• Author: admin

    Civil 3D: 2023.2 Update

    Posted on by admin

    Autodesk has released the next update for Civil 3D 2023.  Find the release notes here. Install it from the Desktop App or download it from https://manage.autodesk.com

    In this blogger’s opinion, this is one of the most complete mid-cycle updates in recent memory. Here are some highlights:

    Performance

    Always welcome!

    • Up to 60% Improvement
      During various operations including switching between drawings, corridor rebuild, and editing pipe networks.

    Labels

    Labels, especially when many exist in a Civil 3D drawing, can affect performance. All these settings are designed to boost performance.

    • Toggle labels on or off in Paper Space or Model Space
      If you don’t need to see labels right now, turn them off with a new setting.
    • Level of Detail on or off
      As you zoom out, labels will disappear.
    • Redraw options
      Choose when and how labels are redrawn.

    Corridors

    Users have been asking for this one for quite a while.

    • Transitions
      Use a tabular interface to define how subassemblies’ parameters transition between stations. For example, the daylight slope can be 2:1 at 0+000, transitioning to 4:1 at 0+050. Bus bays, or any lane widening can be defined this way. We are no longer limited to using polylines or alignments as width targets.

    Profile Views

    Display additional information about objects and their proximity to a parent alignment.

    • Point Proximity Band
      Show the distance between points and the alignment, and labels distances within the alert distance in red:
    • Alignment Proximity Band
      Show the distance between an alignment and the parent alignment and use ticks to show alignment segments within the alert distance:

    Subassembly Composer

    If you create your own subassemblies, these new features will benefit your productivity and help to reduce errors.

    • Point, Link, and Shape codes
      Define these codes in a dialog and apply them when and where needed.

    • Find and Replace
      Find and replace values almost anywhere in your code.

    • Dynamic Updates
      Change the source definition, and automatically update the instances.

    Pressure Networks

    Since Pipe runs, we continue to get useful features in this area.

    • Connect to Structures
      Pressure pipes can now be connect to pipe network structures and labeled.

    • Appurtenances Don’t Move
      These objects had the nasty habit of moving when the pipe run was edited. This is no longer the case.

    Rail

    These updates bring Civil 3D’s rail tool more in line with U.S. standards..

    • Turnout Blocks
      Turnout symbols can now be inserted perpendicular to the parent alignments.
    • Turnout Abbreviations
      Updated the abbreviation of critical points in the US turnout catalog in line with US regulations.

    Project Explorer

    Improve your reporting.

    • Property Set Objects
      Added support for reviewing property sets in the Project Explorer window.
    • Property Set Review
      Added support for including property sets in object sets, reports, AutoCAD tables, and spreadsheets.
    • Property Set Values
      You can determine the order and visibility of the value, description, and property names. Property set values can be edited.

    Grading Optimization

    Improve your preliminary grading.

    • Pathways
      Objects that represent sidewalks, driveways, and other ingress and egress paths.
    • Ridge Lines
      Objects that represent a linear elevation that directs drainage away from its placement.
    • Isolate Internal Zone Drainage
      You can now isolate drainage objects (drain lines, low points, and ridge lines) within a zone from affecting optimization outside of the zone boundaries.

    AEC: How to Save Time and Money from Operation Managment?

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    Reducing 31200 hours of work annul= $1,872,000 CAD Saving

    Remember when the architect sent over a change last week, what was the dimension we had to move that door by? You search through your notes and emails for several minutes before finding the conversation from last week that she’s referring to.

    How much of an effect does this drag on productivity have on your day?   In a 15-person office, each person can spend up to two hours a day searching for data-that’s $200,000 per year wasted!

    Let us do a rough calculation here:

    120 minutes X 300 employees =36,000 minutes

    2400 minutes / 60 mins = 600 hours wasted each week

    600 hours X 52 weeks = 31200 hours

    31200 hours per year X $60 employment hourly rate =$1,872,000 CAD

    $1,872,000 CAD/ a year of operation is wasted with unproductive work process.

    SolidCAD has many successful cases in thriving BIM implementation in various cases. We have a great team of experts supporting individuals and organizations in terms of BIM training and helping them to set up a strong foundation project to reach independence.

    Please feel free to reach out to me at shirley.sio@solidcad.ca for more information.

