This paper describes the process the Delco Electronics Powertrain business unit developed for managing derivative assemblies. The types of data being managed during the process includes: Bill of Materials, board artwork drawings, assembly drawings, and manufacturing data.

The derivative assemblies are a part of an overall in-process, data management scheme designed to standardize the reuse of the schematic capture (front-end) to PCB design (back-end) cycle. The derivative assembly data is stored directly within the Mentor Graphics design container within a design viewpoint directory.

Customized software has been added to both the Design Manager and the DA LMS applications. The customized software provides user-friendly dialog boxes that capture the data required to automatically produce artwork, assembly drawings, and manufacturing data.

The derivative assemblies play a key rule in the reuse process. During the front-end process, the engineer supplies input from the product team to define the artwork, assembly, and manufacturing data. The front-end data drives the creation of the artwork, assembly, and manufacturing data.

During the front-end and back-end processes, engineers and PCB designers use the Electronic Specification System (ESS) to store in-process data. The ESS provides successful in-process product data management. Both engineers and PCB designers on the Product Teams use ESS to maintain the integrity of the data.

Bio:
Roger Allison has been using Mentor Graphics software for approximately 11 years. Roger worked as a librarian, using the LMS tools to build the Powertrain library for Delco Electronics. For the past five years, Roger has been a leader in the Powertrain Design Automation Working Group that developed the derivative process being presented.

Leo Dabbs has been using Mentor Graphics software for approximately 11 years. Leo worked at Mentor Graphics in Wilsonville, Oregon as documenter/trainer from 1985 to 1994. Since 1994, Leo has supported Mentor Graphics applications at Delco Electronics in Kokomo, Indiana. Leo is a member of the Powertrain Design Automation Working Group.