Edge Engineering Assistant
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, staying ahead requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to streamline complex processes that have traditionally consumed significant time and resources. Among these, the generation of Bill of Materials (BOM) and manufacturing routings stands out as a critical—but often labor-intensive—step in bridging the gap between engineering design and efficient production. Enter Global Edge Engineering Assistant, an innovative solution designed to automate these workflows, maximize accuracy, and empower enterprises to reach new levels of productivity.
Automated Bill of Materials Generation
Traditionally, creating a manufacturing BOM from engineering or CAD data has been a meticulous process requiring the manual extraction of part information, verification of configurations, and painstaking entry into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Mistakes made during this process can ripple through the manufacturing lifecycle, resulting in costly errors, delays, and resource wastage.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant redefines this landscape by harnessing the power of a sophisticated Configuration Engine. This system scans 3D Sheet Metal CAD models, intelligently interprets part parameters, and automatically generates a manufacturing-ready BOM. Such a BOM is not merely a list of parts—it is a comprehensive, structured representation that includes all necessary details for production, assembly, and procurement.
- Speed and Efficiency: The automation of BOM generation means what once took hours or days can now be accomplished in minutes. Engineering teams are liberated from repetitive, manual data entry and can focus on value-added activities such as design optimization and innovation.
- Accuracy and Consistency: By drawing directly from the source CAD models, the risk of transcription errors or misinterpretation of part specifications is virtually eliminated. This ensures that every department, from procurement to production, operates from a single, reliable source of truth.
- Configurability and Scalability: The Configuration Engine is adaptable to various product architectures, allowing manufacturers to handle everything from simple assemblies to highly complex, configurable products with ease.
Optimal Routing Generation from CAD Models
In manufacturing, "routing" refers to the sequence of operations required to transform raw materials into finished products. Creating optimal routings is as critical as the BOM itself, as suboptimal processes can lead to inefficiencies, higher costs, and reduced competitiveness.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant’s Configuration Engine goes beyond mere BOM generation. By analyzing the geometric and material properties of each CAD part, the system automatically determines the optimal sequence of manufacturing steps. Each routing is customized for the particular requirements of the assembly, reflecting best-practice manufacturing strategies.
- Data-Driven Routing: The Configuration Engine leverages the CAD Part Parameters—attributes such as thickness, material type, bend radii, cutouts, and more—to select the most efficient path through fabrication, finishing, and assembly operations.
- Reduction in Setup and Processing Time: Automated routing minimizes unnecessary steps, setups, and machine changes, ensuring that each component follows a streamlined production path.
- Standardization of Workflows: By codifying and reusing optimal routing logic, manufacturers can standardize processes across product lines, plants, and teams, enhancing quality and repeatability.
Comprehensive Time and Material Cost Rollups
To remain competitive, manufacturers need real-time visibility into their total costs. Manual rollups of labor, materials, and overhead are not only time-consuming but are often prone to lag and error.
With Global Edge Engineering Assistant, time and material costs are automatically aggregated as part of the BOM and routing generation process. The system draws on the most up-to-date labor rates and material prices from the ERP, ensuring that cost projections are accurate and actionable.
Real-Time Costing: As designs evolve, cost estimates are instantly refreshed, enabling teams to make informed trade-offs early in the design cycle.
- Profitability Analysis: Accurate cost rollups allow for granular margin analysis on every product, order, or configuration.
- Quotation and Procurement Support: Sales and purchasing departments can use the output for rapid, data-driven quoting and negotiation with suppliers.
Key Features and Benefits
The combined impact of automated BOM and optimal routings is transformative for manufacturing enterprises aiming to modernize and compete at the highest level. Below is a summary of the core features and benefits provided by Global Edge Engineering Assistant:
- Automated BOM Generation with Complete Optimal Routings: From a single 3D Sheet Metal CAD model, users can generate both a manufacturing-ready BOM and the corresponding optimal routing sequences—without the need for manual intervention.
- Elimination of Labor-Intensive Engineering Workflow Tasks: The automation of data extraction, BOM compilation, and routing definition allows engineering teams to redirect their efforts toward higher-level innovation and problem-solving.
- Accurate, Enterprise-Ready Documentation: The output is tailored for direct integration with manufacturing and ERP systems, ensuring a seamless handoff from engineering to production.
- Configurability and Customization: The system can be tuned to the specific needs, machines, and processes of each manufacturer, supporting custom rules and best practices.
- Continuous Improvement and Learning: As more products and configurations are processed, the Configuration Engine can be updated and refined, capturing institutional knowledge and evolving with the enterprise.
How It Works: From CAD Model to Manufacturing Excellence
The journey begins with the 3D CAD model of a sheet metal assembly. Engineers upload the model into Global Edge Engineering Assistant. The Configuration Engine parses the hierarchical structure, reading part parameters, assembly constraints, and material specifications.
Next, the system generates the manufacturing BOM, mapping each component and subassembly, assigning part numbers, quantities, material requirements, and special instructions. Simultaneously, the engine constructs the optimal routing for each part or assembly—identifying necessary operations such as cutting, bending, welding, painting, and final inspection.
Finally, the Assistant aggregates time and material costs, referencing the latest ERP data for labor rates, raw material prices, and machine utilization. The result is a complete, actionable package ready for production planning, scheduling, and execution.
Transforming the Manufacturing Enterprise
By eliminating manual steps, reducing errors, and empowering teams with timely, accurate information, Global Edge Engineering Assistant accelerates new product introduction, shortens lead times, and enhances profitability. Manufacturers can confidently pursue complex, highly-configurable products, knowing their engineering-to-production workflows are robust, repeatable, and scalable.
The future of manufacturing belongs to those who can innovate—not just in what they make, but in how they make it. With the automation of BOM and routing generation, Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides a strategic advantage, propelling organizations toward operational excellence and a future defined by agility, intelligence, and success.
Automated Bill of Materials / Routing Generation
To see a demonstration as to how Global Edge Engineering Assistant can increase your engineering capacity, click on the link below to schedule a software demonstration.