Says product manager Christophe Mas: “Industry 4.0, or Smart Manufacturing, isn’t just a goal for large manufacturers. We have more and more small companies turning to us, wanting a complete digital chain integrating specifications, and automating production management directly integrated with their Radan CAM solution, allowing them to get realtime views of their current workload, business profitability analysis, and full inventory control – all connected to their existing accounting system.”
Originally dedicated to mould makers, Workplan from Hexagon’s production software portfolio, has been able to mix a single database with multiple business requirements such as tools, sheet metal, prototyping, and mechanics. “This means it shares new functions developed specifically for niche markets but which have now become real assets for all customers in many industrial sectors.”
Initially used as a business calculator for sheet metal quotes, Radan’s quoting module, Radquote, connects seamlessly with Workplan, and now updates projects using referenced components present in a bill of material, optimising the price for the project.
“It’s also possible to mix Workplan base items and new parts requiring a specific calculation in Radquote on the same quote lines,” says Mas. “Material prices are automatically updated between the two solutions, and the system can now generate a request for a quote through the sheet estimation, directly based on Radan’s nesting engine.”
Enhancements to the activity basket, which was launched in Workplan 2020.0, make it possible to automatically create all baskets for the same project in just a few clicks…or from a nest with a simple drag and drop. And the activity baskets can now be controlled via the barcode system with specific manufacturing ranges, or via touch screens. “This revolutionises the management of time tracking, and promotes automation and flexibility in the workshop. It also simplifies the management of assembly activities, heat treatment and finishing operations.”
A new set of measures has been introduced to guarantee maximum protection for storing both customer and employee data. “We have also implemented best practice guidelines related to the fundamental rights of GDPR, such as consent management, right to be forgotten, right to change, and data portability.”
In conclusion, Mas says that Workplancontinues to integrate into all Hexagon solutions, with more and more projects in preparation to make it an increasingly essential part of the full digital chain.
“Our objective is no longer just to propose a production management solution, but to implement the solution dedicated to our customers’ needs, connected to their CADCAM tools.”
