Optimal Routing Generation
Blog Post 6.02.03 - Enhance Scheduling Process with Optimal Routing Generation
Reduce production cycle times with automated selection of optimal routings. Read More ...
Global Edge Video Blog-6.02
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Enhance Scheduling Process with Optimal Routing Generation
Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides an innovative approach to streamline scheduling process with automated routing generation. This includes the automated generation of optimal routings based on CAD Part Parameters. This is accomplished with a combination with a configuration engine that generates optimal routing steps based on cost and/or delivery time coupled with real-time material and process costs from ERP.
The generation of the optimal routing steps is based on user definable configuration rules and accurately calculated manufacturing process times driven by CAD Part Parameters. These rules could include the calculation of laser cut times versus turret press punch times to determine cost versus fabrication time with each machine tool. Key features and benefits include the following:
The generation of the optimal routing steps is based on user definable configuration rules and accurately calculated manufacturing process times driven by CAD Part Parameters. These rules could include the calculation of laser cut times versus turret press punch times to determine cost versus fabrication time with each machine tool. Key features and benefits include the following:
- Real-Time Integration with ERP to Include Latest Time & Material Costs
- Easy Setup of Machine Tool Profiles to Calculate Machine Process Times
- Improves Scheduling Process with Optimal Generation of Routings
- Provides Simplified Method to Incorporate Tribal Knowledge into Automated Workflow
Enhancing the Scheduling Process with Optimal Routing Generation
Leveraging Automation and Real-Time Data for Production Efficiency
In today’s fiercely competitive manufacturing landscape, the need to streamline production cycles and optimize resource allocation has never been greater. One significant opportunity for improvement lies in the scheduling process, specifically through the automated generation and selection of optimal routings. By harnessing advanced technologies and real-time data integration, organizations can dramatically reduce production cycle times, increase efficiency, and achieve a greater degree of agility in responding to changing customer requirements.
The Importance of Optimal Routing in Manufacturing
At its core, routing in manufacturing refers to the sequence of operations that a part or product follows through various machine tools and workstations. Traditionally, routings have been created manually by experienced planners, relying on a combination of process knowledge, historical data, and intuition. While this approach offers the advantage of incorporating tribal knowledge, it is often time-consuming, inconsistent, and may not fully capitalize on emerging opportunities for cost or time savings.Optimal routing generation brings a new paradigm to the scheduling process by automating the selection and configuration of routes that balance multiple objectives, such as minimizing cost, reducing production time, and maximizing resource utilization. By considering all relevant factors—including machine capabilities, current workloads, material availability, and up-to-date process costs—an automated system can quickly propose the most efficient path for each part through the plant.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant: A New Approach
Global Edge Engineering Assistant represents a cutting-edge solution in the world of automated routing generation. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and utilizes CAD Part Parameters to drive intelligent, dynamic decision-making. This approach marks a departure from static, hard-coded routings and instead embraces adaptability, accuracy, and speed.
Automated Routing Generation Based on CAD Part Parameters
A cornerstone of Global Edge Engineering Assistant is its ability to automatically generate routing sequences by analyzing the specific parameters of each CAD part. These parameters—such as material type, thickness, geometric complexity, and required tolerances—provide critical input for determining the optimal manufacturing steps. For instance, a flat, simple part may be best processed using a turret press, while a highly intricate part might be more efficiently produced via laser cutting.
By embedding a sophisticated configuration engine, the system can evaluate and compare different routing options based on user-definable rules. These rules can prioritize cost, delivery time, or a balanced combination of both, allowing organizations to align the system’s recommendations with strategic business goals.
Real-Time Integration with ERP Systems
One of the most transformative aspects of the solution is its integration with ERP systems, enabling real-time access to current material and process costs, machine availability, and work-in-progress data. This ensures that routing decisions are made using the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, eliminating costly errors that can arise from outdated or siloed data.For example, if the cost of a particular raw material experiences a sudden increase, or if a critical machine goes down for maintenance, the routing engine can immediately account for these changes and suggest alternative processes or materials. This level of responsiveness is crucial for maintaining production schedules and controlling costs in a volatile environment.
Easy Setup of Machine Tool Profiles
The effectiveness of the routing generation system depends largely on the accuracy and completeness of the underlying machine tool profiles. Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides an intuitive interface for setting up and maintaining profiles for each machine tool, capturing key parameters such as:
- Machine capabilities (e.g., maximum sheet size, cutting speed, punching force)
- Setup and changeover times
- Operating costs (energy consumption, wear and tear, labor requirements)
- Historical performance data
These profiles enable the routing engine to perform detailed calculations of process times and costs, facilitating direct comparisons between alternative manufacturing methods. For instance, the system can calculate the laser cutting time for a given part and compare it to the turret press punch time, providing an objective basis for selecting the best tool for the job.
Benefits of Automated Optimal Routing Generation
The transition to automated, rule-driven routing generation yields significant benefits across the entire manufacturing operation:
- Reduced Production Cycle Times: Automated selection of optimal routings eliminates bottlenecks and unnecessary process steps, resulting in faster throughput and shorter lead times.
- Higher Consistency and Quality: By standardizing routing decisions based on data and rules, the system minimizes human error and variability, leading to more predictable outcomes.
- Improved Resource Utilization: Real-time integration with ERP ensures that routings reflect the latest machine availability and material costs, optimizing the use of assets and inventory.
- Cost Savings: Intelligent routing selection balances process costs and delivery times, allowing organizations to achieve significant cost reductions without sacrificing quality or service.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Automated routing generation is easily scalable to accommodate new products, additional machine tools, or changes in production strategy.
Incorporating Tribal Knowledge into Automated Workflows
A unique feature of Global Edge Engineering Assistant is its ability to capture and embed tribal knowledge—insights, tips, and best practices accumulated by experienced staff—directly into the automation framework. This is achieved by allowing users to encode decision rules, preferred process sequences, and exception handling procedures into the system’s configuration engine. As a result, the organization retains the value of human expertise while benefiting from the consistency and speed of automation.
Key Features Summary
- Real-Time ERP Integration: Ensures all routing decisions use the latest available data on material and process costs.
- Customizable Machine Tool Profiles: Simplifies the process of updating and maintaining accurate, detailed machine information for routing calculations.
- Automated, Optimal Routing Generation: Streamlines scheduling and reduces cycle times by automatically selecting the best routing for each part.
- Rule-Based Configuration: Gives users the power to define decision criteria based on cost, time, machine preferences, or any combination thereof.
- Knowledge Preservation: Encodes tribal knowledge into the workflow, ensuring best practices are retained and systematically applied.
Conclusion
The implementation of automated optimal routing generation represents a significant leap forward in manufacturing efficiency and agility. By combining real-time data integration, sophisticated configuration engines, and the preservation of human expertise, organizations can achieve faster, more reliable scheduling and production outcomes. Global Edge Engineering Assistant stands at the forefront of this transformation, providing manufacturers with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and demanding marketplace.
As the manufacturing sector continues to evolve, those who embrace digitalization and automation in their scheduling process will not only reduce production cycle times but also position themselves for sustained success well into the future.
Optimize Scheduling And Increase Shop Floor Velocity
To see a demonstration as to how Global Edge Engineering Assistant can streamline your manufacturing workflow process, click on the link below to schedule a software demonstration.