![[IMAGE:Open Archive Logo]](/images/oa_logo.gif){kind=logo}
|
|
Key Benefits of an Open Drawing ArchiveRe-Engineer the Business ProcessWhile companies have focused on improving their individual productivity gain by implementing task oriented tools like CAD or word-processing, scanning paper assets can enhance the business process. Reducing product cycle times and lower-costed goods represent the kind of business process issues affected by implementing an EDM system. Reduce Drawing Life Cycle CostsCreating an open environment for drawing archives requires an organization to incur a one-time cost of scanning paper archives into an electronic environment. However, once implemented, savings are realized throughout all phases of the product life cycle. Considering that the amount of technical information grows exponentially throughout each successive phase of the product life cycle, the savings can easily accumulate to provide a substantial return for the maintenance, archiving, and revision of paper assets. Attain a Competitive AdvantageScanning existing drawing archives into an electronic environment allows a firm to project a consistent, progressive, and high quality image to their clients by eliminating the use of outdated manual drafting and archiving methods. CAD is recognized as the industry standard in technical drafting and can now be used for drawings that were created before CAD. Reduce the Cost of RevisionsRevisions done electronically are completed much faster than the same revisions done by manual methods. Two fundamental methods exist today for making changes to older paper drawings. Raster is the format first produced by scanning old paper drawings, and making revisions on these scanned drawings is known as raster or hybrid drafting. Using an integrated raster and CAD environment, users can make modifications on the raster scanned drawing with the ease and efficiency of CAD systems. The better tools on the market can even treat the unintelligent raster information as though the operator were dealing with vector CAD elements. The second approach involves the integration of raster-to-vector conversion, where the scanned raster drawing is automatically converted to intelligent vector CAD entities like lines, circles, and text. While this is the preferred approach for most end-users, it is the most misunderstood. The interactive method of conversion can be used where parts of a drawing are critically needed in vector CAD. The appropriate views or elements of the drawing are selected, rectified, and converted to the desired CAD format, typically DXF, IGES, or CALS CGM. A batch method also exists that converts large volumes of drawings during off-shift hours. This is effective where the drawings can utilize a consistent set of rules during the conversion process, but is not as accurate as having a user assist in the conversion with rules that meet more specific requirements. Both approaches allow the user to take advantage of significant revision cost savings even when working with old paper drawings. The second, third, and future revisions to a drawing produce even greater savings, reducing the overall cost of maintaining a drawing throughout its useful life. Increase the Value of CADCurrently, CAD use is limited to creating or modifying new designs, yet most new designs are based on old or existing projects. A scanned and open archive creates a new application for CAD systems: making revisions to existing paper drawings. Users must no longer settle for making changes manually just because that is how the original was created. CAD operators are more productive and spend more time on design rather than drafting. The result is increased value from CAD. Add Value to DrawingsThe overall benefit realized from scanning paper drawings is the increase in the value of a company's most valued asset, drawings. Once captured into electronic form, they can be used for many functions including maintenance and material control, project management, quality assurance, training, or purchasing. And once the drawing is fully converted to vector CAD format, the uses for it increase dramatically. For example, intelligent CAD files can be used with cost estimating programs, engineering design and analysis programs, inventory tracking, or used to drive numerical controlled machining in manufacturing. Open Archive Systems, Inc. Will Help Companies Accomplish This By:
|