Article Details
- 01-Automated Quoting / CRM
- 02-CAD Part Parameters
- 03-Automated Production Work Queue
- 04-Sheet Metal Batch Unfolding
- 05-Standard Bend Processes
- 06-Manufacturability Testing
- 07-Automated Bend Program Generation
- 08-Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse
- 09-ERP / MES Interface
- 10-CAD to ERP Integration
- 11-CAD / ERP / Shop Floor Integration
- 12-Configuration Engine
- 13-Automated Routing Generation
- 14-Laser Cut Formulas
- 15-Automated Product Configuration
- 16-Automated BOM Generation
- 17-Automated CAD Model Generation
- 18-Spreadsheet Integration
- 19-Automated Job Build
- 20-Scheduling / Production Dashboard
Automated Production Work Queue
The Global Edge Engineering Assistant starts with an “Automated Production Work Queue” that can automatically process labor-intensive engineering workflow tasks that includes the preparation of information for the shop floor without human intervention. This optionally includes the download of daily orders from ERP that guides the processing of configuring and resizing of sheet metal parts. This also includes the generation of DXF Flat Files for nesting software and the automated incorporation of Extended Data to drive “Automated Bend Program Generation”. Additionally, the Automated Production Work Queue can perform a “Manufacturability Test” on each sheet metal part to determine if the part can be successfully fabricated on the shop floor before leaving engineering.
The Global Edge Engineering Assistant also provides automated functionality that can produce a complete job order from your CAD model assemblies that includes a complete manufacturing bill of materials with optimal routing steps that can be integrated with your Scheduling / MES software.
The Global Edge Engineering Assistant works with your existing CAD, CAM, ERP, and MES software to automate and eliminate labor-intensive workflow tasks associated with the Engineering and Manufacturing workflow process. This can significantly reduce labor costs while increasing engineering capacity and increase shop floor velocity.
The Global Edge Engineering Assistant also provides automated functionality that can produce a complete job order from your CAD model assemblies that includes a complete manufacturing bill of materials with optimal routing steps that can be integrated with your Scheduling / MES software.
The Global Edge Engineering Assistant works with your existing CAD, CAM, ERP, and MES software to automate and eliminate labor-intensive workflow tasks associated with the Engineering and Manufacturing workflow process. This can significantly reduce labor costs while increasing engineering capacity and increase shop floor velocity.
Automated CAD Part Importation / Analysis
A key foundational capability built into the Global Edge Engineering Assistant is the ability to analyze and store complete CAD part parameters of your sheet metal CAD parts. These CAD part parameters serve as a foundation for manufacturability testing and the automated generation of routings, sales quotes and CAM bending programs. This includes 48 CAD part parameters that ranges from part height, width, material, thickness, bend radius and bend angles. This also includes parameters such as flange lengths and widths, pem hole distance from bend lines.
Automated Batch Unfolding
Global Edge includes sheet metal batch unfolding capabilities to prepare daily production orders for the shop floor. This functionality provides the capability to automatically generate DXF flat files from your SolidWorks sheet metal CAD models. This includes the processing of single or large batches of sheet metal parts including the automated processing of your daily ERP / MRP production orders.
The Sheet Metal Batch Unfolding capabilities built-in to the Global Edge system also includes the automated matching of Bend Processes with each sheet metal part. This in conjunction with the automated importation and analysis of CAD part parameters provides the foundation for automated routing and CAM bend program generation.
The Sheet Metal Batch Unfolding capabilities built-in to the Global Edge system also includes the automated matching of Bend Processes with each sheet metal part. This in conjunction with the automated importation and analysis of CAD part parameters provides the foundation for automated routing and CAM bend program generation.
Manufacturability Testing
During the generation of the routings, Global Edge Engineering Assistant automatically determines if the sheet metal part can be successfully fabricated with each of the routing steps. For example, with the “Press Brake Bending Operation”, the software automatically determines whether the sheet metal part can be successfully bent comparing the CAD Part Parameters with the matching Bend Process. This includes the automatic execution of a “Manufacturability Test” that allows the engineer to view the test results: The Global Edge system automatically performs manufacturability tests on your sheet metal CAD parts by utilizing analysis and importation capabilities that compare CAD part parameters with matching Standard Bend Processes to determine if a sheet metal part can be successfully on the shop floor before leaving engineering.
The above and below example includes 22 tests that were performed on the selected part. The highlighted test below (Minimum Down Pem Gap) detected a warning that “Feature Within Warning Gap”. The matching Bend Process for the sheet metal part requires the Minimum Down Pem Gap is at least 1.500000 inches from the nearest bend line. The detected gap with the selected sheet metal part is 1.800000 inches, which indicates the gap is allowable. However, a Warning Message is detected because ideally with the matching Bend Process indicates that the Minimum Down Pem Gap should ideally be at least 2.000000 inches.
When a manufacturability test fails one or more tests, the engineer can make the appropriate change(s) to the necessary 3D CAD Sheet Metal Model and repeat the Manufacturability Test until the errors are corrected. Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides an innovative software tool that helps eliminate shop floor rework by getting things right the first time before a part reaches the shop floor.
The above and below example includes 22 tests that were performed on the selected part. The highlighted test below (Minimum Down Pem Gap) detected a warning that “Feature Within Warning Gap”. The matching Bend Process for the sheet metal part requires the Minimum Down Pem Gap is at least 1.500000 inches from the nearest bend line. The detected gap with the selected sheet metal part is 1.800000 inches, which indicates the gap is allowable. However, a Warning Message is detected because ideally with the matching Bend Process indicates that the Minimum Down Pem Gap should ideally be at least 2.000000 inches.
