[MUSIC] This is the second module in the first course in the Digital Manufacturing and Design specialization. Introduction to Digital Manufacturing Manufacturing and Design, I'm Ken English, and we'll continue to guide you through this shift to a new approach in making products. This module, we'll introduce you to the core components of a digital manufacturing and design paradigm, that create a future manufacturing enterprise. In other words, a digital link between design and production, leveraging data analytics to identify opportunities for increased quality and efficiency. Interconnected, and transparent machines, production facilities, and supply chains. After completing this module, you'll be able to give a basic definition of the components that integrate into a digital manufacturing enterprise. The digital thread, advanced analysis, intelligent machining, the advanced manufacturing enterprise, the digital manufacturing commons, and digital manufacturing security. Working with experts in the field you will explore each topic in more depth in the future as you continue on in the DMD101 Specialization. [MUSIC] Our first lesson, in this module, provides an introduction to the digital thread and how it affects the product life cycle. After finishing this lesson, you'll be able to state the definition of the digital thread, and explain to others how it can affect the product life cycle. In the first module, we talked through the product life cycle using the definition provided by Michael Grieves's 2006 book on the topic. From the initial concept, products evolve through a regular sequence of plan, design, build, support, and dispose. During each of these stages, an enormous amount of data is generated. Although traditionally, much of it has not been captured, it can be processed into very valuable information that can impact the product life cycle in many different ways. A name's been given to describe all of the data generated in every part of a product's life cycle- the digital thread. The digital thread concept seamlessly integrates information through the value chain from requirements gathering through feasibility reviews, design, manufacturing, testing, and on to final sustainment and disposal phases. This means specialists, throughout the process, can work on the product, and process definitions simultaneously to inform decisions, through the life of a system or product. While promising, adoption of the digital thread was initially limited, but has continued to gain momentum. Like any paradigm shift, the digital thread approach is potentially disruptive, especially to organizations that do not have in house information technology resources. For example, the information technology foundation for the digital thread has typically been viewed as overhead, simply a cost of doing business that needs to be reduced. The digital thread paradigm views the IT infrastructure as an investment that will generate a return in increased productivity and responsiveness. A second challenge, facing the digital thread, is the transitioning profile of manufacturing jobs from skilled to smart or information workers that combine their expertise with physical systems, and the ability to work with the data generated in the production process. This change will more tightly link production staff with the design process. Giving them more opportunities to impact the design of a product that they create. A third challenge facing the digital thread implementation is natural. How do we keep the information secure? Traditional processes used physical documents that could be controlled and locked up. There's a natural resistance to putting valuable intellectual property in digital form, especially as retailers seemingly report intrusions on a regular basis. Information security is a key component of the digital thread, and as we all see, is incorporated from the beginning. Sharing data and information between different functions and systems of the product life cycle can add significant value to the entire development process. Some examples are, faster product launches, clearer communication between suppliers and manufacturers, resulting in fewer errors, reduced rework and scrap. Reduced inventory in the supply chain. Reduced unit product cost which increases profit margin. And even the expansion to additional markets. In the following units, we'll work through additional components that, along with the digital thread, come together to form the digital manufacturing and design paradigm. Advanced analysis, intelligent machining, the advanced manufacturing enterprise, the digital manufacturing commons, and information security in digital manufacturing.