Engineering Tools

This module provides a master list of Parts, including all associated part data, such as Part Description, Part Type, and Revision. This modules also provides an easy-to-use mechanism to upload small digital photos of each part. The Part List also provides links to many other areas of the system, where applicable, such as Key Part Dates, Customer Part Numbers, APQP Checklist, Inventory, Shipment History, Problem History and so on.

A process routing is the series of steps required to manufacture or process a given part. This module defines those steps. Includes the Operation Number, Operation Name, Approved Workcenters and Suppliers, Crew Size, Weight, Container Type, and other key routing data.

This module defines the components that make up a part. Plex Online supports infinite levels of BOM. It provides indented BOM, exploded BOM, drilldown BOM, and a variety of other methods for visualizing and editing BOMs. Plex Online handles BOMs with just a few components, or many thousands.

This module is used to establish and maintain a detailed list of dimensions and characteristics on specific parts, including Dimension Name, Target Value and Tolerance.

Identifies and controls manufacturing processes where multiple different Parts are produced from a single Operation. This is a critical capability for stampers, multi-part die forgers, injection molders, and other manufacturing processes. Plex Online also supports a die cavity status which allows machines to run some of the cavities, but not all the cavities.

This module provides the ability to store and manage one or more Customer Part Numbers for each internal Part. Includes Revision Level, Revision Date, Customer Program, Estimated Annual Volume, and other pertinent data about each Customer Part No.

This module is used to tie together and manage a long manufacturing process that involves a complex interconnection of parts, routings, BOM and Multi-outs. For example, this will schedule the component parts of an assembly.

Plex provides a special feature within your CAD system to number and name each Dimension on the Part Drawing. Then, whenever the drawing is saved, it synchronizes the dimensions and their tolerances to the Part Specification List in Plex Online, which in turn drives the Control Plan, Checksheet, and data collection systems. The CAD Integration subsystem saves you from having to type dimensional data into Plex and adds a high-degree of advanced integration between Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing. Currently in use with AutoCAD 2004. Will also work with other CAD systems such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Unigraphics, Pro/Engineering, and so on.

The ECR module provides an online system for company personnel to submit change requests to engineering. The system tracks the ECR, manages the work flow, organizes and controls the drawings, and maintains on-going documentation of the change.

This module provides the Engineering Department a method for attaching CAD files and other important documents to Parts, Tools, Assemblies, and other key engineering records. Each drawing can be managed with a description, version, owner, format, electronic approvals, check in/out, and so on.

The Document Control module provides the ability to store, edit, track and view documents on line. Includes full electronic approval and revision tracking system ideal for ISO/TS 16949. Supports many file types, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, PDF, HTML, and more. This module is usually used to control the Quality Manual, Procedures and Work Instructions. It is also used for the Employee Handbook, Supplier Handbook, and Technical Documentation.

The Attachment system allows you to attach files to records in the database. File attachments are used for Employees, Equipment, Gages, Orders, Problem Records, Customers, and many other areas. Attachments can be in any file type, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and digital photographs.

The specification module is used for managing and tracking Specification Documents, such as Engineering Specifications (E.S.), Material Specifications, and other external standards documents.

This module provides a formal structure for storing Heat Treat parameters and settings for each Part.

The Option Configurator provides a user-definable wizard for selecting various product options to generate a custom Build. Often used in Quoting, Order Entry, and Job Shops. It's ideal for one-off jobs with complex options, such as building machinery.

This module provides a master list of Tempers, including Description. Tempers are integrated into the materials, inventory, parts, and other subsystems within Plex Online.

Plex can be configured to support custom, company-specific engineering data such as setup parameters, machine specifications, product dimensions, tolerances, process data and many other requirements.

This module is used to track and control Engineering Directives to the shop floor, when specifications and instructions have changed.

For use when discrete inventory items of a Part are not identical. Allows tracking of distinct piece weights, values, etc. within a given Part.

The Part Configurator provides a highly-sophisticated and customized interface for designing and creating new parts within the constraints of your product lines, processes and capabilities. This module is especially useful for fastener manufacturers/distributors, steel distributors, and other organizations that have families of similar, type-driven part characteristics: nuts, bolts, screws, steel bars, tooling, etc.

This module helps metalforming engineers design backward extrusions. Calculates pressures, forces, and extruded wall heights.

This module helps metalforming engineers design safe and viable forward extrusions. Calculates forming pressures and forces, and recommends chevron-free taper angles. Engineering based on Upper Bound Elemental Technique.

This module enables experienced tooling engineers at forging and stamping companies to optimize die designs for cylindrical, axially-symmetric dies that have been press fit together. This module applies to a classic three-piece assembly model (Die, Sleeve, Case) which goes through the following sequence: 1)Die is pressed into a sleeve 2)Die-Sleeve Cartridge is pressed into a case, and 3)Assembly is used in forming. It serves as both a design and training tool and facilitates quick 'what if' scenario-evaluation. The underlying theories rest on well-known mechanical engineering principles such as thick-walled cylinder analysis, Hooke's law, stress/strain, maximum-normal-stress theory, elastic/plastic failure behavior, ductile/brittle failure behavior and Mohr's theory.

Calculates mass and weight of various shapes and material types. Especially useful for generating quotes.

This module is used to define detailed chemical and physical specifications for materials, such as steel, aluminum and other metals. Includes user-definable specification templates. Provides capability to link multiple materials to a part, and multiple parts to a material.

The Failure Mode & Effects Analysis module provides the ability to create, edit and view QS-9000-compliant FMEA's on screen, including Design and Process FMEA's. FMEA's are developed at the beginning of the project to address the following questions: 'What can go wrong? What will happen if it does? What controls do we have in place to detect it if it does? How should we improve the part or process?' Some companies use 'Common FMEAs' that cover a whole range of processes in a generic fashion. Other companies establish one or more FMEA's for each part. FMEA's are a requirement of QS-9000.

The Control Plan module provides the ability to create, edit and view Control Plans and detailed Inspection Instructions on screen. Some companies create one or more "Common Control Plans" to cover a whole range of processes in a generic fashion. Other companies establish a detailed Control Plan, breaking down each dimensional Specification at each operation. Control Plans include the Sample Frequency, Gage, type of Control chart, and other quality-oriented data. Control Plans are a requirement of QS/ISO-9000. The Control Plan is highly integrated with the Part Specification system.

Powerful subsystem for authoring process instructions and checksheets. Fully integrated with and driven from the Control Plan system.

A module for tracking approved deviations from engineering dimensions/specifications during the manufacturing process.

The APQP overview module is used for coordinating all the various tasks by individual across checklists. APQP and Team Feasibility Checklists are a requirement of QS-9000.

This module provides capabilities for tracking and managing internal programs, product launches and major product revisions.

This module is used to establish a master list of tool numbers, and the pertinent data about each tool number, including Revision, Material, Supplier(s), Min Quantity, Order Quantity, and so on. The Master Tool List is the foundation of the overall tooling system. It also provides links into Tool Inventory, Tool Manufacturing, and the other tooling-related modules.

A List of the tools required to produce each production part at each operation and workcenter. Distinguishes machine-specific tools (adapters) from the tools used regardless of machine (forming tools). Provides the foundation for the Tool Sets module, which tracks the physical instances of each assembly. This module also provides the foundation for tool-staging reports, which compare available inventory to the tooling required to fulfill the production schedule.

This module is used to establish a master list of Workcenters or Machines within the company. Provides the foundation for Production Tracking, Scheduling and other modules.