PRLog (Press Release) –
Mar 21, 2008 – In the current issue of The Machinist, leading manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, profiled the importance of statistical process control in the machine tooling sector. Cutler suggested, “The term ‘machine tooling’ covers a vast array of companies and manufacturers worldwide. Software solutions proclaiming complete process improvements are many; few actually deliver. The machine tool and component manufacturers can drive bottom-line impacts rather quickly with the use of software solutions in several specific areas. Recently a supplier of transmission components for automobile and heavy equipment industries could not manage production to meet a large customer’s demand–the customer was threatening to award the contract to another supplier. There was an urgent need to expand capacity and prevent their competition from capturing the business. Even though employees in one department were working three shifts, seven days a week to meet production quotes, they fell short of the target output. Senior management assumed the only way to add capacity was to add machinery. This was a high-risk strategy due to the large capital expense and increased labor headcount required.”
According to Evan J. Miller, President and CEO of Hertzler Systems, “Senior leaders believe that if they know more about the true capacity of the equipment in the department and the reasons for machine down time, they could optimize and improve equipment utilization. Once they had this knowledge, they believed they would be able to make more intelligent decisions about expanding the department.”
Miller provided the software mechanism -- a means to track each machine by the minute, recording setup times, maintenance and run times. This information was then captured automatically in a database, along with detailed information from the operator. With this information stored in a central database the manufacturers created multilevel Pareto charts to help determine how many non-value-added minutes were spent on various activities, such as fixing electrical problems or making adjustments.
According to Miller, “Over a six month period the department went from a seven-day work week to a five-day work week, saving more than $100,000 in overtime costs. Simultaneously, the company increased its output by more than twenty-five percent, while minimizing defects and scrap. Increasing productivity on existing equipment allowed the company to avoid purchasing additional equipment, thereby saving millions of dollars.”
Hertzler Systems (www.hertzler.com) provides seamless, accurate data acquisition solutions that drive business transformation. The company provides the leading real-time data acquisition and analytics software, the GainSeeker Suite. This powerful and flexible system is best used by lean and progressive companies. Gainseeker Suite allows companies to connect with devices and other information systems, collecting data and alarming key personnel when problems arise; this technology allows organizations to analyze data for root cause problems, converting data into knowledge.
Hertzler Systems has been a leader in Statistical Process Control and Six Sigma for over twenty years, and includes a diverse customer base in service, transactional and manufacturing environments; clients include BAE Systems, Crown Audio, IDEX Corporation, McCormick & Company, Inc., Hormel Foods Corporation, Titleist & Footjoy, and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Worldwide. The company's software and services enable clients to collect and analyze data; building a robust data infrastructure for making data-driven decisions. These capabilities help clients to reduce costs, cycle time and errors, and increase profitability.
Hertzler Systems Inc.
www.hertzler.com
Adrienne DePew
Communications Manager
info@hertzler.com
800.958.2709
