Digital manufacturing gets collaborative

Product lifecycle management software firm UGS reckons its latest systems can ensure leaner design, faster process planning, smarter Numerical Control (NC) programming and better shop floor communication. Its software, dubbed Part Manufacturing, brings together all the disciplines involved in making parts, from design to planning, manufacturing and industrial engineers, NC programmers, tool and fixture designers and shop floor personnel – helping to eliminate wasted time, cost and resources. SaysTed McFadden, vice president of Manufacturing Planning Solutions, UGS: “By giving everyone access to the right data when they need it, the software helps companies manage change better, reach the right decisions earlier and deliver innovation faster and more cost-effectively.” UGS’ system operates in a structured data environment that offers everyone controlled access to part design data, process templates and resource libraries. It’s powered by UGS’ Teamcenter PLM technology and enables customised collaboration, workflow control and flexible reporting and communication. “Our environment gives users the data defining products, processes, resources and facilities in the specific context that they need to do their jobs,” adds McFadden. “It transforms basic data storage into a manufacturing information management system that provides a meaningful competitive advantage.”