Digital Manufacturing

The Customer Supplier Interoperability (CSI) program was sponsored by the Department of Defense and the US Air Force Research Laboratory, ManTech division. The program’s goal was to develop solutions for engineering inefficiencies associated with technical data exchange and to accelerate the adoption of Model-Based Definition (MBD) methodologies in defense supply chains. Through the automation of manual tasks, CAD validation, and advanced toolsets, the CSI program paves the path toward MBD for the defense industrial base.

BENEFITS

Savings of approximately $50 million per year when fully adopted by all supply chain members in a large defense acquisition program.
With major programs exceeding 20 years in duration, this could result in more than $1 billion in projected savings.

Source: International TechneGroup

Force Protection Inc. (FPI) develops defense products and vehicles for the government. Their status as a government contractor means that FPI must conform to the strict government rules surrounding the communication of sensitive data. Failure to do so would result in fines or the loss of contracts. In response to this new need for security and accountability, FPI deployed MBE CAD data exchange software throughout its engineering teams, and the software is now used for all design and engineering data transfer.

BENEFITS

Control, flexibility, security, ease of use
Now have monthly logs of all data transfer activities, a key requirement for the US government.
FPI meets all of the strict requirements for security and accountability set by the US government.

Source: International TechneGroup

Thales implemented MBE CAD data exchange software to automate the flow of product data among its internal users. The web-based system provides a convenient, reliable and secure method for translating engineering data. This will be expanded in the second stage of implementation to include data transmission between Thales and its customers and suppliers.

BENEFITS

Time savings of 80%

Source: International TechneGroup

Samsung began by implementing the MBE CAD data exchange software at its Visual Display and Printer Divisions. The MBE CAD data exchange software allowed Samsung to more easily share quality data between various systems including design, collaboration, and data management. Multiple in-house applications utilize MBE CAD data exchange software as a secure backend server, for translations and validation. Samsung’s new data exchange software is also linked to its global suppliers.

BENEFITS

Delivery of data to customers and suppliers has been reduced from days to minutes
Improved process efficiency
Significant time savings

Source: International TechneGroup

U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Model-Based Definition (MBD) Case Study: NAWCAD Lakehurst is the center of excellence for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) and naval aviation Support Equipment (SE). NAWCAD moved to a 3D MBD environment, which required the conversion of conventional 2D drawings to a 3D digital product definition. 3D PDFs containing digital product definition became the single source of data through the product development process.

BENEFITS

Realize greater than $3 million in annual savings
Reduced costs, increased quality, shorter schedule cycles
33% reduction in new item development schedules expected

Source: International TechneGroup

Evaluate the RFQ

Once the Supplier has received the RFQ it must then interpret and understand the content. In larger Suppliers, this may require distribution to various departments in order to begin the RFQ evaluation and quote development process. During the Evaluate process, questions may arise due to missing or inaccurate Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI), manufacturability challenges, etc. These questions are typically communicated to the Customer’s purchasing agent, who then will pass them along to their manufacturing or design engineer. The engineer then passes the answers back to their purchasing agent, who relays the response to the Supplier.

When performed digitally the Evaluate process is streamlined through a focus on interoperability and accuracy during the RFQ preparation process (See Prepare RFQ Package). Upon receiving a digital RFQ the Supplier can then utilize Validation software to ensure that the model and support information in the RFQ is complete and accurate. With these key issues addressed the integrity of the resultant quote is maximized and the time-consuming Q&A sessions and interpretations are minimized. The Supplier can immediately begin to utilize CAD and CAM software to determine the manufacturability of the part.

To begin preparing the quote, the Supplier may need to translate or recreate the CAD model if they are unable to view the information in the format received from the Customer in the RFQ. If this is required, the Customer should be notified that their file has been translated into a different format or program, but often this notification does not take place. The Supplier must determine what parts or components will be made in-house and what will need to be purchased. Items that will be purchased typically require the preparation of a derivative RFQ to sub-tier Suppliers.

