Resource Manager manages a wide range of manufacturing resource data, including information on machine tools, fixtures, robots, process templates, and more.

The Resource Manager is an application based on and tightly integrated with UGS PLM Solutions' industry leading Teamcenter data management system. It

provides a library to manage a wide range of manufacturing resource data. Detailed information on everything from machine tools, cutting tools and gages to robots, welding guns and manufacturing process templates can be stored in the Resource Manager. The software allows you to define a comprehensive structure under which data can classified and carry out parametric search queries to retrieve data. With these capabilities, you can use resource data directly within the E-factory applications.

While Resource Manager is integrated with Teamcenter, one of its key values it that is can operate as a “standalone” library system. This means that suppliers and other companies don't need to install a full-blown data management system to take advantage of the Resource Manager.

The Problem: Finding the data you need…when you need it

Today's manufacturing companies face increasing pressure to bring higher quality products to market faster and for less cost. Pre-production planning represents perhaps the most promising phase of the product lifecycle to achieve significant time, cost and quality improvements. One challenge that all manufacturers face is the problem of finding data. By some industry accounts, manufacturing engineers spend as much as 40% of their time looking for data -- and a considerable number of time-consuming mistakes are made as a result of using the wrong information.

Managing resource data -- information on such assets as machine tools, robots and process templates -- is a particularly difficult challenge. Frequently there is no common source for such information. The data that does exist is fragmented across multiple locations and is not accessible by the applications that need to use it. Manufacturing engineers struggle to locate records of how processes were best implement in the past. They often have no recourse but to design new practices because they simply can't find the data they need to build off of proven processes. In these cases, time and is wasted on duplicate efforts and inventory stock levels needlessly mushroom, increasing procurement and storage costs.

The Solution: Easy access to a library of manufacturing resources

The Resource Manager provides a common environment that allows you to gain easy access to a library of manufacturing resources. The task of finding the right data when it's needed is simplified with a tailor-made classification structure that provides graphical viewing, a wide array of search features and solid version control management. With these functions, you can identify the criteria for any resource you need and access it within seconds. The 3D graphics display makes it much easier to ensure that you have the right resource than reading through text records.

Because the Resource Manager is linked to E-factory applications through Teamcenter Manufacturing, you can search for tooling, fixtures, machines and templates directly within those applications. This avoids the need for multiple separate databases. More importantly, you can configure applications automatically retrieve the right set-up, process and tooling templates from the Resource Manager without any user intervention, providing fast, effective re-use of standard resources and methods.

Key Capabilities

Resource Manager makes it easy to find data. It provides a tailor-made classification structure with graphical viewing, extensive search features and solid version control management.

Classification structure -- The Resource Manager uses in-CLASS technology to classify resources. These resources are extended with classification information and organized in a hierachical structure. Each class is defined by its name and a set of attributes. These attributes are the characteristics of the objects the class represents. For example, the class might include physical characteristics such as length, cutting diameter, weight, vendor and material.

Parametric search engine -- Searches can be performed within a class or subclass using all attributes. You can also use wildcards or ranges as search criteria. After defining and performing a search operation, the Resource Manager displays the results in table or page form.

Integrated 2D and 3D graphics -- A 2D/3D graphics viewer is provided in the Resource Manager user interface. You can visualize resource assemblies or components with this viewer in a variety of formats (bitmaps, vector graphics, 3D models). For 3D data available in .jt format, you can rotate, zoom, measure, cross-section or capture an image in the viewer. The Resource Manager also allows you to create 3D representations based on attributes. This enables you to automatically generate a 3D solid part file for every data record using a parametric Unigraphics part family.

Setup Sheets -- Resource Manager allows you to generate setup sheets from the 2D or 3D graphical representations. These setup sheets use XML/XSL technology and provide all the necessary information about the resource to print or send down to the shop floor.

Building resource assemblies -- The Resource Manager allows you to create, edit, classify and search your own resource assemblies. For instance, you could define, modify and extend the BOM structure of a tool assembly with a multitude of information such as the type, tool gauge lengths, setup information, and more. If you want more detailed information on the components mounted in the assembly, all you would have to do is select the component from the BOM and the component properties and graphic files would also be displayed.