Managing Automation - January 2008 - (Page 42) [ INDUSTRIES ] Transformation Integration TechWatch Industries the time spent by engineers to overcome these for the automotive industr y at Siemens PLM problems reduces their ability to innovate.” Software. As Miller points out, PLM vendors are mount“Many of the mechatronics software changes ing major efforts to address the quality problems are not seen as affecting other parts,” Garg says. created by mechatronics. At PTC, for instance, “For example, when a designer makes a software addressing the process control issues that Miller change to a seat motor’s electrical and software outlines is at the top of the company’s “to do” list. components, it may have an effect on the airbag as“Our customers are asking us to provide them sociated with that seat. This dependency is somewith a solution that can pull information from a thing that may not automatically be known, but it is variety of mechatronics components,” says Marsomething that the PLM system can manage.” tin Walters, director for automotive and industrial As automakers’ use of mechatronics accelerates market strategy at PTC. “Additionally, we can be over the next three to five years, there is little of assistance with traceability. Traceability will aldoubt that the trend will present unprecedented low the designer to drill down to the individual quality challenges. But the industry is not alone in component level. This will provide a better understanding of the interface between “Our customers are asking us to provide each component and the overall vehicle. them with a solution that can pull inforBy making that connection clear, designers will be able to test the software and fix the mation from a variety of mechatronics links between different components.” components.” — Martin Walters, PTC Tools such as PTC’s Product Development System already provide functionality, such its fight. Aerospace and defense manufacturers as process, data, and change management, that are also struggling to control the mechatronics can help automakers verify and validate designs built into their systems. And this should provide that include embedded mechatronics, Walters some comfort to automotive manufacturers, acsays. The Product Development System also alcording to CIMdata’s Miller. ready integrates with many of the tools used by “The good news for automakers is that this electronic and mechanical CAD systems. problem isn’t just an automotive industry problem. In addition, PTC has begun to incorporate feaMost of the major industrial sectors are feeling the tures that specifically help to expose data from same quality pressures created by mechatronelectronic design tools for use in mechanical deics,” Miller says. “Automakers, vendors, and the signs, Walters says. In 2005, for example, PTC suppliers of PLM tools are being pressed from integrated into its platform the capability for enall directions which means the solutions being gineer collaboration on electrical printed circuit developed will be more robust.” s board design data. Another capability within Windchill, PTC’s managingautomation.com content and process management solution, is the management of software source code within RELATED ARTICLES: a complete product definition. PLM and the American Automaker (Fuel-Injected Change) “Back in 2005, we integrated Windchill with www.managingautomation.com/PLMauto IBM Rational ClearCase. As a result of these efEnterprise PLM: Will More Integration Offer forts, process efficiency and overall quality can a Cure? be improved because we have a single solution www.managingautomation.com/PLM8 to manage the data developed by MCAD, ECAD, Siemens Startles Industry with UGS and software developers,” Walters says. maonline CUSTOMERS PUSH FOR SOLUTIONS Siemens is also ratcheting up its efforts to provide a PLM product that addresses the automotive industry’s mechatronics troubles. Like PTC, Siemens is focusing on providing automakers with the ability to visually navigate among data elements found in the automaker’s complex web of electromechanical components and software. The inability to make this association is the crux of mechatronics-related quality problems, according to Rahul Garg, director of mechatronics Acquisition www.managingautomation.com/dailynews7 Charting the Course of PLM www.managingautomation.com/PLMhistory If It Ain’t Broke, Fix It? www.managingautomation.com/warranty COMPANIES MENTIONED: PTC www.managingautomation.com/PTC Siemens www.managingautomation.com/Siemens ma January 42 2008 http://managingautomation.com http://www.managingautomation.com/PLMauto http://www.managingautomation.com/PLM8 http://www.managingautomation.com/dailynews7 http://www.managingautomation.com/PLMhistory http://www.managingautomation.com/warranty http://www.managingautomation.com/PTC http://www.managingautomation.com/Siemens
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