Fujitsu today announced the launch of a new version of the Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution COLMINA Digital Production Preparation VPS (1), a series of tools developed by Digital Process Ltd. to support the digital transformation (DX) of production preparation tasks in manufacturing. Sales will commence for the Japanese market today, June 30, with availability in international regions at a later date.
The latest version offers enhanced functions, including a feature that allows users to create a 3D bill of process (3D-BOP) (2) that links 3D data to production process information for production preparation activities such as manufacturing prototyping and process planning. Specifically, the new version includes an improved function for visualizing machine layout and work procedures in a process block diagram (3) in an easy-to-understand manner illustrated with graphics and image inserts, as well as an enhanced function to centralize work data for parts with common specifications in manufacturing lines that handle products with multiple specifications. This makes it possible to quickly create a highly accurate 3D-BOP that can reduce manufacturing errors and the need to redo common tasks. With this tool, Fujitsu can bring the real world of manufacturing closer to the digital world, helping to deliver products to market faster and improve overall productivity and quality.
Fujitsu’s VPS offering will accelerate DX in the manufacturing space by linking digital data from design to manufacturing sites and supports working styles at manufacturing sites for the “new normal,” streamlining work processes and promoting the ability to manage operations remotely. Fujitsu will also contribute to the achievement of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) by improving productivity and quality and creating innovations from a variety of perspectives.
Background
The SDGs Action Plan 2021 (4) announced by the Japanese government in December 2020, identifies the promotion of digital transformation, and establishment of a system where everyone can benefit from digitization, and work to establish and accelerate the ‘new normal’ as a priority issue. At manufacturing sites, DX is expected to link the entire process from design to manufacturing with digital data, and to improve efficiency and productivity by centralizing data, contributing to the fulfillment of this objective.
In the manufacturing industry, COVID-19 is causing demand for new ways of working at manufacturing sites. Simultaneously, it is becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to direct assembly operations, which have been conducted at overseas plants. These factors have led to a growing demand for 3D-BOP solutions that can effectively visualize manufacturing sites.
To address this need, Fujitsu has launched a new version of its VPS with enhanced functions for creating a visually appealing 3D-BOPs and streamlining operations on manufacturing lines.
Features of the New Version
1. VPS Standard and VPS Manufacturing, 3D-BOP creation tools that more faithfully represent the manufacturing site
VPS Standard and VPS Manufacturing are 3D-BOP creation tools for reviewing the manufacturing process with 3D data. With previous versions of this solution, process procedure were represented by process names and parts images that can be assembled in processes, but they were insufficient for intuitive understanding of process layout, work procedures, and way of assembling.
The new version enables the creation of a more visual 3D-BOP solution that is suitable for the manufacturing site by means of graphics and insert images to indicate the arrangement of machines, worker flow lines, and work procedures on the process block diagram, displaying tools on snapshots and process shots (5), and easily creating shapes such as weld shapes, auxiliary materials, and jigs and tools. This reduces operational errors such as misuse of jigs and assembly work order, resulting in higher yield production.
2. VPS GP4, a manufacturing line process planning tool that improves work efficiency by centralizing data
With the previous versions of the VPS GP4 solution, which is used for examining the process plan of a manufacturing line with 3D data, it was necessary to create and edit design data on an individual basis, including for shared tasks. With this enhancement, it will be possible to mix common work and work with different specifications and express them in one data. As a result, when there is a change in a common operation, only one set of data needs to be corrected. This can reduce the operation time by up to about 70% (6). Moreover, since multiple operational procedures are represented by one set of data, it is easier to compare and examine each procedure. Thus, it is possible to apply reasonable improvement measures while looking at evaluation values of production lines.
