JP2011242970A - Plm navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the whole man-hours by making deliverable quality maintain at a constant level or more without depending upon a user's skill level to a PLM software group and performing cooperation control with another peripheral software group in design and verification business using a PLM software group.SOLUTION: A PLM navigation system 1 comprises web design and verification business support means 3. The web design and verification business support means 3 displays an interface that can input and output data about a PLM software process and associated file group contents in a web browser 4, and includes and utilizes a PLM software secondary development program group 6 and another development program group 8 so as to be able to perform cooperation control with the PLM software group 5 and the another peripheral software group 7. In addition, to efficiently proceed with business, the web design and verification business support means 3 automatically shows a work instruction for the next step on the web browser 4 in accordance with operation so that a user can properly be advised.

Description

The present invention relates to a PLM navigation system using a Web browser for efficiently performing design / verification work using Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) software.

In the conventional manufacturing industry, analysis, data management and manufacturing processes centered on 3D high-end machine Computer Aided Design (CAD) software such as CATIA (registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes) and Pro / ENGINEER (registered trademark of PTC) The PLM software group, including simulations, has been used for the purpose of reducing the overall man-hours by managing the product development from the upstream to the downstream of the product development.

However, since these software products have various contents and packages, tools, and options are complexly linked, users who are not familiar with software in the organization that has introduced and operated these products should use the above purpose. On the contrary, it was often confirmed that the business could not be carried out smoothly.

As an example, looking at the scope of utilization of machine CAD software, which is one of the PLM software groups, the product design and verification process depends on the user's understanding of CAD software and operation know-how. Variations in quality occur. In addition, there were many situations where it was difficult to meet the delivery date as well as to achieve quality due to a mistake in the design process or a missed verification process, and a software error due to a misoperation.

On the other hand, PLM software Application Programming Interface (API) published by manufacturers has used private information technology vendors who have signed development license agreements to work on the secondary development of software that automates their operations. Although the development of these PLM software secondary development programs has achieved local business efficiency and reduction in man-hours, users who are not yet familiar with the software can use these secondary development functions. And how to properly use the original function and how to link with the peripheral software group cannot be properly determined.

In the present invention, first, in a design / verification work using a PLM software group, a Web browser is used as a main interface, and the work is automatically performed by a PLM software secondary development program group for calling the business from the Web browser, to the user's PLM software group. The objective is to provide means to suppress product quality variations and operational errors in the design and verification process due to the proficiency level.

Secondly, it is an object to provide an easy-to-understand working environment for users who are not familiar with the PLM software group by reducing the overall man-hours by using a Web browser as the main business entity.

Third, the work subject is a web browser, and the linkage control with peripheral software groups other than the PLM software group is smoothly performed, and the input / output information thereof is graphically and user-friendly on the web browser. The purpose is to shorten the man-hours.

Fourthly, in order to perform work efficiently, it is an object to display a figure or a sentence serving as a work process instruction on a Web browser in accordance with an operation and advise a user.

In order to solve the above problems, first, the Web navigation system of the present invention is generally used, and uses a Web browser for providing an interface to a user, a PLM software group used for business, and other peripheral software groups. In addition, PLM software secondary development program group developed independently for the present invention, and Web design / verification work support means including other development program groups, PLM software secondary development program It is characterized in that the design / verification process work performed automatically using the PLM software group is processed by using the group and reflecting it in the PLM software process being executed and the related file group.

Secondly, according to the present invention, the contents of the PLM software process being executed and the related file group used in the business by the Web design / verification work support means are converted to the contents of the PLM software secondary development program group. It is characterized by providing an environment in which the user can understand the process status of the current work using the PLM software group by displaying on the Web browser, and the work can proceed smoothly.

Thirdly, according to the present invention, the contents of the PLM software process and related files are acquired by the PLM software secondary development program group by the Web design / verification work support means, and the data is transferred to other peripheral software groups through the other development program group. It is characterized by being able to use data within sending and other peripheral software groups. On the other hand, the contents of other peripheral software processes and related file groups can be acquired by other development program groups and sent to the executing PLM software process via the PLM software secondary development program group, and can be utilized. . These may be explicitly controlled by the Web browser, and the PLM software secondary development program group and other peripheral software groups may be automatically controlled during these processes. In addition, it is assumed that these operation contents and results can be displayed on a Web browser.

