Info event
Learn more about the upcoming tasks and the Future PLM project on 10.10.2024! The event is free of charge!
Shape the Future PLM with us!
In Industry 4.0, the need for advanced and integrated product lifecycle management (PLM) is crucial.
Can today’s IT systems in engineering adequately support this task?
We continue to see PLM systems as the central answer to daily challenges. But are today’s PLM systems fit enough to adequately integrate topics such as Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)? What about ERP? With simulation and AI? Which database technologies are suitable for managing large volumes of data? What about sustainability – e.g. product passport etc.? Do you really know what the processes of tomorrow need to look like, which use cases should be supported and what your path to future PLM looks like?Become part of the Future PLM project!
You and your company have recognized the need for action and are aware of the dormant innovation potential in the subject area. But the topic is too big to tackle alone! Do you want to strengthen your competence and ability to act in this field? The Fraunhofer IEM and Two Pillars invite motivated companies to be part of this pioneering joint project and to think ahead and help shape the future of PLM together. Register for the information event on October 10, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. and become part of the project from January 2025!About the project
PLM stands for “Product Lifecycle Management”. It refers to a methodical approach to managing the product lifecycle of a product – from the idea, through design and production, to use and disposal. It is often equated with the IT systems commonly used for this task. These systems play a central role in the rapidly developing industry. They help companies to develop and manage products more efficiently and sustainably. Are today’s approaches still “fit for tomorrow”?
Future PLM tackles this task!
The result of “Future PLM” is a roadmap that anticipates the PLM of the future on the basis of use cases. The roadmap includes implementation
recommendations and timelines for the effective design of the PLM “of tomorrow”. Prototypes demonstrate the implementation of possible concepts. In addition, each project participant gains in-depth knowledge of PLM, MBSE, ERP, ALM, AI, simulations and related technologies.
Why are the topics MBSE, ERP, … so important for Future PLM?
Model-Based Systems Engineering - MBSE
The integration of MBSE into PLM systems enables central, model-based management of the entire system architecture.
The aim is to seamlessly link system specifications - especially functional and logical descriptions - with the physical product data.
of functional and logical descriptions - with the physical product data in order to improve and largely automate change management and validations.
be.
What's more, this is how real RFLP becomes possible!
Simulations
Simulation tools are insufficiently integrated into the development process.
This often leads to inefficient iterations and a higher risk of design errors.
By integrating simulations directly into PLM systems, products can be comprehensively tested and validated as early as the design phase.
Important keywords are "digital twin" as well as topics such as simulation planning and data management.
Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP
Development data and company resources are not integrated and reduce the efficiency of processes such as procurement and production planning.
The bidirectional integration of ERP in PLM could enable real-time synchronization between development data and operational business processes and, for example, synchronize BOMs and material requirements planning with development data in real time.
BOMs and material requirements planning could be synchronized with the development data in real time.
In this way, production preparation, stock levels and supply chain management can be optimized.
The positive result is more precise planning and resource utilization!
Application Lifecycle Management - ALM
The separate management of software development and product lifecycle processes makes it difficult to integrate software into physical products and leads to inconsistencies and unnecessary effort. The integration of ALM into PLM systems, for example, makes it possible to enables consistent management of hardware and software, ensures consistent versioning and traceability and efficiently coordinates software and hardware changes.
Artificial intelligence - AI
With the exponential increase in data in PLM systems, the challenge of efficiently analyzing and using relevant information is also increasing. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers considerable advantages here by enabling the automated analysis of large volumes of data. Intelligent optimization of design processes, proactive error detection and automation of routine tasks such as change management and quality control are potential benefits.
Technologies
Relational databases are already reaching their limits today.
Scaling problems and inefficient data queries are the result.
New technologies are more flexible and more powerful, e.g. graph databases, in-memory databases or distributed data processing.
The aim is to identify and evaluate technologies that enable a future-proof PLM system that is able to manage complex data relationships efficiently, process large amounts of data quickly and react flexibly to future challenges.
Procedure in the project
The project brings together industrial companies under the leadership of Fraunhofer IEM and Two Pillars. The focus is on the joint development of target images and use cases for future PLM. The Future PLM project thus creates the basis for representing and further developing the complex subject area within the company.
The joint project is based on a combination of workshops to analyze topics, research to identify existing partial solutions, derivation and elaboration of use cases and the (further) development of solutions. The concept promotes intensive exchange in order to overcome the challenges together. The joint project management of Fraunhofer IEM and Two Pillars enables both a methodical-scientific approach and implementable solutions.
The path to the project start
Expression of interest
After the information event, you express your interest. We will discuss the details with you and respond to your further ideas and wishes. Mid-November 2024
Team Setup
We conclude corresponding agreements with you and the other project partners and narrow down the relevant topics. First joint introductory sessions take place online - beginning of December 2024
Project start
The project starts with the onsite kick-off event in Paderborn on January 22/23, 2025. Get to know all the partners in person and let's take the first steps towards Future PLM together.
Your project partners
Two Pillars GmbH
Two Pillars is a spin-off from the Fraunhofer network.
The vision: “LeanTools for Lean Engineering” – it all started with the MBSE modeler iQUAVIS.
Customer projects led to further technologies, such as AI applications, simulation and much more.
Fraunhofer IEM
The guiding theme of the Fraunhofer IEM is the engineering of the future.
The projects from research and industry pursue a holistic approach: products, production systems, services and software applications.
Future PLM is the next level!
Dr.-Ing. Christian Tschirner
Managing Director
Two Pillars GmbH
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roman Dumitrescu
Director
Fraunhofer IEM
Fabian Wyrwich
Group Manager
Fraunhofer IEM
The project environment: Systems Engineering Live Lab
The Systems Engineering Live Lab – SE Live Lab for short – is integrated into the “Future PLM” project. The SE Live Lab is a competence center for systems engineering methods, languages and systems. This not only ensures methodological expertise, but also provides a suitable IT working environment.
- 36 sqm workshop and training room with 8 flexible workstations
- Outstanding software equipment, e.g. iQUAVIS in the MBSE area, various M-CAD, ECAD, PLM systems - including CIM Database and much more.
- Various collaboration solutions, including Microsoft Surface Hubs, mobile end devices, virtual desktop infrastructure
- Modeling languages, e.g. CONSENS, UML; SysML