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Modernization of the product development process

For more than 10 years, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling (formerly CoCreate Modeling) and the associated Model Manager data management system had been a fixture in the product development process at Wippermann. In the course of modernizing this process, the company made the strategic decision to use the modern PLM platform Windchill to manage all process data and information involved in the product lifecycle. 

To develop parametric or associative models for customers and for inheritance-based manufacturing, Wippermann now relies on the powerful modeling software Creo Parametric. 

The aim of this choice was to enable simplified product development processes, order processing, and centralized information by means of a customized migration strategy. 

The project with MAIT was based on many years of successful collaboration and expert knowledge of the systems used at Wippermann. 
From Wippermann jr. GmbH's point of view, the data transfer options in Creo Parametric and their integration into the Windchill PDMLink database were the main arguments in favor of this solution. In addition, the numerous data preparation options already included in the standard version, such as useful reports, automated data generation or the consumption of data for non-CAD users via a browser interface, also proved convincing. 

Another decisive factor was that using Creo Parametric reduced sources of error in developing the range of chain products. A further goal was to ensure quick and easy configuration of orders. This was achieved through parameter-controlled order processing using Creo. 

In this context, Windchill PDMLink serves as an interdisciplinary platform for all the people, processes, and product data involved. As a result, collaboration throughout the entire handling process has been greatly improved, as all parties involved in the process now have access to all information in real time. Once the orders have been approved, all manufacturing data are generated in an automated process and can be called up in Windchill and Creo View. This means that 3D models and drawings can be digitally visualized quickly and easily, even for non-design users. 

Installation and customized configuration of Creo and Windchill was implemented as part of a fixed-price project in collaboration with MAIT. An important step in the harmonization of the system landscape was migrating the master and product data and creating the master data in Windchill. 

Thanks to the MAIT team's many years of experience gained from a large number of successfully completed migration projects, the methods and processes were optimally developed, resulting not only in the success but also the punctual completion of the roll-out project at Wippermann. 

Expert planning and project implementation

Besides close collaboration between the MAIT and Wippermann project teams, structured and results-oriented project planning also contributed to the successful completion of the project. 

The comprehensive service package, which also included user training and general support during the roll-out phase, combined with reliability and customer proximity, convinced not only the key users but also the management. 

Under the terms of a conventional service contract, MAIT is responsible for maintaining the productive system environment.