    #BIMadoption #SolidCAD #AECindustry #Digitaltwin #digitaltransformation #BIMmandate  #AECoperationcost #AECmanagement

    INTRODUCING MERIDIAN 2022

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    INTRODUCING MERIDIAN 2022

    MAJOR ENHANCEMENTS

    1. Installation Package provides New PowerWeb IIS Application
    2. Meridian E-Mail Manager Retired
    3. The Default Store Table Data Provider is now Microsoft Access
    4. Customizable PowerWeb JavaScript Modules
    5. Meridian Cloud Rendering Profiles

    MERIDIAN ENTERPRISE SERVER
    What is Meridian Enterprise Server?
    Meridian Enterprise Server is the core product in the Meridian Enterprise product suite. It provides centralized, scalable, web services and administration for use with Meridian Enterprise, Accruent Project Portal, and other business systems. Besides the shared services, Meridian Enterprise Server includes the latest generation of Publisher and Meridian Explorer technology.

    MERIDIAN POWERWEB
    What is PowerWeb?
    Meridian PowerWeb is a web application designed to create, modify, documents and data stored in Meridian. Power users include Engineering Managers, Project Managers, Engineers, Drafting Technicians and Document Management. PowerWeb implements your company’s document and data lifecycle business rules, including automatic document naming, document filing, managing complex AutoCAD and other native reference files including exchanging AutoCAD data with Office files, and other applications.
    PowerWeb is broken into several sub-sections

     

    CONCEPT FUNCTION
    APPLICATION INTEGRATION Application Integration: is provided by the Meridian Cloud Connector. The Meridian Cloud Connector can be downloaded and installed from the home page of the Meridian Cloud tenant. The Meridian Cloud Connector installs Site Cache with Local Workspace and provides application integration with MS Office, AutoCAD, and MicroStation applications.
    DOCUMENTS Documents: in a Meridian Enterprise vault are like files in a file system. They are in folders where you can copy, rename, move, and delete them. However, vault documents differ from files in a file system.

     

    The fundamental difference between vault documents and ordinary files is that Meridian Enterprise distinguishes between a document and its contents. A document’s contents may be regarded as the file to which you are accustomed. Meridian Enterprise considers a document to be the file and its container (metadata properties). In Meridian, a document can exist without contents (for example, to represent a hard copy-only document), but contents cannot exist without a container.
    EDM PRINCIPLES Engineering data management (EDM): A generic term for a wide variety of functions. In general, it is the process of managing engineering documents throughout their life cycle, from inception through creation, review, storage, and distribution all the way to archiving or destruction. Depending on specific requirements, document management is different for every customer.
    HISTORY History: The Meridian history feature maintains all changes to vault data over time, including revisions to documents. History is enabled or cleared for each vault by a System Administrator.

     

    The last released revision of a document is always the default one shown in a vault. However, by using the Show Revisions command, you can see all previous revisions and their effective dates
    INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC Industry Specific: Certain industries present unique challenges in document management. When configuring Meridian Enterprise for these industries, consideration must be given to document workflow, revision control, and project workflow.
    NAVIGATION VIEWS Navigation Views: Navigation views are different ways of viewing a vault for different purposes. Each view displays documents organized in a hierarchical tree structure like Windows Explorer, like the following figure. The tree structure is determined by a predefined set of properties. You can use Navigation views to find and select documents according to the property values of the documents. Navigation views help you to find documents based on whatever information you know about the documents that you want to find.
    PROJECT WORKFLOW Project Workflow: The project workflow is a simple two-step workflow that defines the current state of the project. There are only two states available in a project workflow: Open and Closed.
    SCOPES Scopes: Meridian manages a wide variety of documents and the information about them. Scopes are a way of limiting vault functionality and information to named sets that are easier to understand and use. You may select a scope that more closely meets your needs without experiencing information overload.

     

    A scope is used to control the visibility of commands, views, and documents in PowerWeb. By default, PowerWeb provides the following built-in scopes that each correspond to a branch in the vault structure.
    SEARCH Search: It can find either documents or folders. It gives you complete flexibility of the search scope, properties, and conditions. Find can include referenced documents in its results and its results can be saved and shared with other users.
    VAULTS Vaults: A vault is a combination of a Meridian database and a document store. It contains all the documents you place in the vault, the data about those documents, all revisions of those documents made in the vault, and redline data for the documents. If some of your documents use references to other documents, such as with CAD files, then those references between documents will automatically be managed by Meridian. This means that you can move files between folders within the Meridian vault (such as from one project to another), and the references will not be lost, because they are managed by Meridian.

    MERIDIAN EXPLORER

    What is Explorer Classic?

