Here's a list of some of the new features built and released over the last few months.
1. GagesWe've made a number of improvements to:
-- Gage Calibration
-- Gage Transaction (Issue / Return Gages)
-- Gage Kits (Groups of gages specific to a Part Number)
-- Gage R&R
First, to reflect the increasing capabilities, Gages have been moved from Master Data into a separate tab "Gages" in the system:
Second, we've separated out the Gage Calibration and Gage Transaction (Issue / Return) screens into two separate tiles (see above). Transactions are now tracked with their own lifecycle, so you know what transactions are "Open" (i.e. gages are issued to the floor), and what transactions are "Closed" (i.e. gages have been returned to storage)
And third, we've added the ability to create and manage Gage Kits. Gage Kits are useful when you make pin gages, thread gages, or other gages that are custom to a Part Number or a Family of Parts. Gage Kits also reduce the number of transactions the tool-crib has to handle. As an example, a kit of 25 gages, can be issued or returned with a single transaction, instead of transacting 25 gages individually. When needed, an individual gage can be "loaned" out from a gage kit. [Please contact us if you need the Gage Kits functionality].
2. Resources TabFor each Manufacturing Inspection, you can now record the resources used by Operation. For example, if OP 20 is a Milling Operation, you can record the Machine ID the job was run on, and the Operator Name. For Outside Processing Operations (e.g. Plating, Anodizing, Cleaning, Heat Treatment etc.), you can log the Supplier Name.
3. Analytics: Manufacturing & Receiving Performance The manufacturing performance run-chart can be filtered by Group Identifier (e.g. Cavity), Resources (Machine ID, Operator), and Inspection Type (FAI, In Process, Final). Similarly, the receiving performance run-chart can be filtered by Supplier.
4. Go-To InspectionFor customers that do not track production using Work Orders or Jobs, you can now create inspections by date. Clicking Go-To Inspection will automatically create a new Inspection for that part number (if one doesn't exist for that day), or take you to an existing inspection for that part number (if one has already been created for that day). This reduces the effort for the factory technician to locate the correct inspection record, and reduces chances of errors. [Please contact us if you need Go-To Inspection functionality.]
5. Time-Based Sampling inspectionWe can now automatically generate a time-template for time-based sampling inspections. The template is displayed in the first column and displays the recommended time for data collection. For example, in the screenshot below, one measurement is required every 2 hours beginning at 7:00 am (the time the inspection was created).
[Please contact us if you need Time-Based Sampling functionality.]
6. Unit ConversionPreviously, in some boundary cases, a part could pass in the converted units but then fail in the original units depending on how the spec was truncated and rounded after conversion.
We have now made improvements to the unit conversion capability to ensure that in-spec and out-of-spec determinations are always consistent in both the converted units and the original units.
Here's an example:
Original:
Converted:
IMPORTANT:Converted specs have an asterisk that signifies the following:
1. Spec Display Precision:
-- When the spec is converted from
mm to inch we display up to 5 decimal places in the spec.
-- When the spec is converted from
inch to mm we display up to 3 decimal places in the spec.
2. Actual Precision:
-- However, Behind the scenes, we go out to 10 places after the decimal to ensure that in-spec and out-of-spec determination is always consistent between the original and converted units.
(Unit conversion capability can be found under Plan -> Properties -> Convert from mm to inch or inch to mm.)
And, as always, we are available to answer any questions. We also welcome any feedback related to these or other changes. You can reach us at the email or number below.
