At the heart of modern product management and manufacturing are digital twins<\/A>, virtual replicas of planned or existing products that are part of an integrated digital thread that connects functions and applications\u2014from costing to production.<\/P><\/p>\n This end-to-end integrated system offers:<\/P> Such a system can share data with every software application, machine, robot and other equipment, as well as with people. When teams work together with the same data, process and resources, and share their collective know-how, machine shops more easily solve problems, improve shop performance<\/A> and prepare to capitalize on new manufacturing technologies.<\/P><\/p>\n Reducing process errors is among the first and most obvious problem that an integrated product platform solves.<\/P><\/p>\n Because the digital thread<\/A> captures and stores all data related to all stages of a product\u2019s development and production, the design and analysis information is always available. This eliminates process variability and errors caused by inefficient data hand-offs and inaccessible best-practice information.<\/P><\/p>\n As well, by eliminating data flow gaps between job functions and shop floor equipment, the digital thread increases accuracy and efficiency. Process owners, for example, can immediately access data in the digital thread through an integrated application to quickly confirm machine set-up.<\/P><\/p>\n Finally, with a digital thread, machine shops are able to quickly respond when their client requests a design change. With all the data integrated into a unified system, digital machine shops work with one set of data, so the change automatically propagates throughout the process.<\/P><\/p>\n Consider Freeform Technology\u2019s approach<\/A>. The UK-based company supplies composite-parts manufacturing services and parts for the Formula 1 automotive industry. Leveraging a unified platform for design, production planning and machining of parts, the company was able to standardize processes and shorten cycle times. Today they can go from CAD drawing to finished part in less than 24 hours.<\/P><\/p>\n This \u201clocked down\u201d model is enabling Freeform to expand into the general automotive industry, as well as the medical and leisure industries. The shop is now like a well-tuned engine with consistent, reliable performance so that variation is easier to absorb, whether it\u2019s from a change order from an F1 customer or a customer from an entirely new industry.<\/P><\/p>\n But solving problems is just the start. By adopting an integrated product-lifecycle platform, machine shop owners are able to focus on improving shop performance<\/A> and growing the business. Owners that have digitalized their business report shifting their attention toward the following:<\/P><\/p>\n \u2022 Growth and innovation<\/STRONG>: With traditional disconnected data systems, machine shops are forced to deploy their most valuable assets\u2014their manufacturing experts\u2014to produce and deliver product through seemingly never-ending fixing, fire-fighting and expediting. With advanced knowledge available to everyone at all times in the digital thread, experts are freed up to focus on finding new customers and new markets.<\/P><\/p>\n \u2022 Upskilling inexperienced workers<\/STRONG>: As new best practices are captured and made available to everyone, not just manufacturing experts, less experienced workers take on more advanced work.<\/P><\/p>\n \u2022 Driving profit<\/STRONG>: With fewer errors, better accuracy, increased efficiency and more effective resource utilization, machine shops deliver more complex and higher quality products more quickly at less cost. These savings can both improve competitiveness and boost margins.<\/P><\/p>\n \u2022 Preparing for the future<\/STRONG>: Industry 4.0 systems are inherently ready to work with new manufacturing technologies, because they digitally and seamlessly connect with additive manufacturing<\/A>, advanced robotics and automation<\/A>, as well as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.<\/P><\/p>\n
\n
\u2022 Real-time communication and data sharing
\u2022 High-performance computing that enables fast analysis of data and easy-to-understand derivative guidance
\u2022 A secure, unified data store where accumulated knowledge is preserved and made accessible<\/P>
\nSolving shop problems<\/H3>
\nImproving shop performance<\/H3>
\n
![\"Digital](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2019\/09\/Digital-Machine-Shop_Post-3-1.png\" "\\"Digital")
<\/span><\/P><\/p>\n