CADENAS PARTsolutions

Strategic Parts Management at
MAN Truck & Bus AG

The Parts World of MAN Truck & Bus AG
Overview of Cooperation with CADENASA Strong Partnership for the Future
Since the beginning of 2009, MANStudies claim that about 70% of

MAN Truck & Bus AG is the largest

Truck & Bus AG has been imple-

manipulable total product costs canenterprise of MAN Group and one ofmenting CADENAS’ strategic parts

be traced back to planning in thethe leading international commercial

management system PARTsolutions.

development phase. CADENAS’vehicle manufacturers for trucks andIt is PARTsolutions’ goal to simplify

strategic parts management with thebuses. About 270,000 parts (accor-the finding, reducing and managing

geometric similarity search is alreadyding to the status of 2010) pertain toof CAD parts in companies and thus

used in the construction phase and is

the entire part stock of MAN Truck &reduce costs in the longrun.

used primarily in engineering at MAN.

Bus, of which each article number
generates around 3,000 to 4,000
EUR per year.

Overview of Part Stock at MAN Truck & Bus AG

n 115,000 – MAN own parts
n 113,000 – Same and repeated parts (MAN goods classification)n 40,000 – MAN standard parts (MAN goods classification)n 30 of the current 400 CADENAS supplier catalogs are used actively

Initial Situation at MAN Truck & Bus AG

n The prior MAN parts management PartsMan did not contain the complete parts
coverage of MAN Truck & Bus.
n A number of different systems for managing part data were consulted.

Philip Kraus
Technical ProjectManagement at
MAN Truck & Bus AG		 There were almost no interfaces between these.
n Not all locations had access to the same systems.
n The prior solution could not be implemented with different CAD systems.
n A high-performance supply of the previous software solution to all locations was
not possible.

“First of all, PARTsolutions offers us
the opportunity to find all single parts
including complex geometries in all
locations and from all systems. Thanks
to the scalable architecture, PARTsolutions can be globally implemented atmore and more workstations at MAN
without a problem.”

2

CADENAS’ software PARTsolutions serves as the central and corporation-wide solution for managing the complete MANparts master and is currently being used at about 1,300 workstations worldwide.
Plauen, Germany

Posen, PolandnManufacture of premium tour buses, charter and double-decker busesnManufacture of city buses and components

n15 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

n50 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

Nuremberg, Germany

Starachowice, Polandn

Engine development and constructionnManufacture of city bus shells

n200 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

n15 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutionsn

10 Autodesk Inventor workstations(toolmaking) with PARTsolutions

n40 PARTsolutions workstations without CAD

Ankara, Turkey

in production equipmentn

Manufacture of standard tour buses, intercity
and public transit buses

Salzgitter, Germanynn

50 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

nStandardization team with PARTsolutionsclassification module

Manufacture of heavy-duty
trucks, chassis frames andcomponents for busesn

15 CATIA V5 workstations
with PARTsolutions

Wittlich, Germanyn

7 CATIA V5 workstations
with PARTsolutions

Dachau, GermanynSpare parts warehousen

2 CATIA V5 workstations

Vienna, Austria

with PARTsolutions

Munich, GermanynnManufacture of special-purpose vehicles

n70 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

nPARTsolutions without CAD in variant management

Manufacture of heavy-duty trucks and driver’s cabs
as well as driven axles

n520 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

Steyr, Austrian

50 CATIA V4 workstations with PARTsolutionsn

Manufacture of light and medium weight trucks, driver’s cabs

nStandardization team with PARTsolutions classification modulen

57 CATIA V5 workstations with PARTsolutions

nPurchasing and production planning: PARTsolutions without CAD

nPARTsolutions without CAD in variant management

PARTsolutions Implementation Milestones
01/2009: Integration of MAN parts management
PartsMan into PARTsolutions

08/2006: Project start (pilot phase)

2006

2007

01/2008: Introduction ofgeometric similarity search2008

2009

2010
08/2009: Complete integration of MAN
PDM system ENOVIA LCA Classic07/2008: Creation of MAN company standards
as complete CADENAS multi-CAD catalog

3Seamless Integration of PARTsolutions
Direct Access to Other MAN Part Information Sources

The seamless integration into existing software environments ofJohannes Kern

MAN Truck & Bus AG delivers non-redundant data storage andTechnical Project

helps further consolidate the parts stock:

Management at
CADENAS GmbH

PARTsolutions was integrated in the following systems at MAN.
Here is an excerpt of the most important integrations:“The integration of the numerous MAN
administration systems into CADENASn CAD systems: CATIA V4 and V5, Autodesk InventorPARTsolutions was carried out step-bystep. The following connection of then PDM systems: ENOVIA LCA und CATIA V4 VPM (amongstweb-based electronic sketching infor-

other things, all parts which receive the status “constructivemation system for example, was possi-release” will be transferred to PARTsolutions daily)

ble without a problem thanks to a
successful overall architecture.”n Master technical data information system (German: SADIS)(MAN-own ERP system as mainframe application)n Electronic sketching information system (German: EZIS)

EZIS (the electronic sketching information system) is the electronic archive for the technical documents of MAN Truck & Bus AG.
It is a web-based application, which can only be reached through PARTsolutions. This enables a simpler access to all released 2Dsketches and standard documents.

