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  • Modular plot engine for Windchill and Pro/INTRALINK

Windchill plots: Automatic generation – event-driven, scalable and ERP-compatible

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  • Approval triggered – plot file ready: no manual intervention required

Windchill drawing plots: Why manual processes do not scale

Automatically generate Windchill plots upon approval

SF PLOT/EXPORT generates plot files and attribute files fully automatically as soon as a configurable event occurs – for example, when a drawing is released. All Creo print formats are supported, and the process runs outside the Windchill environment.
Further information

In the manufacturing industry, approved drawings must be immediately available as plot files in downstream systems: in the ERP system for production planning, in the EDM system for document management, and in the archive system for long-term storage.

If these files are generated and transferred manually, this leads to delays, errors and media breaks – particularly when dealing with large volumes of releases. SF PLOT/EXPORT fully automates this step: the Plot Engine registers events directly within the PLM system and generates plots at scale without restricting ongoing Windchill operations.

  • Advantages of SF PLOT/EXPORT

Fully automatic

Plots are generated automatically in response to events – for example, when a drawing is approved – without the need for manual intervention.

Scalable

Several PLOT/EXPORT servers process jobs in parallel – making them ideally suited to high volumes of print jobs.

System-integrated

As an extensible interface, PLOT/EXPORT connects Windchill to ERP, EDM and archiving systems.

All formats

All Creo print formats are supported – plot files and attribute files are generated simultaneously.

  • Modular structure: Plugin – Queue Server – Plot Server

Windchill graph plots: PLOT/EXPORT in detail

Technical design and manufacturing process

The plug-in is registered on the Windchill server, monitors configured events and, when they occur, submits a plot job to the queue server. The queue server processes jobs according to the FIFO principle and distributes them to one or more plot servers.

The Plot Server consists of two components: one for data management and Windchill API access, and one for resource-intensive CAD processing in Creo – on a dedicated server outside the Windchill environment. The drawing plots are generated by a Pro/TOOLKIT- and J-Link-based Creo process.

What PLOT/EXPORT generates automatically

SF PLOT/EXPORT automatically generates the following output for each configured event:
  • Plot files in all supported Creo print formats
  • Attribute file containing all model and drawing parameters, as well as database attributes
  • Direct printing on printers and plotters as a single job
  • Customised output files as input for ERP, EDM or archiving
  • Automated installation via a routine – plugin using an Ant script and service registration
A short ‘frozen zone’ is required in the source system solely for the final switchover, during which no further changes may be made. Operations remain fully operational during all other phases.

Interface with ERP, EDM and archiving systems

SF PLOT/EXPORT is not just a plotting engine, but also an extensible interface: through customisation, output files can be configured to serve as direct input for ERP systems, EDM systems or long-term archives. The process runs reliably, requires little maintenance and can be deeply integrated into the Windchill environment.

Scaling and Windchill versions

As the volume of orders increases, further plot server instances can be added. SF PLOT/EXPORT is available for the current versions of Windchill supported by PTC.

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How the Wind chill graph plots SF PLOT/EXPORT

  • Functions at a glance

Analysis

We record your events, target formats and downstream systems to ensure a tailor-made configuration.

Furnishings

SF installs and configures PLOT/EXPORT for your Windchill environment and interface requirements.

Operation

We provide support for go-live, testing and ongoing maintenance to ensure the automation system runs smoothly.
  • Personalised advice on SF PLOT/EXPORT

Enquiry & advice

Tell us about your requirements regarding plot formats, events and target systems – our experts will show you how SF PLOT/EXPORT can fully automate your process.
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  • Questions / Answers

General enquiries about SF PLOT/EXPORT

What is SF PLOT/EXPORT and what is it used for?
SF MERGE is the SF Migration Factory’s key tool for Windchill data migration – ranging from CAD migrations and system consolidations through to Pro/INTRALINK replacements and mergers, acquisitions and carve-outs.

The PLOT/EXPORT plug-in monitors configured events such as drawing approval. When the event occurs, it automatically submits a plot job to the queue server – without the need for manual intervention.

SF PLOT/EXPORT supports all Creo print formats. At the same time, attribute files are generated which contain all model and drawing parameters as well as database attributes.
The system consists of a plug-in (event logging), a queue server (job distribution on a FIFO basis) and a plot server (Creo-based plotting on a dedicated server). The computationally intensive processing takes place outside of Windchill.

No – the Plot Server runs on a separate server outside the Windchill environment. Only the lightweight plugin and the Queue Server require Windchill resources.

Yes – through customisation, output files can be configured to serve as direct input for ERP systems, EDM systems or long-term archives.

The Queue Server distributes tasks across several plot servers. As the volume increases, further instances can be added – flexibly and without changing the existing configuration.
SF PLOT/EXPORT is available for the current versions of Windchill supported by PTC. Compatibility is continuously checked.
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