Evaluate the RFQ

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Data exchanged in the Activity:

INPUT

Customer RFQ package

OUTPUT

Evaluated RFQ package

Tools:

Supplier Portal
Validation software
Translation Software
Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Customer-Relationship Management Software (CRM)

Digital Solutions

Manufacturability Analysis (Customer and Supplier) - Manufacturability Resolution

Manufacturability Analysis (Customer and Supplier) - Manufacturability Resolution

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Customer designs can be analyzed digitally using software to ensure that the product can be manufactured, allow for optimization, and address potential issues before Supplier quotes are requested. This can ensure that the resulting quotes do not include unnecessary costs, resulting in the lowest possible quote for a part that meets all needed requirements.
BENEFITS: Reduced lead time, Reduced cost, Decreased risk
Digital RFQ PMI Validation - Neutral File Format/Translation

Digital RFQ PMI Validation - Neutral File Format/Translation

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By digitalizing the RFQ package, errors that occur when a Supplier performs an RFQ translation are minimized. Utilizing Validation software ensures that the translated files match the original file, depending on the software the CAD file remains fully dimensioned, and manufacturability is maintained. Utilizing these capabilities results in the Supplier receiving a model, analyzing it, and responding without the need to perform an error prone and tedious recreation process. When creating models and drawings in a digital environment it is possible to synchronize specifications between the two entities. This results in the model and drawings accurately reflecting the same specifications throughout the entire part, enabling the Supplier to trust both the model and the drawings.
BENEFITS: Reduced Time, Increased Accuracy, Increased Trust
Digital Collaboration (Customer and Supplier) - Improved communication

Digital Collaboration (Customer and Supplier) - Improved communication

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Using digital communications that permit direct connections between Suppliers and Customers can eliminate many delays in the RFQ Evaluation process. Digital communications solutions can facilitate collaboration and ensure that the digital thread remains intact by capturing each response, notifying individuals quickly, and archiving the conversation for future reference.
BENEFITS: Reduced costs, Reduced lead time
Neutral-File Format/Translation (Supplier) - Interoperable PMI data

Neutral-File Format/Translation (Supplier) - Interoperable PMI data

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Providing standards-based, interoperable, models can enable the Supplier to receive product models directly from the Customer without the need for translation or modification. This enables the Supplier to decrease the lead time associated with re-constructing the model in specific formats.
BENEFITS: Reduced lead time, Reduced risk, Reduced costs
Standardized Evaluation process (Customer and Supplier) - Evaluation process

Standardized Evaluation process (Customer and Supplier) - Evaluation process

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Automation of the Evaluation process at each level in the supply chain helps ensure all buyer requirements and supplier responses are synchronized. This allows for a more dynamic design-to-production process while reducing the risk of errors from data that is not current or complete.
BENEFITS: Decreased risks, Reduced lead time
Standardized digital RFQ (Customer, Supplier) - Standardized data

Standardized digital RFQ (Customer, Supplier) - Standardized data

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Consistently structured RFQs with complete data make it easier for potential suppliers to respond. The result is decreased costs from requiring less interaction with your engineers and from issues in the production process. Accurate and complete RFQs also require less non-recurring engineering by the potential Supplier, often resulting in a reduced price
BENEFITS: Reduced lead time, Decreased risks, Reduced costs
Digital RFQ PMI Validation - Neutral File Format/Translation

Digital RFQ PMI Validation - Neutral File Format/Translation

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By digitalizing the RFQ package, errors that occur when a Supplier performs an RFQ translation are minimized. Utilizing Validation software ensures that the translated files match the original file, depending on the software the CAD file remains fully dimensioned, and manufacturability is maintained. Utilizing these capabilities results in the Supplier receiving a model, analyzing it, and responding without the need to perform an error-prone and tedious recreation process. When creating models and drawings in a digital environment it is possible to synchronize specifications between the two entities. This results in the model and drawings accurately reflecting the same specifications throughout the entire part, enabling the Supplier to trust both the model and the drawings.
BENEFITS: Reduced Time, Increased Accuracy, Increased Trust
Manufacturability Analysis (Customer and Supplier) - Manufacturability Resolution

Manufacturability Analysis (Customer and Supplier) - Manufacturability Resolution

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Customer designs can be analyzed digitally using software to ensure that the product can be manufactured, allow for optimization, and address potential issues before Supplier quotes are requested. This can ensure that the resulting quotes do not include unnecessary costs, resulting in the lowest possible quote for a part that meets all needed requirements.
BENEFITS: Reduced lead time, Reduced cost, Decreased risk

Potential Issues with this Activity:

