PLM-MES integration: A case-study in automotive manufacturing

Abstract

Nowadays, the development of high-quality, highly-innovative products is mandatory to satisfy the market requests. To support this process, the deployment of IT tools, such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), is necessary. However, the efficacy of such instruments can be increased if they are able to exchange information with each other. Such integration provides the designers with a feedback from the shop-floor: this allows to improve the quality of the product and the performance of the process, as well as to quickly react to solve possible issues. To emphasize the benefits of PLM-MES integration, a case-study in the field of automotive components manufacturing is provided: the MES is equipped with a real-time algorithm to control possible drifts of a monitoring system for a laser welding process. In case of process instabilities, the design department is immediately informed to evaluate possible solutions, and the critical event is tracked into the PLM.