The digital transition is shaking up every field of activity. And, above all, industry. With the arrival of digital technologies, industrial companies are faced with new challenges and opportunities, such as the Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and the block chain, to name but a few. These technologies enable companies to collect and analyze data, optimize their production processes, personalize their products and services and stand out from the competition.

Adapting to these new technologies is not just a matter of survival, but also an unavoidable factor of competitive performance.

Do you have any doubts? Do you have trouble realizing to what extent your company is involved in this transition? You cannot really measure the risks or what is at stake? Are you are wondering whether this is simply a nebulous concept? Let us explain everything.

What is the digital transition?

Definition

The digital transition, also known as the digital transformation, is the process by which companies adopt digital technologies to improve their activity and productivity.

The benefits of the digital transition for industrial companies

The digital transition improves operational efficiency by automating numerous processes.

Companies can cut their production costs by using digital tools to monitor and optimize the use of their resources.

The digital transition can help companies to better understand their markets and customers, by collecting and analyzing data in real time.

Finally, it enables companies to develop new economic models, by creating innovative products and services that use digital technology.

The scope of application of the digital transition in industry

The digital transition can be applied to many fields of industry.

By way of example, companies can monitor the status of their equipment in real time and prevent failures by using the technology of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Data analysis can optimize the supply chain, improve product quality and reduce downtime.

Virtual and enhanced reality technologies can be used to train employees and improve safety.

Finally, robotics and automation can increase efficiency and cut production costs.

Industry 4.0

The impact of the digital transition on production processes

Robotization has increased productivity and the quality of finished products, while cutting production costs at the same time. The digitalization of production processes has also enabled better stock management and optimized procurement.

In addition, the digital transition has given birth to Industry 4.0, which involves the integration of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things, enhanced reality, artificial intelligence and big data, into factories. This integration has enabled the creation of connected, autonomous and flexible production systems that are capable of adapting quickly customer needs and repairing themselves.

How digital technology has transformed customer-supplier relations

The digital transition has also transformed relations between industrial companies and their customers and suppliers. The digitalization of sales and marketing processes has enabled a better understanding of customer needs and the personalization of offers. Likewise, the digitalization of sourcing and supplier management processes has improved collaboration and cut costs.

The digitalization of customer-supplier relations has also improved chain supply management and enabled disruptions to be anticipated. As a consequence, companies can reduce the risk of shortages and late deliveries.

The new opportunities created by the digital transition

Finally, the digital transition offers new opportunities for industrial companies. The data collected on the Internet of Things and by sensors can be used to improve product quality, predict failures or anticipate customer needs.

In this way, companies can offer new services, such as predictive maintenance, product rental instead of product sales, or analyze customer data to propose personalized offers.

The digital transition allows for the rethinking of economic models. The functionality economy, which consists of selling a service rather than a product, can be developed by digitalizing production processes and collecting data. Consequently, companies can propose subscription, hire or product-sharing offers, which create new sources of income.

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The challenges of the digital transition for industrial companies

The challenges inherent in the digital transition are proportional to its potential benefits.

The cost of the digital transition

The implementation of digital solutions often requires significant investments, and in particular the acquisition of software and hardware. These purchases can represent a financial challenge for companies, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

The importance of cyber security in industry

Digitalization also heightens the risks of cyber vulnerability. When industrial companies connect to computer networks and digital hardware, they are exposed to the risk of cyber attacks. The consequences of these attacks can be catastrophic in terms of the company’s image and can result in serious data losses, production stoppages and financial loss. Here again, the cost of cyber security can be significant.

The organizational changes that are necessary for a successful digital transition

The last challenge is organizational. The implementation of new processes and new practices to make the most of new technologies, staff training, etc. For many companies, the digital transition can quickly turn into a digital revolution, in the broadest sense of the term.

The adoption of new working methods, and the resulting resistance to change, must never be underestimated. Human factors are often the first point to be considered, in particular in the planning of internal communications.

Examples of successful digital transitions in industry

Many industrial companies have already successfully made the digital transition by following a strategy that is well suited to their needs and by collaborating with competent partners.

