Product Lifecycle Management(PLM), is a methodical approach to managing a product’s journey from conception to disposal. It involves coordinating people, processes, and technology to optimize product development, enhance collaboration, and ensure product quality and compliance throughout its lifecycle. PLM encompasses activities like product data management, collaborative development, digital mockups, and change management. Its goal is to improve efficiency, reduce time to market, and enhance product competitiveness.
Q1. What is PLM?
Ans: PLM stands for Product Lifecycle Management. It is a systematic approach to managing the entire lifecycle of a product from its conception, through design and manufacturing, to service and disposal. PLM software helps organizations streamline product development processes, improve collaboration between teams, and effectively manage product data and documentation throughout the lifecycle.
Q2. What is an item? Dataset? Metadata?
Ans:
- Item: In Teamcenter, an item represents a unique entity such as a part, assembly, document, or any other object managed within the system.
- Dataset: A dataset in Teamcenter refers to a file or a collection of files associated with an item. This could include CAD files, documents, images, or other digital assets.
- Metadata: Metadata in Teamcenter refers to the descriptive information associated with an item or dataset. It includes attributes such as name, description, author, revision, and any other relevant information that provides context or characteristics of the data.
Q3. What is the difference between version & revision?
Ans:
- Version: A version in Teamcenter represents a specific iteration or snapshot of an item or dataset at a particular point in time. Versions typically denote incremental changes or updates to the data.
- Revision: A revision in Teamcenter represents a distinct stage or variant of an item that undergoes a significant change or modification. Revisions often indicate major updates, corrections, or enhancements to the item.
Q4. What is explicit check-out & implicit check-out?
Ans:
- Explicit Check-out: Explicit check-out in Teamcenter involves manually initiating the check-out process for an item or dataset by a user. This allows the user to obtain exclusive access to the data for editing or modification.
- Implicit Check-out: Implicit check-out occurs automatically when a user attempts to modify an item or dataset that is not already checked out. Teamcenter implicitly checks out the data to the user, granting them exclusive access for editing.
Q5. Can we add attributes to items / Item Revisions?
Ans: Yes, attributes can be added to items and item revisions in Teamcenter. Attributes provide additional information or metadata about the item, such as classification, properties, or custom characteristics specific to the organization’s requirements.
Q6. Can we revise forms?
Ans: Yes, forms can be revised in Teamcenter. Forms are customizable templates used to capture and display information about items or processes. Revising a form allows for updates or changes to the form layout, structure, or content to better align with evolving business needs or requirements.
Q7. Will forms be carried over to the next revision of the IRs? Where do you control that?
Ans: Whether forms are carried over to the next revision of item revisions (IRs) depends on the configuration settings in Teamcenter. This control is typically managed through preferences or options within the Teamcenter administration interface, where administrators can define rules for form behavior during revisions, including whether forms should be carried over or reset to default values.
Q8. To Delete or Not to delete Structure Manager (Product Structure Editor)?
Ans: The decision to delete Structure Manager (Product Structure Editor) depends on the organization’s specific requirements and workflows. If Structure Manager is not being used or if there are alternative methods for managing product structures, it may be appropriate to delete it to simplify the interface and reduce clutter. However, if Structure Manager is integral to the organization’s processes, deleting it may disrupt existing workflows and should be carefully considered.
Q9. What is the difference between a revision and version in Teamcenter?
Ans:
- Revision: A revision in Teamcenter represents a distinct stage or variant of an item that undergoes a significant change or modification. Revisions often indicate major updates, corrections, or enhancements to the item.
- Version: A version in Teamcenter represents a specific iteration or snapshot of an item or dataset at a particular point in time. Versions typically denote incremental changes or updates to the data.
Q10. What is the difference between Item and Item revision in Teamcenter?
Ans: Item: An item in Teamcenter represents a unique entity such as a part, assembly, document, or any other object managed within the system.
- Item Revision: An item revision in Teamcenter represents a specific stage or variant of an item that undergoes a significant change or modification. Item revisions often indicate major updates, corrections, or enhancements to the item.
Q11. What is the difference between Precise and Imprecise assemblies in Teamcenter?
