How PLM technology implementation enhances competitiveness of high-tech optical systems at Ural Optical-Mechanical Plant
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the ability of industrial enterprises to efficiently bring complex, high-tech products to market determines their survival and success. For giants like Ural Optical-Mechanical Plant (UOMZ), which produces sophisticated optical systems, the challenges are particularly significant. Traditional data management approaches based on paper drawings and disparate archives are becoming a brake on innovation. The response to these challenges is the implementation of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) technologies. This article explains how these technologies become the key to ensuring competitiveness using UOMZ as an example.
Product Lifecycle (PLC) is the sequence of all stages of a product's existence, from initial concept and design to production, operation, and final disposal1 . For complex optical-mechanical products created at UOMZ, these stages include:
Marketing research, requirements formation, and R&D activities.
Engineering design, 3D modeling, and technical documentation.
Manufacturing processes, quality control, and product testing.
Installation, technical support, maintenance, and repairs.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is a concept aimed at creating a unified and structured information space for all participants in the lifecycle3 . Its goal is to manage all information about the product and related processes.
Information is interconnected. From specifications, you can instantly navigate to 3D assembly models3 .
All users work with a single version of truth, minimizing risks of errors from outdated data3 .
A PLM system technically implements this concept by integrating tools such as:
Implementing IPI technology at an enterprise with a rich history like UOMZ is a strategic project aimed at its digital transformation.
| Criterion | Traditional Approach | PLM Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Information Access | Lengthy search in paper archives | Instant access from workstation |
| Data Relevance | High risk of using outdated drawings | All users work with a single current version |
| Making Changes | Lengthy approval process, risk of incomplete implementation | Regulated change management process |
| Department Interaction | Sequential, with delays | Parallel, coordinated |
To evaluate the implementation effect not just in words but in practice, a kind of "scientific experiment" can be conducted at the enterprise scale.
Two similar projects for developing new optical instruments are selected.
Key indicators are recorded for each project: time, change orders, errors, labor intensity.
Data is collected throughout the project and subjected to comparative analysis.
Hypothetical results of such an "experiment" can be presented in tables.
For successful project implementation at UOMZ, an entire ecosystem of software and methodological solutions is required.
| Component/Tool | Function in the Project | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| PDM System | System core. Responsible for storage, version management, document routing, and access control. | Siemens Teamcenter, ASCON ЛОЦМАН:PLM, C3 PLM7 |
| CAD System | Creation of 3D models, drawings, and product specifications. Integrates with PDM for automatic data loading. | КОМПАС-3D, SolidWorks, Siemens NX3 7 |
| CAE System | Conducting virtual tests and engineering calculations at early design stages. | ANSYS, NASTRAN |
| ERP System | Planning production resources, logistics, and finances. PLM-ERP integration is critical. | SAP ERP, 1С:ERP |
| Process Management Methodology | Regulation of business processes like "Engineering Change Management". | - |
The implementation process includes several stages: preparation and planning, process analysis, system configuration, personnel training, and commissioning7 .
Understanding current processes and requirements
Customizing the PLM system to meet specific needs
Preparing staff and rolling out the system
The integration of various systems creates a seamless information flow across the entire product lifecycle.
Implementing product lifecycle information support technologies at UOMZ is not just a trend toward digitalization, but a strategic necessity. This is a transition from document management to product knowledge management.
Creating a unified digital twin of the product at all stages of its life allows for eliminating gaps between departments, radically accelerating processes, and ultimately producing higher quality and more competitive high-tech products that meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Today, new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are appearing on the horizon, promising to revolutionize PLM. AI can be used for predictive analytics, generative design, and automation of routine tasks8 .