Schneider Electric implemented a digital transition strategy to transform its business model. It developed IoT (Internet of Things) solutions for energy management, industrial control software and cloud platforms that collect and analyze data. This transition enabled the company to improve its energy efficiency, cut costs and propose new services to its customers.

The tire manufacturer Michelin launched its digital transition by developing leading-edge technologies for connected tires. It built sensors into its tires that collect data on their pressure, temperature and wear in real time. This data is used to optimize the performance, durability and safety of the tires, and to offer monitoring and predictive maintenance services to their customers.

Ruland is an engineering company specialized in industrial installations. It successfully made the digital transition by adopting advanced modeling and 3D simulation technologies. It uses computer-aided design (CAD) software to create realistic digital models of its installations, so that different scenarios can be viewed and tested before their physical construction. This enables the company to optimize its designs, cut construction costs and improve project planning and coordination.

And the future?

The present major trends will be consolidated in the future. And even more powerfully. The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and robotics will further revolutionize the manner in which industrial companies function.

The issues of competitive performance and meeting constantly-changing customer needs will become more and more critical. What was considered as luxury a few years ago, has today become a necessity in order to maintain a position on the market. In this regard, it has become imperative to use the right software solutions, and an efficient ERP in particular.

With its integrated digital CAD-CAM/ERP/PDM chain, TopSolid Integrated Digital Factory brings the factory of the future within reach.

Want to find out more? Then get in touch!

Customized configuration is a key component of digital engineering

With the integration of digital technologies and the automation of information systems, engineering 4.0 (or digital engineering) has revolutionized object design, manufacturing, and production processes. This is how tailor-made configuration has emerged. Digital tools empower users to hyper-personalize their products by playing with various combinations. For that, the customer can adjust his modifications on a 3D simulation to achieve the desired result. In an increasingly competitive production environment, hyper-personalized configuration answers to the growing trend towards mass customization. It is also a solution to the consumers’ desire for personalization and the resulting need for production flexibility. Nowadays, industries wishing to remain competitive must be able to rapidly modify their production lines without losing quality. Therefore, it is essential for them to invest in a high-performance tool capable of multiplying configurations.  

Hyper-personalized configuration: a tool beneficial to all levels of a business

Hyper-personalized configuration is primarily seen as a sales support tool, but its benefits go way beyond the sales department alone – particularly in industry. Customized configuration provides numerous advantages at various levels of the business, including:

• A tenfold increase in production reliability: 3D visualization and details of modifications, made by the design office, during the design phase, enable the manufacturing of error-free complex products.
• Offering consistent prices with real-time updates: with customized configuration, you can monitor real-time price adjustments based on changes made during the design phase. This allows you to sell and produce at the best price without reducing profit margins.
• Expanding your market reach: the number of configurations enables access to a broader customer base. Moreover, customized configurations create a seamless connection between the design and the final product. Consequently, the production begins only after an order is place by the customer.
• Empowering customers: as decision-makers from start to finish of the design process, users can hyper-personalize their products. Customized configuration reduces the discussions between the customer and the design office and significantly reduces the time spent on the project by the latter.
• Improving the competitiveness of all businesses: large corporations, SMEs, SMIs… This technology is accessible to all types of industry. Indeed, in the context of a mass production strategy, small businesses may struggle to remain profitable if they are unable to expand to produce more. Thanks to customized configuration, small and medium-sized businesses can get more profitable without significantly increasing their production.

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Top Solid’Design: custom configuration for manufacturers

TopSolid’Design is CAD software designed to optimize the work of the design office at every stage of the design process. With this in mind the Product Configuration module enables designers to propose customized configurations. The process is straightforward: parts are configured from the 3D model and its possible variants. Everything is designed using native design office data. With just a few clicks, users can customize the product’s appearance to match their wishes and budget, with real-time adaptability. At the end of the configuration process, the design office takes the reconfigured file, makes the modifications required by the user, and sends it to manufacturing. Our Product Configuration module is suitable for both B2B (for industrial customers, resellers, or partners) and B2C. This module meets the user’s demand for customization while streamlining the design office’s workflow. As a modular solution, TopSolid’Design is compatible with most market formats, including our TopSolid’Cam manufacturing software – without any loss of data. Our flexible solution is adapted to the needs of industry designers. It offers:

• full traceability throughout the design process,
• time-saving benefits for the design office through collaborative work,
• sharing of native CAD files,
• …and robust data security and access control.

