Modern manufacturing equipment is driven by Computer Numerical Control (CNC) interpreting complex code generated by Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. The CAM software develops tool paths for cutting operations directly from the 3D model geometry. Previous to 3D CAM systems, a manufacturer could spend considerable time performing calculations to convert paper blueprints or even 2D CAD files into workable code. Working directly from the 3D model eliminates the risks introduced by human error. The use of CAM software produces code more quickly and efficiently. The performance increase represents a competitive advantage to technologically advanced manufacturers translating to faster turnaround and lower costs to customers.

Cost to Quality

The introduction of risk translates to an increase in the probability of nonconformance. The fulfillment of parts without access to complete documentation, including 3D model, bears a significant increase in cost as the organization must design manufacturing and verification processes to mitigate risks. Ignoring the need for complete documentation inflates the cost of quality eroding competitive advantage for the provider and reducing value to the customer (through higher prices and possibly instances of nonconformance). Without 3D CAD data, production verification processes cannot easily take advantage of technologies that reduce error and inspection times, such as 3D Scanning or Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) metrology.

Data Integrity

Data integrity is an inherent concern of digital manufacturing practices. Problems with inaccurate or incomplete documentation, such as engineering drawings not matching the associated 3D models, can hamper or endanger fulfillment. Another concern is to protect documentation/data against unauthorized, unwanted change. The quality management system should specifically address the need for control through formal process documentation ensuring the integrity of product information. Some systems have taken the approach as to deny access or eliminate the model files in a misguided attempt at control. The inability to access or utilize the 3D models associated with other engineering files creates a logical conflict in data integrity. Without the 3D model, the manufacturer must essentially recreate the necessary documentation. The additional step inherently requires manufacturers to deviate from the provided documentation and (as previously mentioned) introduces unnecessary risk.

Summary

Engineers ignoring the benefits and inevitability of digital manufacturing build unnecessary risk into fulfillment processes by ensuring deviation from customer documentation. Risk directly translates to cost in the three traditional constraint measures of budget (price), schedule (delivery and availability), and scope (increase probability of nonconformance).

For more information on working with 3D CAD for digital manufacturing, contact Kform, Inc.