Today, one of the challenges that manufacturers face is to capture the data and evaluate it during the test process. They want to keep record of the information of pre-test actual test and post-test processes easily and systematically and create complex relation information between these data. To meet this needs, engineering lifecycle management (ELM) tool is a data and process management system that focuses on capturing and managing the data all the way from the test data to the consumption of this data by the CAE products and various end users. It provides multiple methods to capture your data and has a web-based interface that allows you search and compare validate this data and apply multiple levels of security access to make sure users only see data that they are authorized to see. ELM tool also ensures that your data comes from a consistent, approved source and completely traceable processes. It is built on top of a framework because that allows direct integration with your custom CAE package in solution to perform simulations and ICME computations directly through the web environment. ICME and CAE integration also allows engineers to compare physical test data with virtual test data within a single tool and help them ultimately select the material that best suits their application. Using material center as a process engine we have the ability to automate virtual test, report generation, and many other activities straight out of the browser.
Test Data Lifecycle
Test data lifecycle is generally formed by few stages. First, stage to generate electronic data begins with manufacturing specimen preparation. For instance, a roll of carbon fiber is purchased from a supplier a composite then constructed through wet or prepreg, the test specimens are created in accordance to desired specifications then actual testing is performed on the specimen. Afterward, the test data is then captured in an electronic format. This data is often reduced verified and then published and distributed across an organization. Within the system, users can create a custom relational data model or ELM tool already provides a sample schema to use. So when you view a material you can view all the test data associated with it. Mc mapping engine also allows you to import many test data at once.
As a conclusion, with engineering lifecycle management tools, engineers are able to keep track of all the test stages and capture the information from them. With this ability, they now can make better tests and fully understand what is happening during the test process of their products. Engineering lifecycle management tools are thus saving from the time, cost and extra efforts to better test the prototypes.