Digitalization of Product Development and the Shopfloor Using an AI-Enabled NPD Platform

Time:

Feb 26, 2026 11:00AM EST

Speakers:

Chad Kymal, Antony John

Description:

Organizations across manufacturing industries are accelerating the digitalization of product development and shopfloor execution to improve traceability, quality, and speed to launch. A persistent challenge is the lack of seamless connectivity between engineering definitions—such as part prints, DFMEAs, and validation plans—and their execution on the shopfloor through PFMEAs, Control Plans, work instructions, inspections, and SPC monitoring. Fragmented tools and manual processes limit visibility, delay reaction to quality issues, and increase the risk of nonconforming products reaching customers.

An AI-enabled New Product Development (NPD) platform establishes a single digital thread from product definition through manufacturing execution. Engineering data is structured and digitally linked, enabling a consistent flow of part characteristics from design intent to manufacturing controls and inspection plans. Shopfloor data is collected in real time, providing immediate insight into process capability, variation, and emerging risks.

Artificial intelligence further enhances this digital foundation by continuously validating content, recommending improvements, and automating quality assurance activities that were traditionally manual and time-consuming. By combining digital connectivity with AI-driven intelligence, organizations can move from reactive quality management to proactive defect prevention, improved launch confidence, and sustained operational excellence.

Key Takeaways:

• Digital Part Print Management
  Learn how customer part prints can be digitally imported, ballooned, and converted into structured characteristics that automatically drive downstream quality and manufacturing processes.
• End-to-End Engineering and Manufacturing Linkages
  Understand how DFMEA, DVPR/Test Plans, Process Flows, PFMEA, Control Plans, and Work Instructions are digitally linked to maintain traceability and consistency throughout product development and launch.
• Enhanced Shopfloor Controls
  See how shopfloor execution is strengthened through tightly linked Control Plans, inspection sheets, and real-time SPC monitoring, enabling faster detection and response to out-of-control conditions.
• Built-in Prevention and effectively driving near-100% conformance
  Learn how digital controls combined alerts help proactively detect variation, enforce reaction plans, and ensure products are produced within specification—effectively driving near-100% conformance over time.
• AI-Enabled Quality and PPAP Readiness Discover how AI can validate, recommend, and generate PFMEAs and Control Plans