Fujitsu Launches New FJVPS that Enables Consideration of Production Line Organization in an Assembly Process

Tokyo, November 26, 2014

Fujitsu Limited and Digital Process Ltd. today announce the release of FJVPS V15L15, a new version of FUJITSU Manufacturing Industry Solution FJVPS (virtual product simulator from Fujitsu), which is a digital production-preparation tool for customers in the assembly manufacturing industry. This FJVPS assists in considering product assembly processes using 3D models. The new software is available starting today in Japan.

The new FJVPS includes a feature for presenting detailed diagrams of production flows showing the steps in a product's assembly, and also a new "assembly block" feature that allows the user to set up blocks that represent any set of assembly processes as a unit, to give a high-level view of the relationships between blocks. Using these two features together makes it easy to appreciate the overall processes in a product's assembly, enabling consideration of the way production lines are organized in the assembly process. It can also connect with FJGP4D V11L12, the latest version of FUJITSU Manufacturing Industry Solution FJGP4D for studying the layout of a plant. FJGP4D is able to import block-level assembly information, which can be used to study and evaluate layouts for each process at the facility.

As a result, it is possible to consider efficient, transformative assembly processes, not only for everyday products, but also for products involving large-scale processes for small-lot production, for which product prototyping is difficult, such as industrial equipment and medical devices.

With this product, Fujitsu and Digital Process are providing robust support for everything from detailed product-assembly methods to considerations of the assembly process that take into account the production facility, helping customers to optimize production processes before anything is produced.

Virtual product simulators, which use 3D data created with computer-aided design (CAD) tools, assist in the production-preparation process. In addition to their use in actual production operations to make assembly more efficient and for considering assembly procedures, FJVPSs are used to create production documentation and animate sequences for line-operator training. More recently, the need has arisen to study the relationships between processes, in parallel operations or sub-lines. This is an especially acute need among businesses that make products comprised of numerous components, such as industrial equipment and medical devices.

To meet this need, Fujitsu and Digital Process have released FJVPS V15L15, which offers a high-level view of the complete production process and includes a feature for grouping assembly processes into "assembly blocks." In addition, the assembly block information can also be used in FJGP4D V11L12, enabling consideration of the way production lines are organized in product assembly.

Fujitsu will continue to provide FJVPS and FJGP4D as its leading solutions for manufacturing.

Overview of assembly block features
(Duration: 1:50; no sound)

Product Features

1. "Assembly block" feature enables enhanced consideration of assembly process

   In the manufacturing flow diagram, the configuration of the product as imported from CAD can be rearranged to show detailed assembly configurations and procedures down to the individual component level. After breaking the process into blocks that represent the scope of work done by each operator or unit, or the portion produced by a sub-line, the assembly block feature can be used to show an overall flow of the manufacturing process. Because the assembly block features also shows processes on sub-lines or parallel operations, it enables a complete overview of the assembly process, including the relationships between individual processes, to be taken into consideration.

   Furthermore, when checking the assembly procedure block by block, in addition to generating animation, the software semi-automatically produces assembly instruction diagrams, enabling operations in line with the task's degree of difficulty.

   Figure 1: Manufacturing flow and assembly block.

2. Enhanced QCD⁽¹⁾ for assembly configuration improves data quality and speeds production-document creation

   When editing the assembled configuration and assembly sequence of the 3D model as imported from CAD, the software can show parts semi-transparently or in cutaway to make it easier to select interior or hidden parts, ensuring that parts are accurately selected and speeding up the editing process.

   Features have also been enhanced for quickly creating assembly manuals and other production documents. The production flow data and animations of the assembly process can be frozen and stills can be exported at any point for use in production documents. Frequently used symbols for processes such as welding and finishing can be registered by the user in a library, which can be shared to ensure uniform symbol use. In addition cutaway views can be inserted and 3D models can be rotated to show any angle, making it easier than ever before to create diagrams for production documents that better reflect engineers' intentions, and in greater detail.

   Figure 2: Production document

3. Connects to FJGP4D for studies of manufacturing-facility layouts

   FJVPS V15L15 can export assembly block information for use in FJGP4D V11L12. In FJGP4D, for each work area, the process information within an assembly block can be incorporated, enabling the line layout configuration to be considered for each assembly block. The process for importing FJVPS data has been simplified, and the number of steps for establishing connections has been greatly reduced.

   Furthermore, FJGP4D V11L12's memory usage has been drastically reduced, by as much as 49%⁽²⁾, and its performance increased. Moreover, usability has been improved for selections, batch edits, and process edits.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and Availability

Product Name		Pricing (excl tax)	Shipment
FJVPS V15L15	Assembly animation	JPY 980,000	From mid December 2014
	Standard	JPY 4 million
FJGP4D V11L12	Manufacturing	JPY 4 million

Sales Target

6,000 licenses for FJVPS V15L15 over next three years