Wilcox Associates Introduces New PC-DMIS Planner Software

By DE Editors

Wilcox Associates, Inc. has announced the release of the PC-DMIS Planner software. The toolset is designed to improve the flow of information between the design and engineering departments. PC-DMIS Planner was developed to create a formalized and two-directional data flow between a CAD model and its related inspection part programs.

In many companies today, design modifications such as tolerance adjustments are communicated downstream through informal methods such as a phone call or a marked-up drawing. PC-DMIS Planner automates these communication links so CAD file revisions can be electronically communicated to quality control.

“PC-DMIS Planner automates one of the last significant disconnects in manufacturing,” says Joe Zink, product manager for PC-DMIS Planner. “We have great tools to design parts using 3D CAD, and we have powerful tools to inspect parts using 3D CAD. But the missing link was a vehicle to enable these two worlds to communicate changes to each other.   Additions, deletions, and changes to a CAD model are often dealt with using ad-hoc methods prone to error.  PC-DMIS Planner is a solution designed to formally communicate new information, automatically identify the specific impact to inspection programs, and keep an ongoing record of all changes.”

The design engineer can use PC-DMIS Planner to identify and embed information about critical characteristics in a planning file that is associated with the product’s CAD file. PC-DMIS Planner interfaces directly to the CAD model in the original CAD database, so updated planning files can be associated with updated CAD files. Tools within PC-DMIS Planner allow the user to identify changes to an original part model or inspection plan, and provide methods to update part programs based on the new information.  

PC-DMIS Planner is available as a standalone module that works within the PC-DMIS 2010 Enterprise Metrology suite of products. The software is compatible with all editions of PC-DMIS.

For more information, visit Wilcox Associates.

Sources:  Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.