Ans:
- Precise Assemblies: Precise assemblies in Teamcenter are fully defined and constrained assemblies where the exact position and orientation of components are specified explicitly.
- Imprecise Assemblies: Imprecise assemblies in Teamcenter are loosely defined or unconstrained assemblies where the position and orientation of components are not explicitly specified, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability in the assembly layout.
Q12. What is the difference between ‘where used’ and ‘where referenced’ searches in Teamcenter?
Ans:
- Where Used: The “where used” search in Teamcenter identifies all instances where a specific item or dataset is used as a component or reference within assemblies, documents, or other contexts.
- Where Referenced: The “where referenced” search in Teamcenter identifies all instances where a specific item or dataset is referenced or linked from other objects, such as drawings, documents, or processes.
Q13. What is the difference between Item, Part, Assembly, BOM, and PSE, item revision, BOM View, BVR?
Ans:
- Item: An item in Teamcenter represents a unique entity managed within the system, which could include parts, assemblies, documents, or any other object.
- Part: A part in Teamcenter refers to a specific type of item representing a physical component or piece used in the assembly or manufacturing process.
- Assembly: An assembly in Teamcenter refers to a collection of parts and components that are put together to form a larger functional unit.
- BOM (Bill of Materials): A BOM in Teamcenter is a structured list or hierarchy of components, parts, and materials required to manufacture or assemble a product.
- PSE (Product Structure Editor): PSE in Teamcenter is a tool used to create, visualize, and manage product structures, including assemblies, subassemblies, and components.
- Item Revision: An item revision in Teamcenter represents a specific stage or variant of an item that undergoes a significant change or modification.
- BOM View: A BOM view in Teamcenter is a specific representation or view of the bill of materials, customized to display relevant information for a particular context or purpose.
- BVR (Bill of Materials Variant): BVR in Teamcenter refers to variant-specific bill of materials, which allows for the creation and management of multiple BOM configurations for different product variants or options.
Q14. What is the difference between a ‘Substitute’ and ‘Alternative’?
Ans:
- Substitute: A substitute in Teamcenter refers to a part or component that can be used as a replacement or alternative for another part in specific contexts or scenarios.
- Alternative: An alternative in Teamcenter refers to a different option or choice available for a part or component, offering variations or alternatives for selection based on specific requirements or preferences.
Q15. What is the difference between an Absolute occurrence and a relative occurrence?
Ans:
- Absolute Occurrence: An absolute occurrence in Teamcenter specifies the exact location or position of a component within an assembly relative to a fixed reference point or coordinate system.
- Relative Occurrence: A relative occurrence in Teamcenter specifies the location or position of a component within an assembly relative to another component or feature, allowing for dynamic positioning based on relationships or constraints.
Q16. What is a Supersede?
Ans: A supersede in Teamcenter refers to the action of replacing or superseding an existing item revision with a newer or updated revision, typically due to changes, corrections, or improvements to the item.
Q17. What is a direct model dataset?
Ans: A direct model dataset in Teamcenter represents a lightweight representation of a CAD model or geometry that is independent of the original CAD file. Direct model datasets are used for visualization, analysis, and collaboration purposes without requiring access to the native CAD application or files.
Q18. What is a global alternate?
Ans: A global alternate in Teamcenter refers to a part or component that serves as a global alternative or substitute for another part across multiple product structures or assemblies within the system.
Q19. What is the difference between Global Alternate, Substitute and Configurable Variant?
Ans:
- Global Alternate: A global alternate in Teamcenter serves as a universal replacement or alternative for another part across multiple product structures or assemblies within the system.
- Substitute: A substitute in Teamcenter refers to a part or component that can be used as a replacement or alternative for another part in specific contexts or scenarios.
- Configurable Variant: A configurable variant in Teamcenter represents a variant-specific configuration of a product or assembly, allowing for the creation and management of multiple configurations based on predefined rules or options.
Q20. What is a Find Number in BOM?
Ans: A find number in BOM (Bill of Materials) is a sequential numbering or indexing system used to identify and locate components within the bill of materials. Find numbers help users quickly locate specific components within the BOM hierarchy for reference or analysis.