4

Automated Classification
PARTsolutions Simplifies the Internal
Classification Process at MAN

MAN Truck & Bus standardization department
profits greatly from PARTsolutions due to the factthat many internal processes of classification

The Standardization Department ESS at
MAN Truck & Bus AG:

become automated thanks to the CADENAS software.
For more than 30 years, MAN standardization departmentn The existing MAN goods classification and thehas been providing classifications and attributes. TheMAN functional group classification weredecades of experience in standardization guarantee high-completely integrated into PARTsolutions.

quality data as well as a target-oriented structure.

n For all MAN corporate and company standards,

PARTsolutions offers an automatic geometry
generator for all CAD systems with highattention to detail.
Frank Jürgens
n The application for article numbers for standard

parts is stored as a workflow in PARTsolutions.

Manager Standardization
Department ESS atMAN Truck & Bus AG

n The standardization department reaches thegoal of high data consistency with more

“The consequent use of the parts

evaluations and reports.

management system PARTsolutions
already enforces the reduction ofpart selection in the early stage ofdevelopment.”

MAN goods classification is integrated with largely intuitive images
such as a “normal” CADENAS supplier or standard parts catalog.

The goods classification chapter contains all MAN classificationtables including a 3D preview.

5Enhancement of Conventional Search Methods
PARTsolutions Simplifies the Finding of Parts

Great importance is still attached toalmost unfeasible. At this point, theThe particular combination of thethe conventional form of classification

strategic parts management systemdifferent search functions offers

when searching for parts at MAN.

by CADENAS comes into focus:

engineers and purchasers more

However, not all parts can be classi-

PARTsolutions completes the existing

freedom and significantly increases

fied textually, since these are often

possibilities in the search for parts,

the retrievability of MAN parts.

too complex or very specific. A com-while simultaneously offering MAN

prehensive classification is therefore

numerous new functions.

Search with the help of classifications:

Conventional:

New:n Aside from personal knowledge through long termn With PARTsolutions, classification data for MAN own

experience, hierarchical classifications traditionallyparts can automatically be taken from the CAD

belong to the methods of enterprise knowledge

geometries.

management.
n For standard classifications concerning MAN standard
n Tool classifications are especially convincing inand supplier parts, PARTsolutions offers “pre-classi-part areas which can be easily grouped, classifiedfied” content from which standardization profits

and acquired.

significantly.

Search in catalogs:

Conventional:New:n Thumbing through paper catalogs in search for then PARTsolutions offers more than 400 electronic productfitting part in supplier catalogs is very time-consuming.

catalogs from well-known manufacturers thus
expanding the conventional paper catalog search.
n With PARTsolutions engineers are able to “thumbthrough” MAN’s own parts using the arrow keys, aswell as receive 3D previews. This is also possible withunclassified parts (functional groups).

6

Search with help of the Geometric Similarity Search:

New:n With PARTsolutions, all search results can continue to be refined. Thus a sort of “iterative” search method is made available inwhich the conventional search functions are expanded upon through the search for similar parts with the help of geometry. In
this way, unclassified parts or parts not able to be classified may be found as well.
n In order to avoid duplicates, with the help of a 3D geometry it is possible to check whether a part already exists at MAN in theCAD system during the construction phase. This also cancels out the need for specifying textual attributes. An additional checkbefore part release is possible.
n The geometric similarity search can also take place with a simple 2D sketch without a CAD system when using PARTsolutions
version 9. This additional search function will be implemented at MAN in the future.

Alexander Reuter

Stefan Riedelsheimer

IT Department Head,

Standardization and Catalog

CAx Applications,

Creation at CADENAS GmbH

Methods & Infrastructure
at MAN Truck & Bus AG“For years, the standardization
department at CADENAS has“PARTsolutions is an inherent

been actively contributing to thepart of the global MAN PLM

cross-market implementation ofstrategy and offers our enginee-classification systems in thering departments innovative

standardization and catalog

opportunities in order to be able

areas. We “standardizers” haveto work globally, efficiently andalso quickly realized that thesuccessfully.”

geometric similarity search needs
to be an essential element inparts management.”