Need to translate or recreate models - Unusable CAD files

Need to translate or recreate models - Unusable CAD files

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If the RFQ does not include product models, or it is not in a format the Supplier cannot use, the Supplier may need to create a new model or translate what was received, increasing lead time. When converting CAD files from one format to another, it is possible that the translation process can remove important data from the model. This is common when converting to the neutral STEP format since the file type does not support all the features of all native CAD environments. This can lead to a need to recreate the model which has a significant chance of introducing errors. Also, it is possible that the translation process can implement undesirable changes to the model that change significant feature requirements. This can lead to a need to recreate the model which has a significant chance of introducing errors.
COST: Increased lead time, Increased quote prices, Increased risks
RELATED SOLUTIONS: Neutral File Format/Translation files, Supplier access through a portal to the appropriate information
Incomplete RFQ information - Incomplete PMI

Incomplete RFQ information - Incomplete PMI

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Through the Evaluation process, errors and omissions may be found that may require additional investigation and a question and answer session with the Customer. To protect their intellectual property (IP), Customers will often limit the amount of technical data shared with potential Suppliers since once the technical data is sent out it is no longer under their control. The result may be incomplete information in the RFQ, requiring the Supplier to request additional information, which increases lead time. Suppliers will sometimes make assumptions about the missing data, resulting in an incorrect cost or part being quoted.
COST: Increased risk, Increased time, Increased costs
RELATED SOLUTIONS: Digital RFQ Creation, Neutral File Format/Translation, Supplier access through a portal to the appropriate information
Inaccurate PMI Data in RFQ - Inaccurate PMI

Inaccurate PMI Data in RFQ - Inaccurate PMI

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It is not uncommon for an RFQ package to contain errors in the product manufacturing data. This incorrect information can result in significant rework by both the Supplier and the Customer to correct the problems. It also can lead to a mistrust by the Supplier of future RFQs provided by that specific Customer. This cycle can result in significant delays as the Supplier must thoroughly examine each provided document in search of errors that might influence its bid/quote. A Supplier making changes based off assumptions of what the Customer would want given its historical actions can lead to mistakes and errors. While incorrect changes should be found during first article inspection, the delays associated with reworking the files can delay the quoting process substantially. When both drawings and models are provided by a Customer it can result in inconsistencies in the data of the two versions. The drawings can call for a certain specification while the model either neglects to display the specification or presents a different specification entirely. This usually results in the Supplier defaulting to the drawings and recreating the model based off the perceived trusted data source.
COST: Decrease Model Accuracy, Increased Time, Increased Costs
RELATED SOLUTIONS: Digital RFQ creation, Digital RFQ PMI Validation
Customer RFQ changes - Outdated PMI/Specifications

Customer RFQ changes - Outdated PMI/Specifications

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In fast-moving design-to-production efforts, requirements can change even before a quote is developed. The more complex the supply chain, the greater the increase in time and costs will be as the RFQ evaluation and quote preparation process is restarted with each change. An added risk is that the information will not be properly received or processed at one of the changes, resulting in errors and additional delay and cost.
COST: Increased risks, Increased lead time
RELATED SOLUTIONS: Supplier access through a portal to the appropriate information, Digital RFQ management
Inefficient Collaboration - Communication inefficiencies

Inefficient Collaboration - Communication inefficiencies

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The ability for Customer and Supplier engineers to quickly and accurately communicate can overcome issues and often result in a more cost-effective alternative solution to the initial RFQ. However, the communication process can result in substantial delays depending on the number of intermediaries involved, communications methods and individual response times. Communication through email can be misunderstood and misleading resulting in incorrect planning and costing.
COST: Increased lead time, Increased risk
RELATED SOLUTIONS: Digital RFQ management, Structured Supply Chain communication

BENEFITS

BENEFITS

BENEFITS

BENEFITS

BENEFITS

Evaluate the RFQ

Digital Solutions

Manufacturability Analysis (Customer and Supplier) - Manufacturability Resolution

Digital RFQ PMI Validation - Neutral File Format/Translation

Digital Collaboration (Customer and Supplier) - Improved communication

Neutral-File Format/Translation (Supplier) - Interoperable PMI data

Standardized Evaluation process (Customer and Supplier) - Evaluation process

Standardized digital RFQ (Customer, Supplier) - Standardized data

Digital RFQ PMI Validation - Neutral File Format/Translation

Manufacturability Analysis (Customer and Supplier) - Manufacturability Resolution

Potential Issues with this Activity:

Need to translate or recreate models - Unusable CAD files

Incomplete RFQ information - Incomplete PMI

Inaccurate PMI Data in RFQ - Inaccurate PMI

Customer RFQ changes - Outdated PMI/Specifications

Inefficient Collaboration - Communication inefficiencies

Develop & Submit Quote