    Meridian Explorer provides an innovative way to browse and search for documents and tags stored in one or more vaults. The main benefits of Meridian Explorer are its powerful search, ease of use, extensive configurability, and scalability. You can easily navigate your way to the document you need and view its information with just a few mouse clicks.

    Meridian Explorer provides you with text search capability on both custom metadata properties and document text content. You can also find documents by navigating a folder tree. Best of all, you can search a repository interactively by selecting from specific property values found in the current search results. With this method, you can quickly narrow your search from potentially hundreds of thousands of documents to just the documents you are interested in. Search results are presented in tabular format or as easily recognizable thumbnail images.

    The Meridian Explorer Key Features Include:

    • Incremental synchronization of data, documents or assets and their related metadata from one or more Meridian Enterprise vaults to a Meridian Explorer consolidated repository.
    • Zero install, web browser-based read-only client. Management of change and engineering change requests.
    • Electronic redlines are available to be sent to vaults configured with the Meridian Asset Management Module.
    • Support for server-based viewing.
    • Configurable property pages, search pages, and views.

    What is Cloud Explorer?

    Cloud Explorer is a web application for searching and retrieving engineering information.

    Target users include Maintenance Managers, Planners, Engineers, Operations Managers, and Operators.

     

    Cloud Explorer allows you to easily locate data, documents or assets and see their related references within your browser. By default, when the Explorer is opened the Explorer Landing Page allows you to view all the data, documents, or assets in the repository, depending on which view is active, Documents or Assets.

    If Explorer was opened by another application such a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), you might be viewing only the items in the repository that are related to a document or asset in the other application.

    Only documents in the Master or Documentation scopes of a repository are available in Explorer. Data, Documents or Assets in a project or that are archived are not available to you. Filters are implemented to view the items that meet your required criteria.

    CONCEPT FUNCTION
    ASSETS Assets: By default, when Explorer is opened from the landing page, you can see all the assets in the repository, depending on which view is active, Assets. If Explorer was opened by another application such a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), you might be viewing only the items in the repository that are related to an asset in the other application.
    DOCUMENTS Documents: Cloud Explorer lets you easily find documents and see their related counterparts right in your browser. By default, when you first open Explorer from the landing page, you can see all the documents in the repository, depending on which view is active, Documents. If Explorer was opened by another application such a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), you might be viewing only the items in the repository that are related to a document in the other application. Only documents in the Masters or Documentation scopes of a repository are available to you in Explorer. Documents in a project or that are archived are not available to you. You can use filters to see only the items that meet criteria that you determine.
    INTERGRATION URLS Create Integration URLs: You can create dynamic URLs that link users to their asset documents in Explorer. This functionality is typically used with our integrations with CMMS- or GIS-type applications like Maintenance Connection, Maximo, or SAP.
    SAVED SEARCHES Saved Searches: Saving a search stores your search filters so that you can return to the same list of items later. Saved searches, you can:

    §  Overwrite an existing saved search with a new result set,

    §  Revise the filters and save the new criteria,

    §  Share a saved search with another person,

    §  Delete a saved search you no longer need
     SIGN-IN Meridian Cloud Sign: Allows you to sign in with either your Google, Microsoft Windows Live, or Azure AD account. You must have an account with one of these services to use Meridian Cloud. Additionally, if your System Administrator has enabled SAML, you can sign in using a SAML Identity Provider. The email address that you use to sign in can be different than the one which was used to invite you.

     

    MERIDIAN PORTAL

     

    What is Meridian Portal?

    Meridian Portal is a web application designed to allow Project Documents, Data and Asset Collaboration. Users include Document Management, External Contractors, Regulatory Organizations, and other External End Users.

    Meridian Portal provides a Personal Dashboard with Project Document, Data and Asset status reports and packages workflow progress. Meridian Portal contains a central repository for Project Documents, Data and Asset with text search and dynamic filtering to allow users to quickly find what they require. Specific document detail views can be implemented for internal and external use.

