In order to make it easier for employees from non-technical divisions to access 3D product data, the specialists at PROSTEP implemented a solution at Continental Automotive Systems that automatically converts models from the CATIA® computer-aided design (CAD) format into the lightweight Universal 3D (U3D) format. This 3D data is then published together with product data from Continental Automotive Systems' SAP PLM system as 3D PDF documents.
"We needed an efficient and automated way to make 3D data available to our employees in departments beyond engineering and, at the same time, we needed to simplify the filing of data in our SAP system," said Joachim Schemainda, head of the Central Standardization unit at Continental Automotive Systems. "The technology from Right Hemisphere offers us an efficient and cost-effective solution with which we can convert native, large-volume CAD data into predefined 3D PDF documents that each client computer in our network can deal with."
The 3D communication solution was implemented by PROSTEP AG, a company that has been working closely with Continental Automotive Systems for years on successful data integration and communication projects.
The Darmstadt integration specialists also handled the integration of the Right Hemisphere solution with the SAP PLM system at Continental Automotive Systems. This integration makes it possible to read metadata via XML from SAP and to merge it with lightweight U3D models in templates. The 3D PDF documents are then saved again into the SAP PLM system so that employees can open and view the documents using Adobe® Reader® software.
"Like many other automotive suppliers, Continental Automotive Systems is faced with multiple challenges including growing product complexity, increasing volumes of non-uniform 3D CAD data and the need to provide easy access to that data in order for employees to efficiently collaborate with their counterparts in development, production, operations and maintenance," explained Michael Lynch, CEO of Right Hemisphere. "Right Hemisphere's solutions completely automate the processing, merging and preparation of native CAD data into 3D PDF documents. These capabilities save our customers from repeated entry of this information and help them to get the most out of their intellectual property."
About PROSTEP AG
PROSTEP AG is a renowned integration specialist in the field of product data integration. The company offers its customers -- among them leading multinational companies -- the integration of CAD, PDM and supplier communication in order to allow for e-engineering to become reality. The PROSTEP group currently employs more than 260 workers in Germany, France and the U.S. Their turnover for 2006 was about 21.7 million. In addition to the company headquarters in Darmstadt, PROSTEP has branch offices in Berlin, Bexbach, Hamburg, Hannover, Lyon, Munich, Stuttgart, Troy (Michigan), Wolfsburg and Wuppertal.
About Right Hemisphere
Right Hemisphere is the leading provider of enterprise visual product communication and collaboration solutions enabling manufacturers to optimize their global product development, launch, and support processes. Organizations have invested in operational processes and IT systems to improve product lifecycle efficiencies, yet delivery of precise and up-to-date product information to the extended enterprise in a timely, efficient and usable form is difficult today. Right Hemisphere maximizes knowledge transfer efficiency of product information to downstream stakeholders by automatically publishing product information readily available in CAD, PLM, and ERP systems into common document formats and business applications. Over 500 innovative manufacturers, including five of the top six automotive OEMs and nine of the top 10 U.S. aerospace and defense contractors rely on Right Hemisphere to dramatically accelerate time to market, increase product and services revenues, and lower product communications costs. Founded in 1997, Right Hemisphere is a privately held, venture-funded corporation based in Silicon Valley and Auckland, New Zealand. For more information please visit www.righthemisphere.com.
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Media Contacts: Susan Austin Right Hemisphere +1-408-266-2322 Email Contact Joachim Christ PROSTEP AG +49 6151 9287 360 Email Contact