Who do I work with at T-SIM?
What type of Support does T-SIM service department offer?
Our service department is available to take meetings to answer questions about Corrective Action Reports and we will also support new tool launches via phone and email to make adjustments to settings.
Where does T-SIM Service responsibility end?
T-SIM Service wants every new tooling project to be successful.
With most of our new tooling simulation services, our main goal is to ensure that each panel can be moved from station to station without interference, and at the highest possible SPM rate.
We will report on issues that may prevent that from happening, but our focus is transfer issues. Generally, it is the build shop's responsibility to ensure the die will function as it was designed including the following: as die opens the panels will be stable and in a repeatable location ready for pick-up, when panels are dropped-off they will settle and locate into stations accordingly, panels will lift out of stations without sticking or wedging in gages or pilots, and die conditions do not limit the SPM rate of the entire project.
Of course, T-SIM will make every effort to report issues that may prevent a die from entering production, but our main focus is on the transferability (movement) of the panels.
What happens if my R2 report is not clear?
Depending on the severity of the issues in the R2 report, T-SIM service may ask for a confirmation of changes or a full recheck simulation.
If the changes are minor and will not affect production, T-SIM will simply proceed to press setup package.
If the outstanding issues could affect production, then we will require
a confirmation of changes completed or a full recheck simulation.
How long does it take to complete a project?
Projects are broken into 3 phases and typical turn-around time is as follows:
R1 Simulation:
Once we receive the PO and CAD data to simulate, the average turnaround time for an R1 Simulation is 3-5 business days (*Depending on current workload and project complexity)
Projects typically take from 1-3 days to translate & set up, again depending on complexity and quality of the data.
The amount of time required to report will vary based on the number of issues found in the simulation. This can be as little as an hour or up to a full day or more.
When a CAR report or Press setup package is completed by a technician, it will go through a rigorous checking process. We allow 1-2 business days from the completion of the report for the checking process.
Projects are processed in the order we receive PO’s, and Stampers who have T-SIM specified in their standards also get priority. If timing will be a concern for a specific project, have T-SIM quote the job early and provide a PO to get in line.
Most jobs are fairly smooth and only require communication with the R1 and R2 deliverables. If T-SIM service department has questions about a specific job or specific press capabilities, we will reach out to the main project contact from the RFQ form information (whomever issued the PO), unless the stamper has provided the appropriate press maintenance contacts. In that situation we reach out to the plant contacts directly and include the project contact in the communication.
Does T-SIM offer meetings to review Corrective Action Reports (CAR's)?
Yes, T-SIM service department can provide a review meeting for each corrective action report (up to 30 minutes) if requested.
When does T-SIM make changes to the Automation, Travel Distances or Design?
T-SIM makes every effort to simulate exactly what is provided by the designer, but if changes can help the stamper reach their production goals, or prevent serious reworking of the die design, we will make those suggestions in the CAR report.
What am I supposed to do with the provided Step File?
If the step file was provided with the R1 or R2 report, then there were changes made in the automation (fingers), and you should update your design with the automation provided (specific CAD, including positions on panels).
Why does my R2 have more issues than my R1 report?
It is rare but sometimes a change cannot be made from the R1 results. So, the transfer curve must be edited to account for an obstruction that cannot be changed.
When a new simulation is completed based on the new transfer curve, then there are new issues to report. Another reason for more R2 issues is because the die design data provided to us for the R2 has changes in it that are not related to the requests in the R1 report. If significant changes were made to the panels or the die design, that were un-related to the R1 transfer simulation, the R2 will take more time to complete. Additional cost may apply, especially if an R3 is additionally required.
Does my press equipment need to be in good condition?
T-SIM works with any equipment and the better condition the equipment, the more accurate the results. T-SIM can account for bar slop and excessive movement with equipment by providing additional clearance during simulation and reduced acceleration rates in the specific motions that are affected for the press setup package. Consistency is really the key when it comes to T-SIM recipes. Yes, your die will be free and clear of issues but if your equipment is in poor condition, you should use T-SIM software to create an equipment study and see what your ROI would be if deciding to upgrade. For more information refer to T-SIM Uses.
The issues that may prevent T-SIM from providing a turn-key press setup package include: Slop or wear in the mechanical guidance of the bars, worn or inaccurate readouts or scales that keep the system from repeating exact locations, failing air switches that open and close grippers affecting part position repeatability, excessive shake or bounce because of worn transfer system or structurally weak bars, lose or worn EOAT receivers that allow excessive movement in the arms, inaccurate gripper timing advance needed to charge gripper airlines as SPM is increased, etc.
In addition, the press operator needs to be sufficiently trained to operate press and support launch team during new die and EOAT tryout. For more information refer "Press operator responsibilities"