PDM systems are the use of software to manage product data and process-related information in a single central system. This information includes CAD data, models, part information, manufacturing instructions, requirements, notes, and documents. The PDM system provides solutions for the secure management of data, processes and configuration.
PDM systems: the history of technology
PDM systems emerged from traditional design activities when product drawings and diagrams were created on paper using CAD tools to create parts lists. The first PDM systems, examples of which were paper media, used PDM and BOM data in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to coordinate all the company's transactional operations (managing customer orders, purchasing, cost accounting, logistics).
Goals for implementing PDM systems
Product data management is the use of software or other tools to track and control data related to a specific product. Tracked data typically includes product specifications, specifications for manufacturing and development, and the types of materials that will be needed to produce the goods.
Product Data Management Objectives:
- common understanding of the task by all parties to the process;
- minimization of errors in the implementation of the project;
- compliance with high quality control standards.
Product data management allows the company to track various costs associated with the creation and launch, and is mainly used by engineers.
Secure data management
PDM systems capture and manage product information, ensuring that information is delivered to users throughout the product life cycle in the right context. Security and administrative functionality protect intellectual property rights through role management, project-based protection, and related access rights.
PDM systems allow companies to optimize the following business processes:
- fast search for the correct data;
- increased productivity and reduced cycle time;
- reduction of errors and development costs;
- Improving value creation
- compliance with business and regulatory requirements;
- optimization of operational resources;
- facilitating collaboration between global teams;
- providing the visibility necessary for better business decision making.
Configuration management
The PDM system provides the visibility necessary to manage and present the complete material (specification). This facilitates the alignment and synchronization of all data sources and life cycle stages.
The best PDM systems are available for several applications and several teams in the organization and support business-specific needs. Choosing the right PDM software can provide a company in any industry with a solid foundation that can easily be expanded to a complete Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) platform.
Features and Benefits
PDM focuses on managing and tracking the creation, modification, and archiving of all product-related information. Information stored and managed (on one or more file servers) includes engineering data, such as computer-aided design (CAD) systems, drawings, and related documents.
The central database also manages metadata, such as file owner and component release status, and performs the following functions:
- checking product data for multiple users;
- engineering change management, release control and troubleshooting of components on all versions;
- creating and manipulating a bill of materials (BOM) for assembly;
- Help with product variant management configuration.
PDM allows you to automatically receive reports on product costs and allows companies that produce complex products to distribute product data throughout the entire PLM launch process. This greatly improves the efficiency of the startup process.
Data management
PDM is used as a central data warehouse for the history of processes and products and facilitates the integration and exchange of data between all business users, including project managers, engineers, sellers, buyers and quality assurance teams.
Product data management is focused on collecting and maintaining information about products and services due to its development and useful life. Typical information managed in a PDM includes:
- part number;
- description of the part;
- supplier / manufacturer;
- Supplier number and description
- unit;
- cost price;
- CAD schematic or drawing;
- passports of materials.
PDM systems help manage and track all changes in product-related data, spend less time organizing and tracking, increase productivity by reusing design data, expand collaboration and use visual management.
Comparison of PDM systems: specification and features
PDM systems: an overview of popular and popular solutions:
NX is a commercial CAD CAM CAE PDM software package developed by Siemens PLM Software. NX is widely used in mechanical engineering, especially in the automotive and aerospace sectors. NX is commonly referred to as a 3D PLM software application. The product supports all stages of product development from conceptualization (CAID), design (CAD) to analysis (CAE) and production (CAM). NX integrates the product life cycle stages using a parallel engineering workflow, design and data management tools that apply to all functional areas.
CATIA (Computerized 3D Interactive Application) is a multi-platform commercial CAD / CAM / CAE software package developed by French company Dassault Systemes and sold worldwide by IBM. It is written in the C ++ programming language. It supports several stages of product development (CAX): from conceptualization, design (CAD) to production (CAM) and analysis (CAE). It is widely used in mechanical engineering, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries.
3D modeling software
Solid Edge is software for modeling a parametric 3D model. Powered by Microsoft Windows and provides robust simulation, assembly, and development for mechanical engineers. Thanks to third-party applications, it has links to many other product life cycle management (PLM) technologies.
Rhinoceros (Rhino) is a standalone commercial NURBS 3D modeling software developed by Robert McNeel & Associates. Software is commonly used for industrial design, architecture, marine design, jewelry design, automotive design, CAD / CAM, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, product design, and the multimedia and graphic design industry.
Creo Elements / Pro (formerly Pro / ENGINEER) is the standard in 3D product design featuring state-of-the-art productivity tools that promote cutting - edge design techniques while ensuring compliance with industry and company standards. Integrated, parametric, 3D CAD / CAM / CAE solutions accelerate the development process while maximizing innovation and quality.
PDM / PLM systems: what is it?
Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) systems are widely used in modern product development organizations. The PDM system is one of the components of the PLM system.
Common functions like PDM / PLM systems:
- Document management: CAD models, drawings, and product metadata are stored in either central or distributed storage. As soon as product data and other information is transferred to the repository, it can be available to authorized users in a predefined format.
- Process and workflow management: PDM / PLM systems provide the required permissions for the user and effectively communicate the actions among all interested parties.
- Product structure management: users can easily see alternative parts and their business impacts through these systems.
- Part management: PDM and PLM systems emphasize the need for reuse and standardization of components.
System differences:
- PLM has a wider level of integration in different departments, uses many CAD tools and works with a wide range of products. PDM only works with CAD-related product data.
- PLM is developed on a web platform, while the PDM system does not use the web.
- The cost of a PLM system is very high compared to a PDM system. The implementation of PLM is justified only for large multi-position organizations.
Product Data Management System (PDM) is a subset of the Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) system. PDM systems mainly process data on CAD-related products. Design departments are input providers for the PDM system. The PLM system requires participation at the organization level and the integration of other organization information systems.