The Metals Service Industry appears to be making a huge move in Data Processing, from a variety of accounting systems to SAP. Service vendors are looking closely at developments but they are not without grief and huge real costs in retraining. SAP itself is a 1974 company from Germany where manufacturing is king. Conceived as an open modular system, it has grown to dominate Germany's biggest industries. The problem for the Metals Service Industry is that they are not really manufacturers, they are disassemblers. SAP has the ability to look after every aspect of a factory in which things are made from components into assemblies. Unfortunately there are few if any software systems which look after things which are disassembled, such as plates. In this model, a single part is cut into many parts, repeatedly.

At FastCAM, we are looking closely at this situation as the various FastCAM systems are used extensively in the production side of all the businesses. We are looking closely to integrate FastCAM productivity and computational tools with SAP through the open interface allowed for third parties. This standardization on a single MIS system will produce a very effective match with the standardization on FastCAM systems, once the two are integrated. It is especially true of the revolutionary FastCAM Quoter system now being trialled at various sites.

One of the most time-consuming tasks in the Steel industry (and manufacturing in general) is Quoting and Estimating. In a world where margins are tight and just-in-time delivery is crucial it's often the fastest response that wins the business. Customers want a quick competitive price, so "Guesstimates" are common.

FastCAM’s long experience in fabrication and IT has allowed us to produce a unique range of products to address the very specific needs of processing. Estimates can be prepared based on accurate and fast calculations using real shop times and material costs. Nesting and material optimization further improve productivity and margins. You quote your best price, everytime, instantly!

Users can simply and quickly prepare quotations for profiled components for all brands of burning machines, Oxy-fuel, plasma, laser or Water-jets. The software contains a comprehensive library of common parts that can be selected; basic dimensions are entered with material type, thickness and quantities. Alternatively, customer supplied DXF files can be selected from the same menu. Parts are then nested onto available stock including remnant stock, providing a full printed quotation based on all materials, machine processing costs, materials handling, delivery, in fact, all costs related to the job. Customers can be faxed or emailed directly from the desktop and the integrated SQL database tracks all quotations. Quotations can be marked as won, lost or pending. The powerful reporting features are extremely useful for sales managers, production planners and estimators. Output can even be used directly in CAM systems for processing.

The FastCAM® Quoter Modular System covers Rod, Bar, Beam, Channel, Tube, Plate & Sheet. Specifically, Profile Quoter, Linear Quoter, Shear Quoter, Inventory Quoter & Remnant Quoter. Not forgotten is the laborsome task of Material Take-Off, a lengthy procedure for Structural Fabricators and MSC’s. FastCAM® MTO software is crucial to this process as it allows rapid entry of components and sorting into a detailed list without the tiresome manual take-off. FastCAM® MTO software will be made available in the FREE DEMOS of our website over the next couple of weeks. Our next newsletter will also feature this new technology from FastCAM.

Our FastCAM® Quoter range is designed to be "off-the-shelf" however we're also currently working in partnership with some customers to implement and fine-tune a customized quotation system. If you're interested in any of these quotation solutions please email Chris Douglass at our Chicago Office.

We are receiving renewed interest in our unique TEXT MARKER technology (an option within FastCAM RRP$495), which is becoming of critical importance for many of our customers because it really extracts value from the machine. Uniquely, it uses stroked characters with minimal machine movement to mark letters and numbers onto parts. It can convert CAD text into machine stroke fonts. Very useful for lasers and a real boon for plasma machines with plasma markers.

The technology utilizes a low power plasma torch to write directly onto cut components. Users simply need to add the required text at the CAD stage or within the FastCAM system and the process will automatically add text to all components within the nest. In addition to needing FastCAM® NC v5+, a suitable Plasma torch will need to be fitted to the Burning machine. Some users have fitted marking pens to the normal torch station for extremely good results where a semi permanent mark is required such as with Aluminium or Stainless Steels. This technique is also useful for Carbon steel where the surface finish is very good.

With our ability to software protect our programs, we are now able to offer full-working trial software. FastCUT®, FastSHAPES® and Kerf will run for 30 days from installation. FontGEN and Outline permit 5x uses. After you download the software from the web, simply type in this Activation code A0C8283C.

Congratulations to Jim Daniels of KP Welding and Fabrication in Wisconsin, USA, who was the lucky USA/EUROPE Winner of $1,000 worth of FastCAM software, having subscribed to our free e-newsletter during the promotion timeframe.

Congratulations to Keith Beckett of TENIX Defence, in Western Australia, who was the lucky ASIA/PAC Winner of $1,000 worth of FastCAM software.

We're interested in hearing from customers and resellers! If you have news that you think will be of interest to our reader base, we invite you to email us!

Copyright 2003, FastCAM Inc.

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