26th International Association for Management of Technology Conference - IAMOT 2017

This paper provides a novel approach for comprehensive 3D measurement data management in complex process chains in the automotive industry to fulfil technological requirements of Industry 4.0. A variety of measurement methods and equipment are used in the automotive industry today to ensure the specified level of product quality. The multitude of devices and processes found in the automotive industry has always provided fertile ground for the harmonization of processes and methods. The desire for a standardized interface for the flexible design of the measurement process, is therefore a logical consequence. It requires a complex object model that not only includes the product model but also the equipment and tools, as well as the relevant test and tolerance data (product and manufacturing information and its relation to the 3D geometry). Cross-domain data management also gives rise to the need for powerful measurement data management. Here, factors such as data-related recording, digital master, and control of the measurement process, as well as IT systems and interfaces play a role. Companies are hoping that this will bring about an increase in the level of process automation, improvements to the change process, further stabilization in the process, consistent quality statements, enhanced performance in individual process steps, as well as the early identification of risks. This challenge was recognized a number of years ago and was taken up by the Inspection PlusPlus Data Management Services (I++ DMS) initiative, a consortium of European automobile manufacturers. Initial implementations of I++ DMS are being used in the quality management systems operated by German automotive OEMs. The data is not typically exchanged directly between the data-producing and the data-consuming systems but rather via an intermediate layer for persistent data storage. I++ DMS has not yet been able to sufficiently establish itself as a standard in the extremely complex measurement process. Implementation of the measurement process involving many different manufacturers and components is therefore still being stretched to the limit – a limit that would vanish with the definition of a uniform interface. A project group entitled “3D Measurement Data Management“ was set up under the joint auspices of the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) and the ProSTEP iViP Association in order to address this issue. It is evaluating the current status of I++ DMS with regard to its suitability as the standard format. The reference process created within the framework of the working group comprises not only inspection planning but the entire process chain: quality assurance, inspection plan, inspection task, and measurements. The group is focusing on two use cases: the process chain involved in exchanging quality data within a company and the exchange of quality data between an OEM and a supplier. The findings and results of this working group have a tremendous relevance to introduction of Industry 4.0 in complex manufacturing processes. It is contribution to optimization of existing equipment as well as development of new equipment in the areas measurement strategies, measurement principles and evaluation rules. With this paper we will contribute to the conference topic “Industrial and manufacturing technologies” and give our answer to the question “How can be organized the management of production, facility maintenance, and digitalization?”