When a manufacturability test fails one or more tests, the engineer can make the appropriate change(s) to the necessary 3D CAD Sheet Metal Model and repeat the Manufacturability Test until the errors are corrected. Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides an innovative software tool that helps eliminate shop floor rework by getting things right the first time before a part reaches the shop floor.
Automated Bend Program Generation
Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides the automated generation of CAM bend programs for Press Brakes, Panel Benders, and Robotic Folders. The Global Edge system includes the capability to automatically generate CAM bending programs by translating sheet metal CAD part parameters into necessary extended data that is embedded to DXF flat files. These Extended Data DXF Flat Files include the necessary information that eliminates the need to manually program your bending machines.
Automated Routing Generation
Global Edge Engineering Assistant includes a powerful configuration engine that generates optimal routings based on CAD Part Parameters and the incorporation of tribal knowledge of how your company manufacturers / fabricates simple-to-complex parts. Utilizing the Global Edge capability of analyzing and importing CAD part parameters and utilizing the Global Edge Configuration Engine, Global Edge automatically generates optimal routings based on the CAD part parameters. This includes routing and machine tool selection based on cost and/or delivery time.
The CAD part parameters serve as foundation to establish tribal knowledge logic and procedures that helps automate and speed up the quoting, engineering and manufacturing workflow process while reducing the dependency of relying on key personnel when they are not available. Many products, when they are designed and manufactured, can take various routing paths based on part characteristics, production levels and customer specifications. The primary purpose of capturing and storing CAD part parameters helps establish a foundation of information that can drive quoting, design engineering, manufacturability testing, and routing generation. With regards to routing generation, the Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides a simplified and innovative approach selecting optimal routing steps by combining CAD part parameters with tribal knowledge logic.
The CAD part parameters serve as foundation to establish tribal knowledge logic and procedures that helps automate and speed up the quoting, engineering and manufacturing workflow process while reducing the dependency of relying on key personnel when they are not available. Many products, when they are designed and manufactured, can take various routing paths based on part characteristics, production levels and customer specifications. The primary purpose of capturing and storing CAD part parameters helps establish a foundation of information that can drive quoting, design engineering, manufacturability testing, and routing generation. With regards to routing generation, the Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides a simplified and innovative approach selecting optimal routing steps by combining CAD part parameters with tribal knowledge logic.
Product Configuration / CAD Model Generation
Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides automated product configuration capabilities to configure simple-to-complex products. The Global Edge system provides “Plug & Play” configuration capabilities by utilizing the Global Edge Configuration Engine as either a standalone product configurator, or a supplement to your existing quoting system including direct integration with your quoting spreadsheets. This includes the ability to drive automated CAD model generation.
Automated Sales Quote Generation
Global Edge includes "Automated Sales Quote Generation" functionality that works as a full functioned automated quoting / CRM system, or can supplement your existing quoting system, quoting spreadsheets, and sales quote functionality built into your ERP system.
This is accomplished with Global Edge functionality that automatically imports and analyzes CAD part parameters which then serves as a foundation for automated quoting. This process eliminates the manual measurement and analysis of CAD parts. This is coupled with processing the CAD part parameters with the Global Edge Configuration Engine to automatically generate optimal routings (based on cost and/or delivery time) and cost rollups. These routing steps and cost rollups can then be integrated into your existing quoting system or produce a customer ready sales quote.
This is accomplished with Global Edge functionality that automatically imports and analyzes CAD part parameters which then serves as a foundation for automated quoting. This process eliminates the manual measurement and analysis of CAD parts. This is coupled with processing the CAD part parameters with the Global Edge Configuration Engine to automatically generate optimal routings (based on cost and/or delivery time) and cost rollups. These routing steps and cost rollups can then be integrated into your existing quoting system or produce a customer ready sales quote.
Automated Job Build / Manufacturing BOM
Global Edge Engineering Assistant includes functionality that provides the automated generation of Job Orders based on bill of materials, CAD part parameters, and automated routing generation. The Global Edge system provides functionality that automatically generates job orders and work instructions utilizing the automated bill of materials and routing generation capabilities built into the system. This process eliminates the manual process of merging bill of materials and routings to generate job orders and work instructions.
Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse
Global Edge Engineering Assistant is built on an innovative centralized "Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse" that eliminates duplication of information and effort. The foundation of the Global Edge system is an innovative Engineering and Manufacturing Data Warehouse that provides a centralized single version of truth data warehouse that provides accurate and timely information throughout the manufacturing enterprise. This includes the ability to integrate and connect various software and hardware technologies that includes ERP, CRM, CAD, MES, and direct connections to shop floor machine tools.
Automated Enterprise Data Exchange
The Global Edge Engineering Assistant includes an optional ERP / MES Interface that provides a simplified method to exchange information between your various software and hardware technologies. This includes dynamic two-way integration between ERP, CAD, CAM, and MES. Also included is the integration with spreadsheets such as Quoting, Bill of Materials, Orders, Jobs, Purchasing and Pricing. This helps provide the sharing of accurate and timely information throughout the manufacturing enterprise.
Dashboard / Shop Floor Monitoring
Global Edge Engineering Assistant includes a Scheduling / Production Dashboard to effectively monitor daily scheduling and production. The Global Edge system built on the functionality provided by the Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse and real-time connection with ERP, MES and the shop floor makes it possible for a Production Dashboard to help monitor and schedule shop floor activities.