New process planning modules expand manufacturing control

For users in the aerospace sector particularly, complex manufacturing planning software developer HMS Software has released two new modules for its computer-aided process planning system HMS-CAPP, said to “extend dramatically” the functionality of its software, according to Geoff Knight, director of European operations. The first is a new bill of materials module (HMS-BOM), which enables manipulation and management of multi-level product structures within HMS-CAPP. The second, HMS-Manufacturing Change Management (HMS-MCM), provides for strict control over change processes – everything from point of introduction, out to validation and documentation. HMS-BOM will be useful for manufacturing engineers who need to determine how a product is to be brought together during ‘make’ or taken apart and reassembled in modification and maintenance. They get a tool that lets them define, control and navigate the BoM (manufacturing bill of materials) and a route to more accurate MRP (materials requirement planning), with better visibility and accessibility to the structure and processes. It means they can define a parts-based multi-level BoM that is independent of, but linked to, process plan documents that describe how each item is to be manufactured, assembled, installed or serviced. The software supports multiple BoM views, including drawings-based engineering or part-based engineering (EBoM), either of which can be used as a baseline to create a part-based BOM view. Meanwhile, HMS-MCM to deal with the fact that frequent change board meetings, legacy systems and manual change and status tracking are all inadequate for today’s high speed information environments. Manufacturers need systems that not only track change, but provide a platform that enable them to access data and graphics, manage change, evaluate progress and the rest with real-time status and visibility. HMS-MCM is a documentation tool that also routes, audits and monitors change all the way from initiation to final manufacture. It serves as a manufacturing change control system, identifying and displaying drawings, parts, specification and other associated documents. It can also integrate with manufacturers’ existing PDM (product data management) and other engineering control systems to control the implementation process.