Fourthly, the present invention is characterized in that an instruction of a design / verification process is displayed on a web browser as a figure or text in accordance with an operation by a web design / verification work support means, and a user is appropriately advised.

Fifthly, the present invention uses HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Extensible HyperText Language (XHTML), or Extensible Markup Format (X) as the data used in the Web design / verification work support means and displayed on the Web browser. A computer file group for displaying a Web browser for providing an interface to the user who has been selected. For the operation of the Web browser, a Web peripheral technology such as ActiveX (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) that is generally used is used.

Sixth, the PLM software secondary development program group and other development program groups used in the Web design / verification work support means according to the present invention are commonly used C language, C ++, Microsoft Visual Basic (Microsoft). (Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation), Visual Basic for Applications (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation), and Java (registered trademark of Oracle Corporation). The PLM software secondary development program group is configured by using a unique API published by each PLM software manufacturer. The other development program group is configured using a public API unique to other peripheral software.

Seventh, the present invention is characterized by comprising a product model data group used for business used by the web design / verification business support means, another computer file group, and a figure / text computer file group for web browser display. .

First, as an effect of the invention, according to the PLM navigation system of the present invention, a product that is designed, verified, and output by automatically performing a task using the PLM software group by the web design / verification task support means. The quality of the model group and data group is improved, and design / verification errors are reduced.

Secondly, according to the PLM navigation system of the present invention, the web design / verification work support means automatically works through the web browser using the web browser as the main interface, and performs the work according to the advice displayed on the web browser. Therefore, an environment is provided in which a task using the PLM software group can be performed in a constant and efficient manner without depending on the user's proficiency with the PLM software group.

Thirdly, according to the PLM navigation system of the present invention, the user manually operates the program individually by controlling the operation with the peripheral software group operated in cooperation with the PLM software group by the Web browser. Since there is no need to call, man-hours are reduced.

Fourthly, according to the PLM navigation system of the present invention, in the business using the PLM software group, the user accurately grasps the operation of the next process displayed as a diagram or text on the Web browser, and smoothly proceeds with the business. Can do.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an outline of the present invention is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the PLM software group and other peripheral software groups are linked and controlled around the Web browser.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing application of the present invention in a design / verification process of three-dimensional machine CAD software which is one of the PLM software groups as a specific example. FIG. 2 represents the vehicle wheel model design process. As shown in FIG. 2, the CAD software process that is actually running on the terminal is automatically processed in each design process from the Web browser, and further, the user operates the CAD software process while giving advice through the Web browser. Go ahead.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the PLM navigation system 1 of the present invention includes Web design / verification work support means 3 that operates on the terminal 2. The PLM navigation system 1 represents the overall concept of the present invention, and the Web design / verification work support means 3 represents the method for realizing the present invention. The Web design / verification work support means 3 which is the center of the present invention includes a Web browser 4, a PLM software group 5, a PLM software secondary development program group 6, another peripheral software group 7, and another development program group 8. It is explained that it is configured to interact with each other. The PLM software secondary development program group 6 and other development program group 8 may be an add-on format incorporated in the PLM software group 5 and other peripheral software group 7 or may be independent external programs. The configuration may be such that all of the Web design / verification work support means 3 are arranged in a single terminal or are arranged separately in another terminal via an intranet.

According to the Web design / verification work support means 3 according to the present invention, the user confirms the flow of work shown in the figure or text on the Web browser 4, and is also shown on the Web browser 4, for example, The PLM software secondary development program group 6 activated by operating the button causes the PLM software process being automatically executed and the contents of the related file group to be processed. On the contrary, the contents of the PLM software process and the related file group are displayed on the Web browser 4 by the same principle. Process design diagrams and texts displayed on the Web browser 4 are changed as needed by the Web design / verification work support means 3 so that the user can be appropriately advised.

According to the Web design / verification work support means 3 according to the present invention, the PLM software process being executed and the contents of the related file group are acquired by the PLM software secondary development program group 6 and reflected in the other peripheral software process being executed. , Output in computer file format suitable for each format. In this case, it is performed via the other development program group 8. On the other hand, when the contents of the other peripheral software process being executed and the contents of the related file group are acquired by the other development program group 8 and reflected in the executing PLM software process and output to the related computer file group, the PLM software secondary development program group 6 Do through.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the Web design / verification work support means 3 according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle wheel model design process using a three-dimensional machine CAD that plays a central role in the PLM software group 5. It is a flowchart. An example of a specific flow of the present invention will be described using this.

