Testing the Digital Thread in Support of Model-Based Manufacturing and Inspection.
A number of manufacturing companies have reported anecdotal evidence describing the benefits of Model-Based Enterprise (MBE). Based on this evidence, major players in industry have embraced a vision to deploy MBE. In our view, the best chance of realizing this vision is the creation of a single "digital thread." Under MBE, there exists a Model-Based Definition (MBD), created by the Engineering function, that downstream functions reuse to complete Model-Based Manufacturing and Model-Based Inspection activities. The ensemble of data that enables the combination of model-based definition, manufacturing, and inspection defines this digital thread. Such a digital thread would enable real-time design and analysis, collaborative process-flow development, automated artifact creation, and full-process traceability in a seamless real-time collaborative development among project participants. This paper documents the strengths and weaknesses in the current, industry strategies for implementing MBE. It also identifies gaps in the transition and/or exchange of data between various manufacturing processes. Lastly, this paper presents measured results from a study of model-based processes compared to drawing-based processes and provides evidence to support the anecdotal evidence and vision made by industry.
National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Thomas
T
Hedberg
National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Joshua
J
Lubell
Capvidia NA New Ulm, Minnesota.
Lyle
L
Fischer
Mitutoyo America Corp. Aurora, Illinois.
Larry
L
Maggiano
National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Allison Barnard
AB
Feeney