Michelle Maniscalco
Injection Molding Magazine

Even if your operations are not as large as those at Xerox, finding out how this giant saved $1.8 million using data exchange software could boost your bottom line as well. Bud Krayer, CAM Project Manager for Xerox Research and Technology's Corporate Engineering Center in Webster, NY estimates the above savings based on an average of 30,000 transactions per year through DEXcenter� (Data EXchange Center), an Internet / intranet-based data exchange system from International TechneGroup Incorporated (ITI).

"DEXcenter supports communication between our Webster facilities and other sites as well as our external suppliers," Krayer says. Of the 172 such suppliers, 38 are molders and moldmakers. Xerox engineers used to spend a lot of time converting designs into the correct CAD system. "There's one flavor for the molder, another for tool design. We're able now to select the supplier within DEXCenter, and files are automatically converted to whichever CAD system they need."

In the past, companies such as Xerox have employed point solutions for translation and healing. But according to ITI, the transfer of engineering product data from one user to another is a complex process, prone to human error and delay, that can quickly build up over the life of a project. Company sources say that providing an intuitive, web-based platform for data exchange reduces the transfer of engineering product data to a single action, little more complex than sending an email. DEXcenter keeps records of the formats and preferences associated with each user, and will fire up the necessary translation repair tools behind the scenes.

Krayer also cites the issue of model quality as a reason for implementing the system. "When we send models, people build off of them. Other suppliers transfer the models back and forth for design work. With the software, we can get a relative idea of whether a file will convert without error relative to model quality." After Xerox converted to solid models, the issue became even more critical. "Surfaces must be stitched, with no incomplete solids or duplicate lines in the wireframe," he says. Model quality is checked and repaired via CADfix, another ITI product that's been integrated into DEXcenter. Repairs allow Xerox to optimize the file for specific supplier CAD/CAM systems.

Rather than typical IT projects, installing and running this system takes few resources, according to Krayer. Xerox has one administrator who sets up accounts, and one tech person who handles quality issues. There is also a part time person working on infrastructure. "With this we support all internal and external customers, and it's very cost effective. We've improved the timeliness and quality of our supply process. Without leaving our CAD system [I-Deas, UGS], you can take a file, select a supplier, and send it. Everything is automatic from there on. The system translates and sends the file to the supplier."

Krayer recommends that molders who incorporate design into their services add this software as well. "PDM systems are more complex and often cost prohibitive for small to midsize manufacturers. DEXcenter can be implemented with a few people, and it is affordable."