Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched a new initiative aimed at boosting manufacturing flexibility, addressing the pressing needs of industries such as automotive and aerospace, which are often constrained by their legacy infrastructure. This groundbreaking service, known as Digital Factory-as-a-Service, focuses on enhancing factory growth, redesign, and construction, thereby enabling manufacturers to adapt swiftly to a rapidly changing global market. The service promises to streamline numerous production processes, thanks to its advanced technological capabilities and data-driven approach.
Revolutionizing Factory Management
Overcoming Legacy Challenges
The Digital Factory-as-a-Service is designed to tackle the complications associated with decades-old brownfield facilities. Automotive and aerospace manufacturers can significantly benefit from this service as it helps them map and model existing plants, thus enabling an increase in production or the introduction of new product lines. The process begins with Hexagon’s scanning experts capturing highly accurate and up-to-date information regarding plants and equipment. This involves large-scale 3D scans and surveys capable of covering thousands of square meters within mere hours, versus traditional methods that might take several days or weeks.
By identifying needs and defining workflows, Hexagon ensures that data collection is both efficient and comprehensive. The collected data is then processed to create Building Information Models (BIM) along with customized services that allow manufacturers to leverage factory data fully. This information is not only interoperable but can also be utilized in creating immersive 3D factory models using both Hexagon’s solutions and other vendor tools. This interoperability extends the utility of the data, providing manufacturers with flexibility and ease of integration.
Real-time Insights and Planning
One of the standout features of the Digital Factory-as-a-Service is its ability to provide real-time insights. Manufacturers can evaluate new machinery, adjust workflows, and adapt to changing conditions with enhanced precision. The platform supports testing flexible manufacturing scenarios, such as zero-tooling environments, where robots, cobots, and AGVs (autonomous guided vehicles) can be integrated to assess potential changes before their actual implementation. This capability is particularly beneficial in minimizing disruptions and costly delays, as staff can navigate a digital replica of their physical space, identify clearances, and spot potential problems in advance.
Remote collaboration is significantly facilitated by Hexagon’s service, which can reduce project-related travel costs by as much as 50% and minimize site visits by up to 70%. This remote approach ensures faster achievement of digitalization goals, enabling manufacturers to link assets and data to create digital twins of their factories for future smart factory development. Data can be stored in Hexagon’s cloud or on-premises by the customer, offering additional flexibility in data management and security.
Enhancing Manufacturing Flexibility
Scalable Solutions
Hexagon’s Digital Factory-as-a-Service is designed to be highly scalable, making it suitable for both single and multiple facility deployments. This scalability ensures that manufacturers, regardless of their operational size, can benefit from accurate visualizations for planning new factories, monitoring ongoing production processes, and reconfiguring existing sites. The service offers detailed and actionable insights through advanced 3D modeling and real-time data analysis, promoting seamless collaboration among team members and proactive problem-solving.
With its scalable nature, the service also supports multiple organizational roles and the software they use. Hexagon’s open platforms and interoperable software enable a wide range of users to interact with the data, facilitating collaboration across different departments. This integrated approach ensures that all stakeholders have access to the information they need to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to more efficient and flexible manufacturing operations.
Future-proofing Through Digital Twins
A key advantage of Hexagon’s service is its potential to future-proof manufacturing operations through the creation of digital twins. By linking assets and data, manufacturers can develop highly detailed digital representations of their physical factories. These digital twins enable manufacturers to model and simulate various scenarios, helping them to identify optimal configurations and strategies for future growth.
The creation of digital twins is especially valuable for smart factory development, as it allows manufacturers to test new technologies and processes in a virtual environment before implementing them in the real world. This not only reduces the risk of costly errors but also accelerates the adoption of innovative solutions that can drive long-term success. With the ability to store data securely in the cloud or on-premises, Hexagon’s service ensures that manufacturers have the flexibility to choose the best storage solution for their needs.
Conclusion
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has introduced a groundbreaking initiative called Digital Factory-as-a-Service. This revolutionary service aims to enhance manufacturing flexibility and is particularly crucial for industries like automotive and aerospace, which often struggle with their outdated infrastructure. Digital Factory-as-a-Service is designed to support factory growth, redesign, and construction. By leveraging advanced technological capabilities and a data-driven approach, this service enables manufacturers to quickly adapt to the rapidly evolving global market. It promises to streamline various production processes, optimize efficiency, and boost overall productivity. In an industry where timely adaptation to market conditions is essential, Hexagon’s service provides a significant advantage, allowing companies to effortlessly transition and modernize their operations. Through this innovative solution, manufacturers can address the pressing need for agile and scalable production environments, ensuring they stay competitive and responsive to changing demands and challenges.