In FIG. 4, before starting the processing, the web browser 4 for operating the 3D machine CAD software, which is one of the PLM software groups 5 used for design, and the web design / verification work support means 3 is started on the terminal 2. A CAD file including a design source element group used for design is opened in the CAD software.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited on the premise that the above-mentioned preparation is performed, and objects necessary for the process such as three-dimensional machine CAD software and CAD computer file group which are one of the PLM software groups 5 are displayed on the Web. It is assumed that it is automatically activated and prepared by an operation from the browser 4.

After starting the process, the CAD computer file opened by the process on the CAD system side in step S1 is used to determine whether the design source element group for proceeding the design process is prepared in the machine CAD software which is one of the PLM software groups 5. If it is not automatically prepared, the group of elements not arranged in step S3 is displayed on the Web browser 4 through step S2. These automatic processes are processed by pressing a button displayed on the Web browser 4, for example, by a CAD system PLM software secondary development program group 6 prepared in advance. Move to the next step with all necessary elements.

In step S4, a necessary design source element group is selected from the machine CAD file, and a wheel rim shape is created. Selection of the original element group and creation of the wheel disk shape are automatically executed by the CAD system PLM software secondary development program group 6 and executed.

In step S5, it is determined whether chamfering or a fillet is attached to the CAD model. If it is determined to be attached, it is performed in step S6. Here, the chamfering and fillet are performed automatically by a CAD system PLM software secondary development program group 6 prepared in advance.

In step S7, a wheel disc shape is created. This is performed by the method described in step S4 rim shape creation process.

In step S8, a bolt hole shape is created. This is performed in the manner described in step S4 rim shape creation process.

In step S9, a spoke shape is created. This is performed in the manner described in step S4 rim shape creation process.

In step S10, a work history of a series of vehicle wheel model creation work is output and stored as a program file in a format used in Microsoft Office Excel (a product name of Microsoft Corporation) which is an example of the other peripheral software group 7. This process is executed by, for example, pressing a button displayed on the Web browser 4 by using another development program group 8 in which a process for operating the Microsoft Office Excel software is program-coded.

This completes the creation of the vehicle wheel model. As the business proceeds, the figure and document displayed on the Web browser 4 are appropriately changed by the user's operation, and are displayed to indicate what the user should do next. A screen example of the Web browser 4 displayed by the Web design / verification work support means 3 according to the present invention is shown in FIG.

If automatic processing is difficult in the steps in the above example, the user manually operates the CAD software in accordance with the advice displayed on the Web browser 4 and proceeds with the work.

In the above description, the operation of the three-dimensional machine CAD software has been described as an example. However, the same applies to the operation of the PLM software group 5 other than the manufacturing process verification, the processing verification, the computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis, and the like.

1 is an overall explanatory diagram of a PLM navigation system according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing at the time of applying this invention to three-dimensional machine CAD software. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart at the time of applying to the vehicle wheel design process which concerns on embodiment of this invention and this invention is performed by three-dimensional machine CAD software. It is an image figure of a web browser screen at the time of applying to the vehicle wheel design process which concerns on embodiment of this invention and this invention is performed by three-dimensional machine CAD software.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 PLM navigation system 2 Terminal 3 Web design and verification business support means 4 Web browser 5 PLM software group 6 PLM software secondary development program group 7 Other peripheral software group 8 Other development program group

Claims (4)

Web browser as an input / output interface, PLM software used for business, and other peripherals commonly used in design / verification process work using Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) software used in the manufacturing industry PLM software secondary development program group that develops independently using software group, and PLM software secondary development program group that receives electronic data input through web browser by means of web design / verification work support means equipped with other development program group The PLM navigation system is characterized in that it is automatically reflected in the contents of the PLM software process being executed by and the related computer file group. The Web design / verification work support means acquires the contents of a PLM software process and related computer file group by a PLM software secondary development program group, displays the contents on a Web browser, and allows the user to recognize the contents. The PLM navigation system according to claim 1. The Web design / verification work support means smoothly performs linkage control with other software groups around the PLM software group in the design / verification process work performed using the PLM software group by another development program group. The PLM navigation system according to claim 1. The web design / verification work support means automatically displays a sentence / drawing indicating a design / verification process work instruction on a web browser in accordance with a user's work and advises the work process. The PLM navigation system according to 1.

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