Mechatronic parts list

As an entrepreneur, how can you prepare for the realization of Industry 4.0? Since the discussion in the mid-1980s, the term CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing, definition according to the Committee for Economic Manufacturing AWF, 1985) has been defined to reflect similar requirements that are also placed on value creation processes in companies today.

Information should be integrated into the entire value chain between the customer and business partners within production, logistics and development/design.

Globally distributed development and design mean that the need for standardized data structures and the provision of this information in real time is becoming increasingly important.

In the meantime, formats such as STEP, PDF, TIF, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and ISO etc. have become international standards.

In order to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0, further international standards and a fast and high-performance way of distributing and disseminating data in the network are required.

Data basis and data structures

Until these requirements have been implemented and realized, we should examine the solutions already available today to see whether they can be introduced in our own company. The aim must be to create standardized data structures and databases.

If successfully implemented, this leads to the elimination of interfaces within the software islands that usually exist today and essentially contributes to the minimization of data entry errors. Higher data quality is achieved and is therefore immediately available to all those involved in the process.

Manufacturing companies have to overcome further and additional challenges. This means that departmental walls that have existed for many years in the field of mechanical and electronic design need to be torn down.

Mechatronic parts list

In the production area of industrial plants, the information links between mechanics and electronics are becoming increasingly important. Mechatronic pilot projects are already being set up in working groups from both units in order to work out what a mechatronic parts list should look like.

Standardized data formats

M-CAD and E-CAD systems should be based jointly on this central parts list in order to provide standardized and reliable data formats and information to the central ERP system and the logistics systems via PLM systems (Product Lifecycle Management).

This transparency and clarity of parts lists and data structures creates a basis that corresponds to the desired value creation process.

This qualitative database enables an international exchange between business partners, suppliers and heterogeneous development teams. Savings of up to 30 percent are expected based on the results and experience of the pilot projects to date.

Mechatronics describes the methodical interaction as well as approaches and ways of thinking in the fields of mechanics, electrical engineering and information technology.