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    • Tag: advanced manufacturing

    Streamlining Manufacturing: How Autodesk Fusion Operations Optimizes Process Efficiency

    Posted on by Malaika Lwakila

    Streamlining Manufacturing: How Autodesk Fusion Operations Optimizes Process Efficiency


    Discover how Autodesk Fusion Operations streamlines manufacturing processes by integrating systems and enhancing efficiency, leading to more productive and cost-effective operations.

    Introduction

    In the world of modern manufacturing, process efficiency has become an absolute priority. Companies are constantly seeking to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. This is where Autodesk Fusion Operations comes in, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) that transforms how companies manage their manufacturing processes.

    System Integration

    One of the major strengths of Autodesk Fusion Operations lies in its ability to unify various systems within a single work environment. This centralization of manufacturing-related information not only facilitates data access but also their analysis.

    Collaboration with Various Tools and Platforms

    Fusion Operations allows collaboration with various tools and platforms, including:

    QuickBooks Online: For accounting management, Fusion Operations can integrate with QuickBooks Online. This allows real-time synchronization of financial data, thus facilitating accounting and financial management.

    Webhooks and Zapier: For workflow automation, Fusion Operations can integrate with Webhooks and Zapier. This allows repetitive tasks to be automated and operational efficiency to be improved.

    ShipStation: As for shipping management, Fusion Operations can integrate with ShipStation. This allows real-time tracking of shipments and improved delivery management.

    Shopify and Wayfair: For e-commerce order management, Fusion Operations can integrate with Shopify and Wayfair. This allows online orders to be synchronized with the inventory management system, thus facilitating order management and improving the customer experience.

    Custom Integration and Adaptability

    In addition to these ready-to-use integrations, Autodesk Fusion Operations also offers the possibility to develop custom APIs. Autodesk partners, like SolidCAD, can create tailor-made collaborations.

    Real-Time Visibility

    Fusion Operations offers real-time visibility of production. Its dashboard allows managers to track performance and make informed decisions based on accurate data. This real-time visualization allows bottlenecks to be quickly identified and resources to be efficiently allocated. This proactive feature helps prevent production delays and improve overall efficiency.

    Integrated Maintenance Management

    Fusion Operations includes an integrated maintenance management function. This allows maintenance operations to be tracked and future actions to be easily planned. This can help prevent breakdowns and minimize downtime, which can have a significant impact on process efficiency.

    Resource Utilization Optimization

    Fusion Operations stands out for its ability to optimize the use of human, material, and financial resources. By automating repetitive tasks, it frees up valuable time for staff, allowing a focus on more strategic tasks. The optimization of material and financial resources results in waste reduction and more efficient use of investments. Therefore, Fusion Operations allows companies to achieve significant savings, while improving their efficiency and productivity.

    Conclusion

    In short, Autodesk Fusion Operations stands out as a powerful tool for any company looking to optimize the efficiency of its repetitive manufacturing processes. By integrating various management systems and collaborating with integrated and/or customized platforms, this solution offers comprehensive management of modern manufacturing. The future of manufacturing, thanks to this platform, is not only accessible, but also promises a smooth transition to more efficient and futuristic processes. It proves to be a valuable partner for any company looking to navigate the complex world of modern manufacturing. To learn more, please visit our website or contact our team today!

    Bridging the Skills Gap: Training Workforce for CAM Automation – Part 1

    Posted on by David Medeiros

    Automation is crucial in modern manufacturing, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. Despite its importance, there is a noticeable skills gap in the workforce’s ability to effectively utilize this technology. This gap not only infringes on productivity but also affects the industry’s capacity for innovation and competitiveness. An understanding of these issues sets the stage for exploring effective training and development strategies. Implementation of Industry 4.0 trends is helping partners achieve greater outcomes by leveraging all aspects of their daily operations.

    Evolution of CAM

    In the late 80’s early 90’s, creating a lathe bit for a specific application involved either making it yourself or consulting with a colleague. The drawer where these tools were kept often became so heavy that the rollers broke under the weight. This collection represented years of experience and countless hours of work.

    Initially, half-inch carbide blanks were ground down on a deckle wheel to make cutters for specific needs. Over time, machinists built their collections of carbide cutters, each created for a particular need, leading to heavy toolbox drawers. The days of programming directly on the machine controller and manually grinding down tools have largely disappeared. Today’s machinists rely on CAM software to create their programs. The art of 2D programming has evolved into 3D programming due to surfacing capabilities and time savings. As the industry has evolved, manufacturers have continually sought ways to improve their business operations but, to this day, filling gaps in the workforce that can keep up with the rapidly changing industry remains a key challenge for many businesses.

