LCMI: Quality Exchanges with PLM

Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory (LCMI) is a Franco-German research center co-financed by the National Scientific Research Center and the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. The laboratory designs and manufactures machines that are used to create the highest continuous magnetic fields in Europe. Its facilities are available to the international scientific community and rented to manufacturers, particularly in semi-conductor, transport, electricity and biochemistry sectors. The magnets are composed of superconductive or copper alloy-based coils.
To provide 30-tesla fields, the dissipated power in the magnets reaches 20MW and requires specific hydraulic equipment connected to a nearby dam. LCMI provides over 5,000 hours of high magnetic fields per year.

?We undertook an in-depth approach which was very time-consuming, but we are very pleased with the results? Fran?ois Debray Chief Magnet Development Engineer

Improving Access and Exchanges

Implementing a centralized product data management system was a necessity for LCMI. Indeed, this specialized laboratory frequently works in an international context involving the implementation of structured document systems. ?We studied the organization of processes and documentation, based on a quality approach. We wanted to structure our data exchanges, both internally and with subcontractors and manufacturers, and group together all our technical activities. As we had chosen to use a 3D design system on CATIA in the whole laboratory, we decided to combine CAD and EDM into a single project,? explains Fran?ois Debray, Chief Magnet Development Engineer.

From the Design Office to the Workshop

Once its document charter had been drawn up, LCMI called on MDTVISION to help it select product data management software. SmarTeam turned out to be best suited to the context. ?MDTVISION installed and deployed CATIA and SmarTeam on all the workstations concerned and trained users and administrators. Since being rolled out in October 2001, the structure of the product data management system has proved to be durable and has not had to undergo major modifications,? says Fran?ois Debray. The system, which now includes 8,000 CATIA references, was gradually implemented, starting with the design office. Today it brings together technical activities from the calculation unit to the assembly hall. The next stage will involve CAM development in the workshop.

Impressive Results

The new system represented an important change for LCMI in terms of work methods. ?We undertook an in-depth approach which was very time-consuming, but we are very pleased with the results. We now work in a collaborative way, with several people able to work on a common project at the same time. Plans have been checked, our relationships with subcontractors have been strengthened and rapid access to the relevant information helps us to save precious time,? concludes Fran?ois Debray.