Applications engineers set to benefit from new PTC software

Targeted specifically at applications engineers who want to start working over the web, design software vendor, PTC, has just launched its new collaborative web-based product development software powered by Windchill technology, ‘DynamicDesignLink’. Typically, for companies that manufacture products with many design variations, applications engineers only need to get involved when the product needs to be adapted to meet a customer’s specific application or project. The design may already be 80% complete, but needs a few engineering ‘tweaks’ to make it fit for purpose. So for suppliers in this situation, PTC’s new software, coupled with the power of the Internet, can open up some real opportunities. “Mass customisation is a goal of more and more manufacturers,” says Bruce Jenkins, vp of industry analyst firm, Daratech. “With DynamicDesignLink, PTC has pioneered a new class of customer-facing product development solutions for design-to-order manufacturers.” Speaking at the launch of DynamicDesignLink in London this week, James Heppelmann, executive vp and chief technical officer at PTC, said: “Suppliers who want to get the edge over their competitors by offering to work with customers over the web, can do so using our new software. There’s a product configurator built-in and the user can even create 3D digital representation of designs ‘on the fly’. “For just $1,500 per seat, applications engineers can cut a lot of tedious time [Heppelmann reckons from six weeks to three hours in some cases!] and cost out of the design process … And the software lets you become much more intimate with your customers.” DynamicDesignLink automatically generates models, drawings, product structure data (bills of material) and supporting documentation. It even allows users to create their own configuration rules and logic, plus it lets you store, update and compare different product alternatives.