Engineering Optimization
For designers, direct integration of multi-CAD systems means changing usual work processes. “They had to learn, for instance, that material is something different from the associated models and drawings,” recalls Becker. Cideon oversaw the training process, matched design guidelines to direct integration requirements, and supported the users in optimizing their work processes. For example, a system-supported principle of dual control was implemented to meet AERZEN's quality requirements for review and approval. “The advantage is that less rework is required and data can be used more efficiently for downstream processes,” emphasizes Stürmer.
Using CAD guidelines and a company-specific design methodology, Cideon made the designs stable and at the same time improved data quality with a dramatic reduction on throughput times.
Easier Access
SAP PLM manages CAD data and all product and process-relevant documents. For the first time AERZEN is able to version these documents, which was not possible with the old system. In conjunction with engineering change management, which Cideon mapped in SAP, electronic document management ensures development history of products and assemblies is easy to understand. In the past, engineers had to search electronic archives for specific TIFF drawings. Now, employees in purchasing, distribution, or operations scheduling can access current data and documents directly in their work environment and even visualize them in 3D.
Time Savings in Sharing Information
In addition, Cideon accelerated the availability of documents by introducing Output Management. Whether in the offer process, in order management, or in production or assembly, the SAP output solution allows users to combine, stamp and print approved documents on paper, or distribute them electronically at the push of a button. For external use they are automatically transferred to the electronic archive, so that what a customer received can be traced at any time. “If the manual handling of a print order is estimated at 20 minutes, this amounts to huge time savings at 500 to 600 orders per day,” says Becker.
Automatic Archiving
Models, drawings and other documents are archived in the Infostore archive after approval, so other sites can access them. Sites develop their own units based on the blowers and compressors from the facility in Aerzen. Cideon integrated Infostore into SAP PLM and structured the data during export so it can be imported automatically. In the past, five employees in cross discipline design departments were busy manually archiving at least half a day per week—time they now use on higher value work. In addition, manual archiving led to the occasional misfiling of documentation. “Before, we did not document our products as fully and consistently,” says Pia Mühl, key user in blower design. “Now we can provide much more incisive information, which is also important with respect to compliance.”
Global Rollout
he electronic archive is slated for replacement in the foreseeable future since it no longer represents state-of-the-art technology, and goes against the idea of a single source of truth. SAP PLM replaces this legacy technology at all sites as part of the Vision 2022 rollout; standardization of the group-wide IT landscape. Thanks to AERZEN’s preparation and rollout roadmap, they are well equipped for the global use of PLM. The roles and rights concept for configuring user access takes into consideration site needs to access data selectively.
In addition, experts at Cideon provided the option to duplicate drawing sheets automatically in other languages based on user preference with all relevant data displayed (e. g., geometrics, dimensions, texts, etc.).
Faster with a Source of Information
SAP PLM was released on schedule at the facility in Aerzen and since then has been used in production by more than 70 employees across multiple departments. The users greatly appreciate the benefits of a single system. Axel Stürmer illustrates this by means of an example, “It used to take weeks to create a new material master record since all the design engineers had to go to a single employee who created the material master records in the system. Now, it takes three days on average, and we are actively optimizing it even further.”
A key decisive factor in AERZEN’s partner choice was to receive everything from one source. Therefore, in addition to SAP PLM, Cideon takes over the comprehensive support of Autodesk products, including maintenance, upgrades, training classes, methodology consulting, and in-house coaching of the design engineers.