    The Meridian Portal Key Features of Include:

    • Internal and external collaboration in a secure cloud-based project portal
    • Easy-to-use task-based user interface
    • Formal and informal work packages information exchange
    • Collaborative document review and approval processes
    • Automated document compliance and completeness checks
    • Full audit and history log on actions performed by internal and external participants

     

     

    CONCEPT FUNCTION
    AUDIT TRAIL Audit Trail: Meridian Cloud keeps track of almost every activity in the system. Administrators can trace user authentication, access logs, project activities, and even electronic signatures, which are critical for the life sciences industry.
    CLIPBOARD Set Under Change: When a package is received and accepted from a contractor, small modifications on the received documents may be necessary. To support this the documents can be assigned to an internal member.
    DASHBOARDS The Dashboards: Give you valuable insights to your projects, packages, and documents in one place. With them, you can view a variety of metrics and filter the results by project names and dates. If desired, you can export the data in spreadsheet formats for further analysis.
    DOCUMENTS Documents in Portal: Documents are combinations of files managed by Meridian users via one or more workflows. Documents are composed of three “parts”: The source file, the rendition (which can be generated in the system), and the document metadata. Document metadata consists of document properties, used to capture information to describe the document details. As documents are revised, Portal tracks the changes to the document and records these changes as are saved as revisions in the document’s history.
    PACKAGES Packages: Meridian Cloud packages contain documents for the exclusive use of the project members to which the packages are issued. Packages can be used as submittals and transmittals between project teams. A transmittal sheet (Microsoft Excel workbook) is included for package content verification. Packages are also used to exchange documents between Meridian Cloud and Meridian Enterprise. Project members can download documents from packages. Meridian Cloud assigns a status to each package for each step in its life cycle to make finding, tracking, and processing packages easier.
    PROJECTS Projects: The primary workspaces in Meridian Portal. After you create projects, you can invite others to join the projects via email. Meridian Portal uses containers called packages within projects to assign sets of documents to other project members for action. After the recipients accept their project invitations, they can work with the packages that are assigned to them. They can also upload documents of their own to packages in the projects.

    Projects in Meridian Portal can be linked to projects in PowerWeb at the project-level.
    QUICK SHARES Quick Shares: Quick Share is a temporary package that you can create to share documents with other project members securely. Quick Shares expire after 30 days and then are deleted automatically. They are not otherwise tracked by Meridian Portal, so you should use them only for informally sharing documents, not as official transmittals.

     

    To learn more about how Meridian 2022 and the CMMS solution can help your team, don’t hesitate to contact the SolidCAD Meridian Team.

     

     

     

     

    Civil 3D: Recreate your Template

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    Recreating a Civil 3D template from scratch is not something we look forward to, but it may be necessary at times. Read on to find out more.

    You may ask why one would need to do this. Some users will do this when they upgrade to a new Civil 3D release. I have not seen any evidence that would convince me to do this. The only time I would recreate a template is if there is a serious problem that can’t be fixed without it. The recover command does a very good job at removing anomalies that may arise between Civil 3D releases.

    So, you’ve decided to do it. What to do? There may be further steps that what you see below, but these will go a long way to making this arduous task a little more pleasant. The workflow below assumes that your original template is not completely pooched and can be successfully inserted into your new file.

    1. Open problem template:

      • Export system variables to a file.            

     

      • Note the assigned coordinate system in Civil 3D Settings, Files tab.   

     

      • Use this CTC tool to export the Civil 3D Object Layers to a file. It is found in the CIM Manager Suite.
        Civil 3D’s Import Styles and Settings tool does a poor job of restoring these. If you don’t own CTC tools, enter Civil 3D Settings and note all the object layer settings so they can be restored in the new file.

         

     

      • Export any Layer Filters. If you’re using Civil 3D, this is easy.
      • Export any Layer States.
      • Export any Property Sets (if you are using Civil 3D).

    2. Begin a new blank drawing using the acad,dwt or dwt files, and save the drawing.

    3. Import system variables from the file you saved earlier. There are many settings saved in a DWG that must be restored.
     

    4. Import the Layer Filters.

    5. Import the Layer States.

    6. Import the Property Sets and check any label styles where they are referenced to ensure they operate properly.

    7. Insert problem file and explode. Purge anomalous blocks if necessary.

    • This step will insert most of the styles and any pre-configured objects like Point Grous, Surfaces, Pipe and Pressure Networks.
    • If the original file is too far gone, skip this step. You will need to recreate any pre-configured Prospector objects.

    8. Set the coordinate system if there was one set in the original template.

    9. Import styles and settings from problem file.
    If you skipped step 4, note that this command DOES NOT import everything. See this document for more information. These may need to be dragged and dropped form the original or recreated. 

    10. In the Prospector, inspect the names of any pre-configured objects and adjust if necessary.

    11. Use this CTC tool to import object layers from the file you exported previously.

    • Restore them manually if you do not own CTC Tools.

