Why would T-SIM service department make changes?
We try to avoid making changes, but our goal is to ensure the highest possible SPM, that suppliers are working within the customer standards, and that the automation we are simulating is in fact the automation (fingers, grippers, or support rods) that will actually be purchased and used in production.
If a die designer is not able to make a change that is required to run an optimized curve, T-SIM will try to understand the reason they cannot make the change, and then provide other potential solutions such as different automation, or updated transfer curve, or changed travel distances. All of which, may create new issues that need to be addressed.
If changes in your automation designs or travel distances require approval, please contact our office at (616)-863-8630 to update your customer profile or include specific instructions on your T-SIM RFQ form. Please note, requiring approval for changes can increase deliveries by 2-3 days due to review time.
Changes in the Automation:
When automation (grippers, shovels, etc.) is supplied in the design, we utilize what is supplied, provided it fits within the company standards/preferences and is sufficient to transfer the panel from station to station. If gripper mounts are not included in the design, we will typically add those since they are potential clearance issues.
If a T-SIM Service technician makes ANY changes to the automation (changing grippers, styles, and/or positioning), the changes will be noted on the corrective action report and a STEP file will be supplied to the customer for review.
As a rule of thumb, if a specific job will require any special automation or travel requirements (outside of customer standards), please include that Job Specific information on the T-SIM RFQ Form.
When does T-SIM Service make changes to the automation?
During process planning:
·
Technicians
may identify opportunities to change style or re-locate grippers to improve
tooling integrity, panel handling, or production speed during the up-front process planning.
Before the R1 Simulation:
If
the supplied automation (in the design) does not fit within the company
standards, we will change the grippers and make appropriate changes to
automation before the simulation is completed.
·
If
there is an opportunity to minimize the die design changes required, or improve SPM,
we may change gripper styles or positioning, depending on your company preferences.
Before an R2 re-check Simulation:
If
the customer requests a change in automation based on a T-SIM service
recommendation or issues in R1 report.
·
If
an R1 report item cannot be corrected for one reason or another. Example: a heel
could not be moved due to a special requirement - we may adjust gripper
positioning or change the gripper style.
Before a Press Package:
·
We
try to avoid making any changes before a press package. If gripper positions can be altered to improve clearances, automation may be adjusted.
If there is a situation
that we believe requires a change to work in production, the customer will be
notified, and an R3 simulation may be requested.
Changes in Travel Distance:
Our service techs will often adjust the lift and/or clamp stroke provided in the process or die design to create a smoother or faster press recipe.
At times, travel distances may also be adjusted to prevent major design changes from severe interferences. Example: increasing clamp stroke because of finger-to-die crashes during pitch return.
Changes in Transfer Recipe:
If an R1 CAR includes issues that involve the Clamp-In and Clamp-Out chokepoints, and they are NOT corrected in the R2 data we receive, we will re-optimize the settings to clear the chokepoints and report the reduced SPM on the cover of the R2 corrective action report.
While rare, the same change in transfer recipe may also occur after the R2 CAR, before the press setup package.
Changes in Die Design:
T-SIM will ONLY MAKE SUGGESTIONS for changes in the die design to provide a better production result for the customer. T-SIM may provide reference solids, but it is the designers responsibility to make the changes in the die design.
A better production result may include the following: increased SPM, quicker setup time, or simply running a tool without any crash or clearance issues.