Q21. What is a sequence?
Ans: In Teamcenter, a sequence refers to the order or sequence of components within an assembly or product structure. Sequences define the arrangement or positioning of components relative to each other, ensuring proper assembly and functionality.
Q22. Difference between Revision effectively, Occurrence Effectivity?
Ans:
- Revision Effectivity: Revision effectivity in Teamcenter controls the visibility and applicability of item revisions based on predefined effective dates or ranges. It determines when specific revisions become active or obsolete across all occurrences of the item.
- Occurrence Effectivity: Occurrence effectivity in Teamcenter controls the visibility and applicability of individual occurrences or instances of an item within assemblies or product structures. It allows for variant-specific configurations and defines when specific occurrences are active or inactive.
Q23. Copy as Object vs Copy as Reference in Teamcenter
Ans:
- Copy as Object: Copying as an object in Teamcenter creates a new independent instance of the selected item or dataset, including all associated data and attributes. The copied object is not linked to the original and can be modified or managed separately.
- Copy as Reference: Copying as a reference in Teamcenter creates a new reference or pointer to the selected item or dataset, maintaining a direct link to the original data. Changes made to the original data will be reflected in all references, and modifications may affect other instances referencing the same data.
Q24. What is the advantage of Revision Effectivity?
Ans: The advantage of revision effectivity in Teamcenter is that it provides granular control over the visibility and applicability of item revisions based on specific effective dates or ranges. This allows organizations to manage and track changes to product data over time, ensuring that the correct revisions are used in assemblies and processes at the appropriate stages of the product lifecycle.
Q25. What is the advantage of Incremental changes over revision/structure Effectivity?
Ans: The advantage of incremental changes over revision/structure effectivity in Teamcenter is that it allows for more flexible and dynamic management of product configurations and variants. Incremental changes enable users to apply specific modifications or updates to individual occurrences or instances of items within assemblies, facilitating variant-specific configurations without affecting the entire product structure.
Q26. When do you prefer using Revision Effectivity over Occurrence Effectivity?
Ans: Revision effectivity in Teamcenter is preferred when there is a need to control the visibility and applicability of item revisions across all occurrences uniformly. It is suitable for managing changes that affect the entire product structure or assembly, ensuring consistency and compliance with revision standards throughout the lifecycle. Occurrence effectivity, on the other hand, is preferred when there is a need to manage variant-specific configurations or apply changes selectively to individual occurrences within assemblies.
Q27. What are modular variants? What’s the difference between classic and modular variants?
Ans:
- Modular Variants: Modular variants in Teamcenter represent configurable product structures composed of modular components or modules that can be combined in various configurations to create different product variants. Modular variants allow for flexible and efficient product customization while maintaining commonality and reuse of modular components.
- Difference between Classic and Modular Variants: Classic variants in Teamcenter represent predefined configurations of products or assemblies with fixed component relationships and options. Modular variants, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility and configurability by allowing users to dynamically assemble modular components into custom configurations based on specific requirements or preferences.
Q28. What is the difference between Publish, Publish to Default ODS?
Ans:
- Publish: Publishing in Teamcenter involves making specific data or information available to users or downstream systems by generating and distributing output documents, reports, or files. It typically involves creating representations of product data in formats suitable for consumption or sharing.
- Publish to Default ODS: Publish to default ODS in Teamcenter refers to the process of publishing data to the default output data store (ODS) configured in the system. It ensures that published data is stored and accessible in the designated output repository for retrieval and distribution.
Q29. What happens if you publish an Item Revision that is already published?
Ans: If you publish an item revision in Teamcenter that is already published, the system will typically update the existing published output with the latest revisions or changes. This ensures that users have access to the most up-to-date information and eliminates redundancy or duplication of published data.
Q30. Can anybody publish an Item Revision that is owned by you?
Ans: The ability to publish an item revision in Teamcenter may be controlled by access permissions and workflow configurations defined in the system. Depending on the organization’s policies and settings, users may or may not have the authority to publish item revisions owned by others. Typically, only authorized users with the necessary permissions and privileges can initiate the publishing process for item revisions.
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