Page 21 - 3DMP Summer 2022

MES for AM 3D
Standardized Processes
Scalability
Greater Visibility
MES Benefits
Reduced Inventory
Automated Processes
Reduced Manufacturing Costs
Value Creation
Connectivity
Challenges
Standardization
Traceability
between stakeholders.
• Traceability. A lack of traceability
greatly hampers the ability to scale oper- ations. Traceability proves vital for iden- tifying key bottlenecks and optimizing operations, such as the importance of accurately pinpoint the root cause of a part failure before the problem becomes critical. Operating across multiple sites makes lack of visibility an even bigger issue, as obtaining a clear overview of each site’s operations becomes critical to maximizing efficiency and productivity. Additive MES can track and document data throughout the production workflow, allowing stakeholders to access key infor- mation at any stage of the process. It also enables teams to track job status in real time, which allows for optimized produc- tion planning and greater productivity.
• Connectivity. Many compa- nies exhibit a disconnected AM process due to use of separate, disparate systems for managing workflow. Connectivity, often referred to as the “digital thread,” establishes a workflow that con- sists of integrated hardware and software systems that can com- municate with each other for maximum efficiency. Additive MES plays a critical role here, by enabling integration with existing business-critical software such as ERP and PLM systems. Increas- ingly, MES vendors also seek to integrate directly with AM machines and other physical sys- tems, to enable more in-depth insights by manufacturers into the overall performance of their operations, and improve decision making.
Delivers Key Benefits
In addressing the issues iden- tified above, MES for AM delivers six key benefits:
1. Greater visibility. Additive MES software provides a central- ized platform where stakeholders can gain complete visibility into the organization’s AM operations.
This “single version of truth” facilitates collaboration between stakeholders, regardless of function, to optimize oper- ations and reduce costs. Eliminating data silos better equips stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions. And, MES for AM tracks and enables access to historical production data and statistics. Through KPI tracking, reporting and ana- lytics, companies can take deeper dives into the key factors driving productivity.
2. Automated processes. Manual processes, time-consuming and prone to human error, pose huge challenges. As manufacturers gear up for AM production, spreadsheets, paper and back-and-forth emails no longer prove adequate to deal with increased production volumes and demands. Additive MES software replaces these fragmented systems to connect the
shop floor to the rest of the organization, and ensure a digital thread across the AM workflow. Key stages of the workflow often performed manually, such as order man- agement and production scheduling, can be automated to save time and reduce the chance of human error.
3. Reduced manufacturing costs. Addi- tive MES reduces manufacturing costs by streamlining and optimizing operations. It can be used to monitor job status auto- matically, freeing labor costs and enabling operators to prioritize other tasks. It also can track material consumption, thus reducing waste.
4. Reduced inventory costs. AM has made the prospect of digital inventories a reality. The ability to produce parts from digital files brings new opportunities for distributed manufacturing—exciting for the production of spare parts, where typ- ically lower-demand parts can be pro- duced on demand, more economically. But, to be effective, manufacturers require detailed and accurate inventory data made available to the right user at the right time. An additive MES platform with digital-inventory capabilities helps man- ufacturers manage spare-part production more effectively.
5. Scalability. As an organization’s AM strategy and operations evolve, scalable additive MES solutions prove flexible enough to adapt and respond to the needs of the business. Therefore, the right MES for AM provides a scalable platform upon which an organization can expand its AM operations.
6. Standardized processes. Additive MES software forms the foundation for establishing a standardized AM process. A robust additive MES platform can be rolled out easily across the organization, establishing a set of procedures and best- practice processes to ensure operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
Information for this article came cour- tesy of Autonomous Manufacturing (AMFG), Irvine, CA; www.amfg.ai. For more on MES for AM, read Additive Man- ufacturing MES Software: The Essential Guide, a whitepaper available on the AMFG website. 3DMP
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