Engineering drawing management software (EDMS)
The
essential output of engineering design is not a product, but the engineering drawing
package necessary for replicating the product
accurately, consistently and efficiently.
Engineering drawing content
Your engineering drawings are the essential communication method for conveying design
data. In most cases, the engineering drawing package is created using computer-aided
design (CAD) software, but may occasionally include paper documents,
photographic film, computer binary code on CD, and other physical
media. Groups within and outside your company rely entirely on the accuracy and
completeness of your engineering drawing package to efficiently realize your
design intent.
Engineering drawing control requirements
Since the engineering drawing package forms the foundation of a company's intellectual property,
the contents of the engineering drawing package
must be cataloged, and changes to each engineering drawing must be identified, reviewed, approved and
distributed to affected personnel.
While engineering drawing practice has been defined by older standards such as
DOD-STD-100 and later by the ASME Y14 standards, these simply specify the
engineering drawing content, and not its management and control.
However, managing the engineering drawing package throughout a product's life cycle
is a major challenge for companies facing rapidly-changing market conditions,
supply chain changes, and regulatory
requirements. Accurate, up-to-date information is crucial to a correctly
manufactured product.
An engineering drawing that can't be identified correctly, or has unapproved
content, or has simply "gone missing" can't contribute to the quality of a
product.
On the other hand, an engineering drawing package that is identifiable,
searchable, reviewable, and immediately available significantly reduces product costs by
simplifying design, procurement, manufacturing, customer training and field
service.
PDXpert PLM software provides these exact benefits — try it
now.
Engineering drawing management functions
A complete engineering drawing management software environment encompasses a
combination of capabilities and processes.
Engineering drawing management capabilities should include efficient
methods for creating design document and part data records, managing assembly structures,
storing electronic file attachments, and processing engineering change forms.
Engineering drawing management processes include
business rules that define which document and part types are supported, how item
numbers are assigned, how drawings are revised, who approves changes to
part & drawing revisions, the conditions under which parts are qualified for use, and a host of
other details.
Engineering drawing management with PDXpert PLM software
PDXpert PLM software provides a comprehensive set of engineering drawing management
capabilities that in-house document control solutions can't match. From
electronic file management in a centralized data library to change workflow that
encourages detailed design reviews, PDXpert PLM software solves many of the document control
challenges that face growing companies.
PDXpert PLM software provides these engineering drawing
management capabilities:
- fast, attribute-driven engineering drawing and part record searches
- rules-based item number assignment, which support both intelligent part number and
tabulated drawing schemes
- flexible item revision rules, including optional pre- and post-production formats
- pre-defined part and drawing types with default attributes
- drag-and-drop object construction for quickly building assemblies
- engineering drawing, part, BOM and design file release management with approval workflow
These functions translate directly into real benefits including
increased sales revenue through faster product releases;
lower product costs by using the most current engineering
drawings and parts; and
lower administrative overhead by providing important supporting
information (like cost and material roll-ups) automatically.
Prove it yourself with a free evaluation now.
PDXpert PLM software: Beyond engineering drawing management
As engineering departments' requirements have expanded, engineering drawing
management solutions have become more sophisticated.
Product lifecycle management software is the evolutionary descendant of simple "engineering
drawing control" software.
PDXpert PLM software provides the necessary engineering drawing
management capabilities and, equally important,
automates and enforces the many processes necessary for good engineering data management.
And, PDXpert PLM software goes beyond just engineering document control by including the functions
essential for managing the complete product design life cycle, such as part
records, bills of materials, engineering changes, materials management.
Learn more about how PDXpert PLM manages your engineering drawings
PDXpert PLM has been specifically designed for smaller organizations making
the transition from ad hoc product data management.
We invite you to:
Learn more about how PDXpert PLM can handle your engineering drawings and
product data by registering now for our free, fully-functional evaluation
software.
Get a free link to evaluate PDXpert PLM software as your engineering drawing management system.