Integration with Other Applications > Model Based Definition > Using Windchill Workgroup Manager to Read Product Manufacturing Information (PMI)
Using Windchill Workgroup Manager to Read Product Manufacturing Information (PMI)
The Windchill Workgroup Manager uses the infrastructure provided by Windchill MPMLink. Creating a plan for downstream stakeholders consists of the following steps:
1. Check In 3D model in Windchill Workspace:
Creo: Designate the Creo annotation elements as controlled characteristics before you check in. After you check in the CAD document with the Auto Associate Parts to CAD Documents selected, you can see the model items associated with the CAD Document under Structure.
CATIA V5 and NX: Create a 3D model in CATIA V5 (or in NX) and initiate custom Check-in into the Windchill Workspace. A custom Check-in is initiated to auto associate the CAD model with WTPart. The PMIs of a CAD model are associated with a WTPart based on your expose.model.annotations preference settings.
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Designating Creo Annotation Elements as Control Characteristics Before Check In
The Windchill MPMLink can access the annotation elements in a Creo model only when they are designated as a control characteristic. For more information, refer to Designating Annotation Elements as Control Characteristics in Creo Help Centers: https://www.ptc.com/appserver/cs/help/help.jsp
2. Define Control Characteristics: Open the 3D model in BOM Transformer and define Control Characteristics through the Control Characteristics and/or Visualization tab. In a process, part, assembly, or system, control characteristics are any functional features, geometrical or material properties, that can be qualified, measured, or quantified and for which variation or deviation control is necessary.
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For CATIA V5 and NX adapter, only PMIs can be exposed to Windchill and can be used for Control Characteristic creation.
3. Transform eBoM to mBoM: Transforming an engineering bill of materials (eBOM) into a manufacturing bill of materials (mBOM) is a key component of the manufacturing process. Typically, the as-designed, or engineering view of how a product is to be produced, differs from the as-planned, or manufacturing view of how the product is intended to be built.
4. Reconcile Upstream and Downstream Parts: Use the Equivalence Comparison Report to reconcile differences between upstream parts and downstream parts.
5. Process Plan: Process plans are the detailed description of what needs to be done on the shop floor to produce, inspect, repair, or maintain a given part or assembly. They contain the operations to be performed, the order in which they must be done, the physical resources, plants and skills required, document references, text description, and time and cost requirements.
6. Create Work Instruction: Work instructions can be used on a manufacturing shop floor as a step-by-step guide on how to produce, inspect, repair or maintain parts. Because they are dynamically generated any change made to a process plan, operation or sequence is immediately accessible to a shop floor worker, ensuring that the most up-to-date manufacturing information is always available.
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For more information see Manufacturing Process Management.
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