Why Would T-SIM’s Service Department Make Changes?
While we aim to avoid modifications, our priority is to ensure the highest possible strokes per minute (SPM), confirm that suppliers adhere to customer standards, and verify that the automation being simulated—whether fingers, grippers, or support rods—is the actual equipment that will be purchased and used in production.
If a die designer cannot implement a required change for optimizing the transfer curve, T-SIM will assess the constraints and offer alternative solutions, such as adjusting the automation, modifying the transfer curve, or altering travel distances. These adjustments may introduce new challenges that will need to be addressed.
If any automation or travel distance modifications require your approval, please contact our office at (616)-863-8630 to update your customer profile or include specific instructions on your T-SIM RFQ form. Keep in mind that requiring approval may extend delivery timelines by 2–3 days due to review processes.
Changes in Automation
When automation components (such as grippers or shovels) are provided in the design, we utilize them as long as they align with company standards and effectively transfer the panel between stations. If gripper mounts are not included, we typically add them to prevent clearance issues.
If a T-SIM Service technician makes any changes to automation—whether to gripper styles, positions, or components—the modifications will be documented in the Corrective Action Report (CAR), and a STEP file will be provided for customer review and implementation.
For projects requiring special automation or travel parameters that deviate from customer standards, we ask that you please specify these "job-specific requirements" on the T-SIM RFQ form so our technicians know to make an exception on a specific project.
When Does T-SIM Modify Automation?
During Process Planning:- Technicians may propose gripper style changes or repositioning to enhance tooling integrity, panel handling, or production speed during early planning.
Before R1 Simulation:
- If the supplied automation does not meet company standards, grippers and automation elements will be adjusted before the initial simulation.
- If a change can minimize die modifications or enhance SPM, gripper style or positioning may be modified in accordance with customer preferences.
Before R2 Re-Check Simulation:
- If the customer requests automation modifications based on T-SIM recommendations or R1 report findings.
- If certain R1 report issues cannot be resolved, adjustments to grippers or positioning may be necessary (e.g., repositioning due to an immovable heel).
Before a Press Package:
- We strive to minimize modifications before press package approval, but gripper positioning may be adjusted for clearance improvements.
- If a necessary change is identified to ensure smooth production, the customer will be notified, and an R3 simulation may be recommended.
Changes in Travel Distances
Our technicians frequently adjust lift and clamp strokes in the process or die design to refine press operation, improving smoothness and speed.
In some cases, travel distances are modified to prevent extensive design revisions due to significant interferences—for example, increasing clamp stroke to avoid finger-to-die crashes during the pitch return motion.
Changes in Transfer Recipe
If an R1 corrective action report (CAR) highlights clamp-in or clamp-out chokepoint issues that remain unresolved in R2 data, we will re-optimize transfer settings to clear chokepoints. The revised, lower SPM will be documented in the R2 corrective action report.
Although rare, transfer recipe modifications may also be necessary after the R2 CAR, prior to the creation of a Press Setup Package.
Changes in Die Design
T-SIM will only suggest die design modifications that could improve production outcomes. We try to avoid excessive tool modification in order to keep projects on time for the end stamper. In some instances, we may provide reference solids, but it remains the designer's responsibility to implement changes.