    12. Import paper space layouts from problem file.

    13. Close the new file and run the RECOVER file to open it and check for problems.

    14. Recreate the Scale List.

    • This can be easily done by creating some text in the original file and assigning all the scales to it. Copy this text and paste it into the new file then delete the text. New scales will now be available.

    15. Test, test, test. To make sure everything works as it should.

    16. Of course, make a backup of the original file and SAVE the new file with the original name.

    The Challenges in the MEP Industries

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    Pain Point:

    Disconnected Workflows: separate tolls being used by project stakeholders and disconnected workflows internally with firms result in the costly duplication of effort and increase work time.

    The inability to engage in influence early: This adds risk to securing procurement paths and is made even more difficult with those disconnected workflows and disparate solutions.

    Fast-tracked project schedule: Meeting tight deadlines are tough enough with managing and coordinating materials and labour, but it is even more difficult if there is miscommunication and design intent.

    A small talent pool: Difficult to hire and retain talent. It is also a problem that older specialists are retiring from the industry and taking their experience with them

    SolidCAD has many successful cases in thriving BIM implementation in various cases. We have a great team of experts supporting individuals and organizations in terms of BIM training and helping them to set up a strong foundation project to reach independence.

    Feel free to contact us for more information.

    #SolidCAD #Digital Collaboration # Increasing BIM Mandates, #Technology Proliferation #Industrialization of Construction #Digital Transformation

    Civil 3D: Profile Grade Intersections

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    The goal in this example is to design the profile where each grade is an even number.  It’s not as obvious as you might think.  Thanks to my colleagues Dave Hill and Jae Kwon for pointing out the proper tool.

    Read on to learn more…

    Begin by modeling the first 2 segments.  I’ll assume you know the best tools for this, but I’ll give you a hint.  Use the Grid View; it’s your friend here.

                 

    To model the last 5% grade is not entirely obvious.  Yes, a 5% tangent can be drawn from the end of the 1% grade, but it doesn’t end in the right place.

    We sort of want to draw backwards from the end of the red profile then extend the 1% grade.

    Use this tool and follow the prompts.  First select the 1% grade, then pick Station and Elevation and the tie-in point.  Then enter the grade, in this case -5% (the grade from the intersected PVI).

               

    C’est voilà!

    Why BIM in MEP?

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    Why BIM in MEP?

    75% of a project’s operational costs in the first 10 years are MEP related. Implementing BIM solution can demonstrate a savings of just 8 minutes per employee each week, and a reduction in change order on every projects – Autodesk

    Let us do a rough calculation at the operational cost that is wasted:

    8 minutes X 300 employees =2400 minutes

    2400 minutes / 60 mins = 40 hours wasted each week

    40 hours X 52 weeks = 2080 hours

    2080 hours per year X $100 employment hourly rate =$208,000 CAD

    Therefore, $208,000 CAD is wasted a year with unproductive operation cost.

    To have the ability to utilize the best from BIM helps you to save cost and to improve your productivity.

    If you want to understand and learn more about BIM Implementation and approach, we have a great team of experts supporting individuals and organizations in terms of BIM training and helping them to set up a strong foundation project to reach independence. SolidCAD has many successful cases in thriving BIM implementation in various cases.

    Please feel free to reach out to me at shirley.sio@solidcad.ca for more information.

    # WhatisBIM #BIMadoption #SolidCAD #AECindustry #Digitaltwin #digitaltransformation #BIMmandate

    What is BIM? Why BIM Adoption?

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    In 2020, the research finding from the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries in Canada state that:

    • 94% acknowledge that BIM is the future of project information and design practices
    • 90% of participant organizations already experienced a certain level of BIM implementation in their current operation
    • 80% of participants shared their BIM files with at least one external organization
    • Near half of these participants encountered interoperability obstacles in their projects    – AECO Lab Innovation
    • 55% of participants identified BIM helps to reduce their production costs by up to 50%  National Research Council Canada
    • 58% of expert users agree BIM reduce their production time to 50%
    • 87% of participants experienced positive ROI
    • 93% of users believe there is potential gain and increase value from it in the future  -National Research Council Canada

    A number of government projects in Canada are requiring BIM data for the last 5 years. It is a new trend for the Land developers and AEC industries to adapt the BIM technology to different stakeholders’ aspects.

    If you want to understand and learn more about BIM Implementation and approach, we have a great team of experts supporting individuals and organizations in terms of BIM training and helping them to set up a strong foundation project to reach independence. SolidCAD has many successful cases in thriving BIM implementation in various cases.

