Hexagon’s approach is to create a Smart Digital Reality
Published on : Tuesday 03-01-2023
Dr Vikramsinh Desai, National Sales Head – Production Software, India & SAARC, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Division.
How prepared is the Indian manufacturing ecosystem to accept digital technologies in the industry 4.0 era?
According to Nasscom, Industry 4.0 is at an inflection point in Indian manufacturing, with more than two-thirds of Indian manufacturers embracing the digital transformation by 2025. Indian manufacturing has started pivoting to digitalisation, with $5.5-$6.5 bn being spent on Industry 4.0 in FY21.
The Covid-19 outbreak created an unprecedented situation that is extraordinary in terms of the scale as well as the breadth of its impact globally. Given that we all had to work from home during the months of lockdown, digital tools such as remote monitoring and control become more important than ever. According to a study by McKinsey, the average share of digital customer interactions in the Asia Pacific region itself grew from 22% to 53% from 2019 to 2020.
As people come to realise the immense potential of digital technologies in industries such as manufacturing, the pace of adoption is only set to grow. The global smart manufacturing market was valued at USD 88.7 bn in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 228.2 bn by 2027. The demand for digital twins, as a means of connecting information about a physical product and its behavior in the real world with a 3D digital representation, is growing steadily too. The market for enabling technologies for digital twins is expected to grow at a CAGR of 68.9% from 2022 to 2027, reaching USD 43,614.8 mn by 2027.
What are the advantages of using Hexagon CAD/CAM software solutions?
Hexagon’s CAD CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software portfolio enables manufacturers to generate, manage and optimise Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining toolpaths for more efficient production processes.
Working in 3D CAD software enables engineers to automate elements of the design process and more accurately model and visualise designs, and to test them via simulation in computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. However, CAD software itself does not necessarily ensure the part design is manufacturable and can be produced at the correct quality.
Hexagon’s dedicated CAD for CAM solutions are designed to create a seamless workflow from 3D modelling to production. Powerful computer aided design capabilities allow designers and engineers the freedom to explore multiple designs and optimise the best candidates before exporting directly to the CAM software for manufacturing.
How does the company harness data from the various manufacturing processes to make them smarter and efficient?
Hexagon’s manufacturing technology solutions create a digital thread throughout all manufacturing processes that provide insights to help the user continuously improve time-to-market, quality and productivity, enabling the entire ecosystem to connect, analyse, learn and improve over time. Hexagon’s approach can help:
1. Unlock value from data that gets collected by default but does not get used — every factory generates a vast amount of data throughout the entire manufacturing process. Hexagon digitalises the manufacturing ecosystem, putting this data to work to connect entire workflows and build autonomy and intelligence into every process.
2. Change incrementally, improve exponentially — Hexagon recognises that digital transformation is a process and not a single act. Even incremental steps in digitalisation can vastly improve quality while reducing costs and waste.
3. Create a Smart Digital Reality — Hexagon’s approach is to create a Smart Digital Reality — a living digital twin of the manufacturing process, so the entire product lifecycle can be simulated, visualised and optimised in real time.
What constraints are the users facing in adoption despite the clear advantages of CAD/CAM software in the manufacturing domain?
Digital transformation across industries is the strategic integration of digital technologies across businesses to have an efficient and effective impact on our daily lives. Thus, for the manufacturing industry it is a wholesome combination of replacing legacy systems or obsolete assets and combining traditional manufacturing equipment with modern systems that would improve flexibility and deliver real-time solutions.
In such a scenario accepting and integrating CAD-CAM solutions may prove challenging for businesses because it will lead to a high purchasing cost and operating cost through identified professionals. Such software needs professionals not only to use or implement it, but also need regular updating of software or operating systems. Also, compatibility of systems with no power breakdown is an important parameter to implement CAD/CAM systems.
Can you throw some more light on the production software portfolio offered by Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence? And how can the machine tool industry benefit from these?
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence supports the design and engineering phase of the manufacturing process by providing software solutions that enable designers, engineers and analysts to embed quality into product design, ensuring manufacturability and productivity downstream. Our simulation software lets users quickly explore many different scenarios to find the best design, without making expensive and time-consuming physical prototypes.
Hexagon’s computer-aided engineering (CAE) software range encompasses simulation for materials, products and process performance. With solutions for finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multi-body dynamics (MBD), as well as cost estimation and design optimisation, we help designers, engineers and analysts to share responsibility for product quality and collaborate with colleagues throughout the manufacturing process to make improvements. Our technologies are trusted by users around the world as they design, optimise and validate the products people use every day.
For example, the ESPRIT CAM System, its flagship solution, is the smart manufacturing solution for any machining application. Supporting any class of CNC machine via a common interface and workflow, it provides high-performance CNC machine programming, optimisation, and simulation for a broad range of precision manufacturing applications.
Well known for its machine-optimised, edit-free G-code (toolpath), ESPRIT leverages a digital twin simulation platform to model the finished part, tools, and CNC machine. AI-based algorithms eliminate manual data input and provide machine operators with greater assurance of what will happen on the shop floor. The result – simplified programming, increased tool life and utilisation, reduced cycle times and improved productivity.
IMTEX is a mega event for the Indian manufacturing industry. What are your expectations from the coming edition and any key message to the industry?
IMTEX/Tooltech is a premier event showcasing machine tool accessories, metrology and CAD/CAM cutting tools, tooling systems and current trends in the tooling industry. Hexagon is looking forward to presenting its technologies and also understanding specific needs of potential customers. We feel that creating awareness and answering the queries of the companies visiting our stall is an important step of advancing towards Industry 4.0 before enterprises can procure technologies that go beyond Industry 4.0. Technology is a constant change and IMTEX is a great platform to showcase the next changes.