    Strategies for Training the Workforce in Current and Emerging Software

    Addressing the skills gap involves first assessing the specific training needs of the workforce through skills audits and feedback mechanisms. Developing a curriculum that focuses on critical CAM software like Autodesk Fusion can significantly enhance capabilities. Additionally, partnerships with educational institutions, software providers, machine tool partners, and industry leaders can help create comprehensive and practical training modules that are directly applicable to the industry’s needs.

    As the industry has evolved and CAM has become increasingly important in manufacturing, there has been a focus on building upon current processes. Historically, most tasks were programmed with a CAM package, and automation was discussed but implemented differently. Today, forging holistic industry partnerships can create comprehensive and practical training modules.

    Before the current advancements, macros were created to assist with repetitive tasks, such as rest machining toolpaths and setting up programming sessions for new models. Today, there is a push to automate everything, developing processes to advance manufacturing and address the shortage of skilled workers. Automation now includes Artificial Intelligence and plugins to maximize efficiency while minimizing personnel requirements.

    Tools and Technology to Streamline Processes

    Incorporating automation tools such as Make Productivity, CloudNC, and OptiNC can address many common manufacturing pain points. Implementing them can increase both efficiency and accuracy, helping to meet the manufacturing needs of today’s machining processes and ultimately leading to greater sustainability. Integrating these tools into the workforce ensures that employees are proficient in modern technologies, preparing them for current demands and future advancements.

    A notable example of successful workforce transformation is the case of Manufacture Scorpion. Through targeted training and technology adoption, operational efficiency was significantly enhanced. This case study, among others, provides valuable insights into effective strategies and best practices that can be adopted by other firms aiming to leverage CAM automation for business improvement.

    Read more about Manufacture Scorpion’s success story here.

    The Future of CAM Automation and Required Skills

    The future of CAM automation is likely to be shaped by continuous technological advancements. As these innovations emerge, the industry must prepare a workforce that is skilled in current technologies and adaptable to future changes. This requires an ongoing commitment to training and development, ensuring the workforce remains competitive and capable of handling new challenges and opportunities in CAM automation.

    Artificial intelligence is now a significant tool in the industry, changing the manufacturing landscape for future generations. With companies having facilities in various countries, efficient data exchange will be transformed by AI tools that strengthen customer relationships and service delivery. The future of CAM automation will be shaped by technological advancements, requiring a workforce that is adaptable and skilled in current and future technologies.

    To learn more about training and other CAM automation services visit this link or reach out to info@solidcad.ca

    Dynamic Duo – AutoCAD Plant 3D and Navisworks: How to view Plant 3D data in Navisworks

    Posted on by Malaika Lwakila

    In a data driven world, information can be the currency that can make or break your project. Misinformation, or the lack of, can cause delays and costly errors in a project’s life cycle.

    AutoCAD Plant 3D is a powerful process-piping design tool. Each piping component placed in Plant 3D has useful data embedded in it. This data is crucial for the plant’s overall design. However, this data can only be viewed within the Plant 3D application.

    In plant design, data will pass through many hands and in various stages of the project. How do we then share this information to external parties like clients, fabricators or constructors who don’t have the Plant 3D application?

    This is where the dependable sidekick comes to the rescue. Navisworks!

    Navisworks has the ability to open various file types. It can also read embedded data if the proper object enabler is installed. Fortunately, Autodesk has one specifically for Plant 3D. You can download the 2021 version here.

    Here’s an example of a Plant 3D model in Navisworks without an object enabler. You can see that some shapes aren’t displayed properly, and it is not reading the embedded data.

    Here is the same Plant 3D model with the object enabler installed. All the components are displayed correctly, and the embedded data is being displayed in the properties section.

     

    With the Plant 3D model in Navisworks, the file can now be saved as an NWD file and delivered to external parties. All they need is Navisworks Freedom to view the file, which can be downloaded for free from Autodesk.

    This is one of many features available in Navisworks. Apart from a robust 3D viewer it can perform tasks such as clash detection and animation.

    If you would like to learn more, Navisworks training is available as a supplementary course to SolidCAD’s Plant 3D course curriculum. Please contact training@solidcad.ca

    In the next blog, we will look at how to utilize the Navisworks plug in within Plant 3D. Stay tuned!