    Please feel free to reach out to me at shirley.sio@solidcad.ca for more information.

    # WhatisBIM #BIMadoption #SolidCAD #AECindustry #Digitaltwin #digitaltransformation #BIMmandate #

    Civil 3D: Scary Halloween Tidbit

    Posted on by admin

    Many AutoCAD users know about the OVERKILL command, which is used to delete duplicate objects. There are settings which define what exactly constitutes a duplicate object. Same geometry, layer, colour, etc.

    Many Civil 3D users configure pipe networks in their templates, so users need not create them on the fly when it’s time.

    Here is the scary bit. Please, DO NOT use the overkill command when there are empty pipe networks in a drawing. If you do, your pipe networks will be…

    Seriously, they will be deleted unceremoniously. Don’t do this!

    4 Ways Automotive Manufacturers Can Improve Processes with a CMMS

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    The frequency of recalls in recent years has contributed to a significant, yet unnecessary expense for automotive manufacturers. U.S. vehicle recalls hit an all-time high this decade, reaching a record of 51.2 million vehicles over 868 separate recalls.

    As automakers strive to develop cleaner, safer, smarter and more energy-efficient vehicles, manufacturers need visibility into the supply chain and production process. To mitigate risk, automotive manufacturers turn to computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) to streamline operations and improve internal communications.

    Below, learn four ways a CMMS benefits automotive manufacturers through work order tracking, automated reporting and preventive maintenance.

    1. Streamline operations with work order tracking

    A major pain point for automotive manufacturers is inefficiencies in the supply chain. In the automotive industry, time is money, and overcoming the risk of costly asset downtime is critical.

    To streamline operations, automotive manufacturers rely on a CMMS to track work order status. With a global supply chain, it becomes increasingly difficult for manufacturers to oversee operations and maintain safe, efficient environments across plants. Plus, with work orders piling up for thousands of assets across multiple locations, the maintenance team may have delayed response times and increased downtime without a properly tracked maintenance strategy.

    Utilizing a CMMS helps manufacturers communicate with operators, inspectors, suppliers and the maintenance team fulfilling the requests both within the facility and offsite.

    Plus, maintenance technicians on the floor are able to update work order processes with a CMMS to keep documentations robust and detailed. And, this gives the manufacturer a clear view into when an asset will be up and running again to continue on production schedules.

    2. Leverage key metrics for data-driven insights

    A single car has about 30,000 parts. With that type of volume, error is possible throughout the production process. To improve effective production, automotive manufacturers utilize a CMMS to organize assets and benchmark performance across all locations.

    Beyond that, a CMMS functions as a maintenance database to improve company-wide visibility. Through auto-generated email reports, the entire team is able to spot key performance trends and make profit-conscious decisions. As a result, the maintenance team is able to report on top-performing machines, technician efficiency or assets that may need replaced based on CMMS data.

     

    3. Demonstrate compliance with a maintenance database

    Given that the automotive industry is a global manufacturing sector with several tiers of suppliers, there are strict guidelines and regulations that must be followed when producing vehicles.

    With a CMMS, automotive manufacturers are able to prove compliance with environmental, safety and import regulations and standards, such as IATF 16949:2016. This standard is an ISO technical specification aimed at the development of a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste in the automotive industry.

    A CMMS serves as an internal database for maintenance teams to protect assets while meeting outside regulations. Beyond that, a CMMS generates preventive maintenance schedules to improve the uptime, performance, efficiency and longevity of assets.

     

    4. Prevent asset breakdowns before they happen

    Downtime seriously affects the automotive industry, as it increases technician overtime, escalates budgets, causes emergency inventory orders and reduces the lifespan of equipment. However, according to Reliable Plant, automotive manufacturers spend nearly 90% of their time on emergency breakdown repairs.

    With a preventive maintenance (PM) schedule, manufacturers are able to plan for maintenance as needed, improving internal communications and operations. Servicing equipment on a predetermined schedule allows the maintenance team to prevent downtime from occurring. Not only does this enhance the lifespan of regularly used equipment, but it also leads to less replacement costs.

    A PM schedule also reduces the number of emergency work orders. As a result, this lowers technician overtime and overall maintenance costs. Routine maintenance lessens large-scale repairs, which improves the safety and quality of conditions for everyone involved in the manufacturing process.

    To learn more about Meridian solutions (EDMS and CMMS) and how they can help your team, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the SolidCAD Meridian team.