Single source of information

Bausch+Stroebel’s consultation, sales, production, assembly, service and R&D is performed at a single location. There, the many different project participants need access to up-to-date information for managing processes ranging from requirements engineering to project and design engineering, to production and verification. That is why Bausch+Stroebel decided to implement a central information platform based on the Teamcenter® digital lifecycle management solution from Siemens PLM Software. This platform incorporates additional product lifecycle management (PLM) functionality, called PLM-easy, from BCT Technology AG, a Siemens solution partner.

This information system (Teamcenter with PLM-easy) was designed for mediumsized machinery companies. Teamcenter enables the managing and sharing of all product design data and most importantly, eases the creation and management of documentation throughout the company. Also, complete BOMs are administered by the Teamcenter-based solution. Due to Bausch+Stroebel’s CAD history, which includes many systems used in parallel, a multi-CAD environment must be maintained and various data formats must be managed. With help from BCT, Bausch+Stroebel was able to integrate existing 2D CAD applications into Teamcenter, enabling convenient drawing management. Now, gradually, all other information is being included as well.

3D to cope with increased complexity

Because the increased complexity and time pressures of the company’s projects had rendered 2D insufficient, another element of BCT’s strategy for increasing production efficiency at Bausch+Stroebel was the implementation of the NX™ digital product development software. With 2D, especially 2D assembly drawings, some sectional views were not available, letting machines enter detailing without a complete description and leading to problems in downstream processes. With NX 3D engineering functionality, fewer problems occur and the remaining ones are identified in earlier phases of the product lifecycle.

In addition, digital mockups can be created with NX at every stage of development to examine engineering quality. The assembly process has been improved by the use of digital mockups and because the assembly personnel now have direct access to 3D data. In addition, NX makes it possible to change designs to meet specific requirements simply by manipulating parameters. This facilitates customerspecific arrangements of equipment, increasing overall production efficiency.

The integration of NX and Teamcenter has simplified information sharing in sophisticated processes such as multi-body simulations and geometry optimization. In fact, Teamcenter has improved the exchange of information throughout the entire company. Drawings are no longer necessary for final assembly, and Teamcenter gives team members direct access to all CAD data.

This solution provides many benefits to Bausch+Stroebel. Processes are more streamlined. CAD models are more detailed and more precise. Communication between engineering and other departments is more efficient. And faster model modifications are leading to shorter cycle times. Information that is updated online and directly accessible by every department improves machinery design and verification. In addition, Teamcenter accelerates and automates the creation of spare parts catalogs. A complete catalog is generated from the BOM and published at the push of a button, saving considerable resources on monotonous work.

The next step in Bausch+Stroebel’s PLM initiative is the complete integration of its electromechanical applications into Teamcenter. This will be done in cooperation with BCT and Siemens PLM Software, and will result in another range of applications maintained within the single knowledge database. At the end of that project, a redundancy-free database providing direct information access to all company departments will be established.