Try TopSolid’Design: Contact us now!

More precise than traditional machining operations, grinding enables the surface of a product to be finely modified thanks to the abrasive machining technique. Nevertheless, investing in the right machine tools to perform this type of operation represents a significant cost for companies, more so as their piloting can prove difficult for programmers. To facilitate grinding on these machine tools, some manufacturers are exploring the possibilities offered by CAD/CAM. But what additional advantages does CAD/CAM offer this activity? Here’s how.

The challenges of rectification

By employing the principle of abrasive machining, grinding achieves exceptionally high dimensional accuracy on parts, enabling us to meet customer requirements better. Whereas traditional machining operations involve the removal of a swarf, grinding acts more finely on the material, polishing it with a grinding wheel.

While the effectiveness of this method is not in doubt, it nevertheless represents a significant investment for companies: they must purchase the machine tools required for these operations. The challenge for organizations is to measure the profitability of the proposed solutions. To carry out grinding operations, they can:

• Either invest in grinding machines dedicated exclusively to honing.
• Or to invest in combined machines for both machining and grinding.

The limits of “foot-in-the-machine” programming

In the first case, i.e., with a solution that combines machining and grinding, companies can adapt and create grinding programs for the machine.

The disadvantages of this approach are manifold:

• Lack of flexibility: unlike CAM, this programming does not allow machine simulation and collision checks.
• High cost: this type of programming requires the purchase of a grinding machine in addition to the machine tool, plus handling costs.
• Risk of inaccuracy: Moving parts from the machine tool to the grinding machine amplifies the risk of inaccuracy.
• Considerable programming time: programming machine tools and setting up grinding machines can be time-consuming for the teams in charge.

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CAD/CAM to optimize grinding on machine tools

Faced with these limitations, some manufacturers have developed combined machines which, thanks to CAD/CAM, allow:

• First, machine a part by milling and turning.
• Grind the same part in a second step.

The part does not need to be moved, as all handling is done on the same machine. This eliminates repositioning errors caused by moving the part from the machining center to the grinding machine and saves valuable handling time.

Point of attention: the need for a dedicated grinding CAD/CAM tool

For companies equipped with machines that combine machining and grinding, choosing the right CAD/CAM software is crucial. Only some CAD/CAM solutions contain dedicated grinding operations; some propose diverting machining operations into grinding operations. This is not a very relevant approach, as the method used to pilot a grinding wheel differs significantly from that used in milling or turning.

This type of solution offers no added value to the programmer, who is forced to manually adjust the ISO code to obtain the correct surface finish on the part. This is why companies are strongly advised to opt for a CAD/CAM tool that has specifically designed the grinding operation.

TopSolid’Cam: a software designed to optimize grinding on machine tools

TopSolid’Cam is a complete, high-performance CAD/CAM software package that supports and facilitates the design work of programmers thanks to:

• Easy and complete solution integration.
• Interoperability with all CAD software.
• A self-managed working environment.
• Production optimization thanks to a duplication process.
• Different simulation levels.
• Change management and tracking.
• An answer to a wide range of milling and machining needs.

More specifically, TopSolid’Cam’s “grinding on machining center” functionality enables customers equipped with machine tools to combine machining and grinding to optimize the management of this operation. Indeed, the solution offers the possibility of programming the grinding process directly from the software, even before the part is mounted on the machine. Designed explicitly for on-machine grinding, this functionality adapts to the characteristics of each operation and facilitates the programmer’s work.

Would you like to learn more about TopSolid’s machining center grinding functionality? Ask our team for a demonstration.