Let’s take a look at the positioning of the “Product Release Engineer” (XEN) and “3D Product Architect” (PAU) roles by understanding the major activities these roles manage during the product development process.
Both roles share common functionalities and can be used in different scenarios based on the company needs. Fundamentally, XEN handles the maturity and definition aspects of the design whereas PAU is suited for the creation and high-level manipulation of the products physical aspects.
Product Release Engineer (XEN)
This role targets users who have the “product engineer” profile in the organization and manage the product “xBOM” definition. This role provides the engineering definition of the product beyond the traditional CAD definition (design structure) from early definition to the final validation, in collaboration across disciplines and the value network.
The following are the major activities this role can manage:
- Product and product structure definition (defined manually and/or in the MCAD/ECAD)
- Enterprise Item Numbers definition
- Interchangeability definition (alternate/substitutes)
- Manufacturing intent (Make, Buy, manufacturing responsibility)
- Continuous quantity definition (volume and mass) of core/covering materials
3D Product Architect (PAU)
This role targets users who have the profile “senior mechanical designer” in the organization, and allows them to navigate and author multi-CAD product structures with a shared experience between structures and 3D visualization.
This role enables users to:
- Define the Product architecture (product and product structure) that can be loaded in the CAD application for detailed design
- Visualize the 3D model of the product, in web, and run filters to focus on required design components (using volume filters of box, sphere, proximity or space)
- Edit the positioning of the parts/products in the assembly, from the web, without the use of CAD. This positioning is not considered as accurate as in CAD but it provides the intention of the senior designer
- Prepare the “to be” design environment for the design team who contribute in the CAD
A simple way of looking at how these tools could be used together would be:
1. Product Release Engineer (XEN) gathers all the Engineering items that meet the requirements.
2. 3D Product Architect (PAU) organizes and positions the Engineering items into a workable design structure and then assigns the items to the designers for detailed design (in CAD).
3. Product Release Engineer (XEN) validates the requirements have been adhered to and matures the Engineering items to the right level of maturity state. This role completes the work by providing all necessary information related to: manufacturing, core material, enterprise item numbers etc.
