Digital Manufacturing is the use of an integrated, computer-based system comprised of simulation, three- dimensional (3D) visualization, analytics, and various collaboration tools to create product and manufacturing process definitions simultaneously.
Evolving from manufacturing initiatives such as Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), flexible manufacturing, lean manufacturing and others that highlight the need for more collaborative product and process design, Digital Manufacturing had become the key point of integration between PLM and various shop floor applications and equipment, enabling the exchange of product-related information between design and manufacturing groups. This alignment allows manufacturing companies to achieve their time-to-market and volume goals, as well as realize cost savings by reducing expensive downstream changes.
With Digital Manufacturing systems, manufacturing engineers can create the complete definition of a manufacturing process in a virtual environment, which includes tooling, assembly lines, work centres, facility layout, ergonomics, and resources.
