Robots in the manufacturing arena have been
with us since the late 1950s. One of the key applications of a robot is to
automate repeatable activities, in a consistent, controlled, safe manner. Quite
often these tasks are mundane or deemed unsafe for humans to perform.
In recent times that same automation has
been applied to virtual robots performing software functions. We have bots that
index the Internet, customer service bots, Autodesk
AVA for example, and also more malicious bots such as spam generators and
password crackers.
In Inventor, we have our own bot, iLogic,
which, with a little configuration and instruction, can be used to do our
bidding, taking away the mundane tasks and allowing us to focus on tasks and developing
products that make better use of our skills and intelligence.
So, what exactly can we use iLogic for? This blog we will give you a brief overview of the different aspects we can automate
and control.
Process automation and design control
In iLogic our instructions take the form of
rules. iLogic rules can be specific to models, or they can be external rules
which can be applied to any Inventor file. Our internal model-specific rules
will trigger automatically when related parameter changes. We can also
trigger rules, including external rules, by intercepting other events such as
opening and saving files.
We can easily break down our rules to those
that relate to processing automation rules, normally external rules, and design
automation rules, internal and specific to the design model.
Process automation includes automating the
production of documents and data for downstream processes or importing
information from upstream. For example, if every sheet metal part requires a
flat pattern Dxf for our CNC production process, then we can use our iLogic
robot to do that for us on every save with zero additional user input required.
Design automation rules allow us to change
and adapt our models based on our design scenario. Our design rules can control
which components are included in or excluded from our models, control the sizes
and features in those models, and set model limits. We can add rules for
controlling the associated information such as material and appearance.
iLogic gives us a fully configurable
interface to make it simple to interact and trigger our design rules and
produce the required model.
The iLogic rules we can add, use and the trigger can be simple functions to replace one simple task or can include a multitude of functionality up to a highly specific and functional customised
configuration environment.
There is no limit to the rules we can add,
as far as number or complexity, and as iLogic can also access the Inventor API,
along with any other .net based library, the possibilities are limitless.
The Advantages of iLogic
The obvious advantage when applying iLogic
to our design environment is to reduce the time required to produce the
information we need. That can translate simply as a cost-saving, but that is
not the only advantage. Reducing the time required may lead to a faster
turnaround, for example, on pre-sales information required for accurate
quoting. This can lead to an increase in sales revenue as well as reducing the
cost required for processing those sales. Also, with automation, the level of
expertise required to carry out the necessary tasks can be reduced, enabling
skilled resources to be better utilised.
iLogic allows us to capture the knowledge
about how our designs are driven, lowering reliance on information being ‘known’
or having been imparted to others. A model with the configuration rules
captured ensures that only designs that can be manufactured are able to be
generated. As well as ensuring conformity of design this can also allow the
configuration models to be used by others, such as the sales team or online,
safe in the knowledge that valid options will be chosen.
Another advantage of implementing rules,
for processes or design, is that consistency can be ensured. Typically,
therefore, you would expect an increase in quality with a reduction in human
error in the process. However, as with any robot, it is only as good as the
instructions input so incorrect instructions will result in incorrect designs,
though they will be consistently incorrect.
What next?
In summary, we can use iLogic to automate
repetitive Inventor tasks, making our engineers more effective and more
efficient, reducing the amount of time spent on tasks that use to take hours, which can now take a matter of
minutes.
At Excitech we offer a number of services
to help you take advantage of iLogic in automating your design processes. From
training your users, in the classroom, or virtually, to implementing
configurators for sales and production with help from our consultancy team.
We have recently introduced a new service– iLogic
Agile development workshops, which are a great way to get up and running
quickly with iLogic automation benefits.
Houdini is just one of our customers who
are taking advantage of iLogic, with our assistance. Find out more here https://www.excitech.co.uk/Insights/Case-Studies/Houdini/
