Page 22 - MetalForming October 2012

Software for Manufacturing
Software Allows Fabricator to Boost Cost-Estimating Speed by 70 Percent
When Landoll Corp.,
Marysville, KS, looked to
streamline its cost-estimating
process by investing in new
software (in 2007), little did it
know that the returns would
be as significant as they have
been. Since that time, the
company has experienced a
70-percent decrease in turn-
around time on estimates,
as well as reaping the benefits of more accurate quotations. The software of choice: Costimator, from MTI Systems, Inc, West Springfield, MA.
Landoll designs and fabricates a varied product line of light and heavy equipment for the transportation, material-handling and agricultural industries. Describing its new estimating software, manufacturing engineering supervisor Alan Koch says: “Even when the end user has minimal computer experience or limited manufacturing knowl- edge, he can use the program. Our cost estimators work in a time-sensitive and high- ly competitive manufacturing environment. We find that with Costimator, they can pro- duce consistently accurate estimates regardless of their manufacturing experience.”
Because Landoll produces such a range of products for an eclectic set of customers, its estimating software must be all-inclusive and flexible in order to yield accurate job quotes and process plans for an array of machining, fabricating and assembly jobs. Says engineer Scott Padgett: “Because we have to quote such a wide spectrum of jobs, we need an all-encompassing program that can help us meet those needs—and do it quickly. We get a consistent flow of requests-for-quotes into our department, and with Costimator, we can tweak a lot of our existing cost-models to meet our needs. The models that come with the system are easy to modify, and cre- ating new ones is a very straight-forward process.”
MTI Systems, Inc.: 800/644-4318; www.mtisystems.com
New Service Creates Searchable Database Empowering OEMs to Make Optimum Sourcing Decisions
• Understand and leverage common raw-material requirements across parts and suppliers, to earn preferential pricing and contract terms from distributors and mills.
• Identify parts using non-standard raw materials or sizes, to facilitate stan- dardization efforts and improve the effi- ciency of purchasing.
Jones explained that the Part Attribute Characterization begins when customers provide digital blueprints and other data to Supply Dynamics. Using the com- bined efforts of analysts, engineers and proprietary software, part attributes are accurately documented with consistent formats and wording conventions. The final result is an easily searchable data- base that empowers the customer to make the best sourcing decisions.
One Supply Dynamics customer uses Part Attribute Characterization results to verify that the raw materials being ordered by its outside parts suppliers meet required testing and QA requirements. And another customer uses the service to corroborate engineering assumptions related to assembly weights.
Supply Dynamics: www.supplydynamics.com
Accuride Corp. to Deploy Cloud-Based ERP Solution
The business units of commercial-vehi- cle-industry supplier Accuride Corp., Auburn Hills, MI, which includes Accuride Wheels (steel and forged-aluminum wheels), Gunite (brake drums, disc-wheel hubs, etc.) and Imperial Group (truck body and chassis components), will soon deploy Plex Systems’ software-as-a-service ERP system. Accuride’s new ERP solution will allow it to consolidate information cur- rently coming from seven separate sys- tems running more than 200 applications. As a result, the firm expects to be able to improve financial performance thanks to more timely and accurate financial report- ing; improve quality and inventory control; and implement common standards across all of its plants and business units. Plex: 248/391-8000; www.plex.com
Supply Dynamics Cincinnati, OH, has introduced Part Attribute Characterization, a new software-enabled service that identifies part-manufacturing processes and common raw-material requirements across hundreds and thousands of parts. Capturing the attributes enables OEM companies to match part-manufacturing requirements with outside supplier capa- bilities, and to collaborate with suppliers when purchasing common raw materials.
“Understanding common part attrib- utes is a critical issue for companies seek- ing to improve cost and service levels across their extended supply chains,” says
Scott Jones, director of operations at Sup- ply Dynamics.
Part Attribute Characterization helps OEMs and suppliers:
• Classify parts by attribute, such as pri- mary or secondary manufacturing process, special processes, material type, part fin- ish, part size and quality requirements.
• Match part attributes to specific sup- pliers capabilities, to accelerate the request-for quotation (RFQ) process and maximize savings.
• Maximize the number of parts awarded on any RFQ, qualifying for volume discounts.
20 MetalForming/October 2012
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