Process Automation

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Process Automation in Virtual Product Development

Increasing Efficiency Through Digitalisation

Process automation is becoming increasingly important in digital product development and offers considerable advantages. But what exactly does process automation mean and why is it so crucial for modern companies?

What is Process Automation?

Process automation refers to the use of technologies to automate manual and repetitive tasks. Digital product development and factory planning generate large volumes of 3D data that need to be calculated, analysed and evaluated. By automating these processes, companies can create transparency in the data and at the same time utilise intelligent results very efficiently for further processes and decisions.

Why is Process Automation Important?

The automation of processes offers numerous advantages, including:

Reduction in Manual Labour

Automated processes minimise the need for manual intervention, reducing the workload for employees.

Cost Reduction

Less manual labour means lower personnel costs and fewer errors, which can be costly.

Time Saving

Automated systems work faster and more efficiently than humans, which means that projects can be completed more quickly.

Error Avoidance

Automation reduces human error, which leads to higher product quality ahead of time (‘first time right’)

Increased Efficiency

Automated processes are consistent and can work around the clock, increasing overall efficiency.

Increased Motivation

Employees can concentrate on value-adding activities, which leads to greater satisfaction and motivation.

Increase Competitiveness

Companies that rely on automation can react more quickly and efficiently to market changes.

Boost Image

A digitalised company is perceived as innovative and future-oriented.

Countering the shortage of skilled labour

Automation compensates for the shortage of skilled labour.

What is the Operational Impact of Automation?

Nach erfolgreicher Automatisierung sind Prozesse in der Regel:

Independent:

All processes run without constant human supervision.

Digital:

All data and processes are digitalised.

Efficiency

Automated processes work independently, faster and error-free.

What does Process Automation Involve?

Our process automation services aim to optimise various aspects of manual and repetitive work through the use of advanced technologies. A key component of this automation is the reduction of manual activities. This means that routine tasks that were previously carried out by humans are replaced by automated systems. This not only leads to faster and more consistent execution of these tasks, but also to a significant reduction in human error.

In addition, we are focussing on the automation of repetitive tasks. This type of work is often time-consuming and can severely impact the efficiency of an organisation. By introducing automated processes, these repetitive tasks can be completed more efficiently and consistently, leading to an overall increase in productivity.

Another important area of our solutions and tools is the automated calculation of large amounts of data. Digital product development or factory planning often generate huge amounts of 3D data that need to be analysed and evaluated. By using specialised software solutions, this data can be processed and analysed automatically, leading to faster and more accurate results.

The automated evaluation of data is another key component of our automation solutions. By implementing intelligent systems, the results of data analyses can be automatically evaluated and made available to the relevant departments within the company. This enables faster decision-making and more efficient utilisation of existing data.

Finally, our process automation also includes the automated provision of information. This means that relevant data and results are automatically provided to the right departments or employees without the need for manual intervention. This ensures that everyone involved always has the latest information and can act accordingly.

The Road to Process Automation

Our approach to automation comprises several steps:

Identification of disruptive process steps.

Showing the possibilities and their effects.

Identification of potential risks and stumbling blocks.

Development and presentation of the solution.

Integration of the technology and implementation of the automated processes.

Examples of Process Automation with invenio VT

Here are some concrete examples of what process automation looks like in practice:

For BMW, we have made geometric chassis validation more efficient with automation. Thanks to database-based, automated and AI-supported calculations and analyses, the process of virtual chassis validation is now faster, more transparent and more reliable than with manual solutions. This enables short and efficient development iterations and networked working methods.

We were able to combine the individual components, interfaces, algorithms and AI in such a way that a complex topic could be transformed into a simple chassis development workflow - in a consistent, intelligent, safe and user-friendly way.

  • Automatic geometry check: data transfer, calculation, analysis and evaluation with the help of AI.
  • Automatic envelope generation: Automatic calculation and provision of static and dynamic envelopes.
  • Automatic mapping of JT textures: Automatic import and mapping of JT files and textures.
  • Automatic assembly sequence: Intelligent calculation of the disassembly and assembly sequence of components.
  • Automatic image generation: Generation of thousands of images directly in the database for documentation purposes.
  • Automatic envelope generation for visualisation: Faster visualisation of large amounts of data.

Further examples of how intelligent algorithms and customised solutions can be used to automate processes and increase cost potential:

Automatic Assembly Sequence for Vehicles

We implemented an automatic assembly sequence for new vehicle models for a major customer in the automotive industry. The manual process to develop a correct sequence previously took several weeks. With the help of 3D data, intelligent algorithms and methodical understanding, we were able to reduce this process to around four hours per vehicle.

Virtual Investigation of Service Cases during Development

In the past, our customer manually checked all service cases for the repair processes for each construction phase. By automatically identifying the relevant scopes and data, we have reduced the number of manual checks by around 25 per cent. Our modular VT-DMU software system identifies all service-relevant geometry changes and their impact on the repair in the background. This leads to cost savings of around 230,000 euros per year for our customer.

Automatic Calculation of Photorealistic Graphics

The creation of graphics for spare parts catalogues, operating instructions or marketing and sales purposes often involves a lot of manual work and high costs, for example by commissioning external agencies. With our modules from the VT-DMU modular software system, we have developed a customised solution that automatically calculates and generates photorealistic graphics directly in the PDM system based on the existing 3D data. This saves our customer up to 30 per cent in time and costs per graphic.

Fazit

Process automation is a central component of digital transformation. It helps companies to work more efficiently, reduce costs and increase product quality. By using state-of-the-art technologies in digital product development and factory planning, we create the basis for a successful future in the industrial metaverse and Industry 4.0.

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