Paradigm Shift in Search of Parts
PARTsolutions’ Geometric Similarity Search

The similarity search completes classification.

Advantages of the Geometric Similarity Search:

The geometric similarity search is a technologicalparadigm shift for finding and comparing CAD parts.
It is the goal of the geometric similarity search, tofind similar or equal CAD parts in an unlimited parts
master through an intuitive user interface. With its
innovative and trendsetting search methods, thesearch enables the internal processes of MAN Truck& Bus to be further optimized and contributes to theoverall product innovations of MAN.

n A user-friendly operation system simplifies thefinding of parts.
n No textual entries necessary to carry out search.
n A construction assistant enables automatic result
suggestions.
n Saves time and costs.

Search Directly Within the Design
Advantages of the Geometric Similarity Searchfor Engineering

For several years, PARTsolutions has been enjoying a high de-Lutz Ginsberg

gree of acceptance, especially in engineering. The geometrical

Director ofsimilarity search is the consistent amelioration of the PARTsolu-Development Citytions functional range.

Bus at MAN Truck &Bus AG

The simple search functions promote the willingness of engineers
to search for existing parts and thus significantly increases the“Engineering is enthralled by the newreuse of MAN parts.

search methods that PARTsolutions
offers. Especially the combination ofclassification and pure geometricsimilarity is a big hit. The fast andExample:

complete 3D preview has become
In the respective CAD system,a part is created, whose 3D
geometry is consulted for thesearch.

indispensible.”

Advantages at a glance:

All important search functions

gfor design and construction aresummarized in CADENAS’ strategic
In PARTsolutions, the users
are shown a list of all resultsof the geometric similarity
search with the respective
percent value of geometricalconformity.

parts management system.
Resulting in:n A higher willingness to search forand research parts

gn Increased use of standard andThe geometrically similar partthat was found can then becompared and measured withthe constructed part in a 3Dview.		

supplier partsn Minimal training needed9All Important Parts Information at a Glance
The Combination of the Search
for Attributes and Geometries

Through the combination of conventi-geometric attributes. In addition,

MAN parts information from theonal databases with the geometricPARTsolutions offers “pre-classified”

different administrative systems, thissimilarity search, all available 3D CAD

content from a number of electronic

database creates a unique know-parts at MAN Truck & Bus AG could,

CAD catalogs that are created andledge pool that can be used acrossfor the first time ever, be found andpre-classified by CADENAS as well as

the entire group.

reused using different textual andmanufacturers. In combination withPARTsolutions Search Database
Data comes fromdifferent information
sources.

Dassault V4 VPM

V4, V5 archive(file-based)

Dassault ENOVIA LCA

V5 special catalog(ca. 1000 MANsketch stickers)

SADIS

CADENAS
standard data(pre-classified content)

MAN company
standards

Manufacturer/supplierdata (pre-classifiedcontent)

Classification dataof the standardization
department ESS

PARTsolutions
All information relevant for part selection in MAN part stock, as wellas pre-classified catalogs from CADENAS, are pulled into the searchand displayed on one interface.

10CATIASummary and Prospect
The PARTsolutions Project at MAN Truck & Bus

Improvements through PARTsolutions:

Other planned project steps:

n The parts management system integrates

n Release management: The new version 9 offers

all MAN parts from different part information

many important functionalities, such as forsources and supports all current CAD systems.

example searching based on a 2D sketchwithout a CAD system.

n Access to part information, especially fromworldwide MAN locations is possible.

n Supplier integration: Suppliers and MAN

partners will be connected to the partsn Research and search possibilities according tomanagement system.

specific parts were optimized and considerably
simplified.

n Expansion of number of workstations: More

MAN departments wish to gain access ton MAN’s internal processes were optimized

across all departments.

PARTsolutions, among them the architecture
department, variant management, and the MAN
subsidiary in Brazil.

Jürgen Heimbach

Stefan Bernhardt

CEO, CADENAS GmbHChief Department Manager
IT Engineering atMAN Truck & Bus AG“MAN Truck & Bus has offered
us some good ideas for improve-“We see the project that imple-

ment concerning details formented PARTsolutions as a greatcoming versions. As a very

success. We have gained manycustomer-oriented company,

new functionalities that have

we appreciate all suggestions

fundamentally simplified andand are looking forward to a

improved a number of processes

long and positive partnership.”at MAN Truck & Bus.”
11Printed in Germany
Text and images non-binding.
Subject to change based on technical progress.

MAN Truck & Bus AG

CADENAS Technologies AG

P.O. Box 50 06 20

Berliner Allee 28 b + c

D-80976 Munich

D-86153 Augsburg

www.man-mn.com

www.cadenas.co.uk

A member of the MAN Group