Adaptable Material Coding Method for Product Lifecycle Management

Abstract

Accurate material data shared in product lifecycle is the basis of manufacturing industry informationization. But material coding rule is usually different in enterprises. The code rule definition model based on code segment unit was proposed, and the segment unit was divided into four types as flow, selection, input and conversion according to code generating way. The concept of code segment structure tree was proposed to support the code method’s adaptability. The E-R model of adaptable coding system was described. The integration model of coding system, CAD, CAPP, PDM and ERP was put forward. Based on the model, generating code before design, generating code after design and generating code offline modes were proposed. Taking a specific material code rule in an enterprise as an example, the coding system’s application method was studied. The example shows that the proposed coding method is adaptable and effective.