Chapter 2: Frameworks and Reference Models

Title: A reference framework for integrating NC planning into Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Author(s): Günther Schuh, Michael Lenders, Ju-Young Uam

Address: Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL, RWTH Aachen University Chair of Production Engineering Steinbachstrasse 19, D-52074 Aachen, Germany | Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL, RWTH Aachen University Chair of Production Engineering Steinbachstrasse 19, D-52074 Aachen, Germany | Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL, RWTH Aachen University Chair of Production Engineering Steinbachstrasse 19, D-52074 Aachen, Germany

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2008 pp. 90 - 100

Abstract/Summary: Today, there is a lack of support for NC planning by Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions. Although NC planning is an essential process within the value chains of major manufacturing industries, there are still predominantly company specific or isolated NC planning IT solutions, quite contrary to the PLM philosophy. NC planning relies on product and product related information which experiences frequent changes. Because NC planning is often seen as an independent organisation, the NC planner has to access different IT solutions to gather all information needed. The lack of information continuity and consistency also leads to the fact that the NC planner can never be sure of the actuality of information. As the need for more flexible production and shorter production lead times rises, the NC planning process has to become more integrated, increasingly error-prove and more efficient. This article describes an approach for integrating NC planning into PLM. A PLM NC reference framework will be presented to discuss the requirements for integrating the NC planning into future PLM solutions as well as to display an approach for PLM integration possibilities today.

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