CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
30 April 2010
CIMdata News
CIMdata in the News: Milford Firm Finds Solution to Engineers’ Annoyance; Online catalog aims to help companies avoid waste
Companies are increasingly focusing on reducing the number of distinct parts used in order to consolidate suppliers and achieve volume discounts, according to a April report[3D Part Catalog Management: "A PLM Strategy to Reduce Direct Material Costs"] by CIMdata, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based consultant. But companies often have inefficient electronic part catalogs developed over decades, according to the firm, making it easier for the designer to order up a new custom part – and effectively add to the mess.
A solution that encourages use and reuse of standard parts can lead to “shorter design times, less reinvention of parts and lower parts costs,” according to CIMdata.
Part Solutions has developed online 3D catalogs for manufacturers that allow engineers to search for parts by shape or other variables.
Advantages of this technology:
• Well-organized internal database of approved or previously used parts helps companies avoid going back to the drawing board each time pieces are needed
• Catalogs help standardize parts so engineers don’t waste time and money designing specialized pieces similar to ones their colleagues have already used
Part Solutions says its catalog technology is catching on. Details are featured in this Business Courier of Cincinnati article- by James Ritchie
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