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July 2004 |
FastCAM e-Newsletter, Free to Subscribers |
Issue#
8 |
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FastCAM Inc. has a no-spam policy. This newsletter was sent to you as a registered customer or subscriber. News is strictly industry and product related.
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Developments in fabrication technology have delivered vastly improved production efficiencies and NC profiling has been one of the most significant.
Cutting speeds and quality with new Plasma Technologies means few components are cut today via the old manual methods. Future gains in areas such as nesting won't continue to offer the original 'wow factor'. Obviously all improvements are worthwhile, even if marginal, however we now need to look at where the biggest improvements in productivity can be made and invest there.
Given that the nesting is mostly mature, the areas that can best improve our business are the Quotation, Optimization and getting the contract in the first place. Maximizing return from remnant materials, managing just in time inventory (plate tracking) and connecting production (from enquiry to production to delivery). FastCAM R&D projects are firmly focused in these areas so we can supply complete systems for the profitable supply of processed steel.
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- SPECIAL OFFER
- Today's Challenge - Speed without costly errors
- NEW Speedy e-Support
- FastCAM China Wins Award
- New version of FastCAM MTO (FREE) Plus Getting Started Video Instruction
- How Do I? Adding Sections & Bolt-Holes to MTO
- How to Contribute or Ask a Question
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe
information
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Upgrade to FastCAM 5.9 and receive extra functionality for FREE!
Until the 16th July 2004, existing FastCAM users can upgrade to v5.9 and receive the following NEW features (valued at over $2000) for FREE
- Gas-Axe
- AutoCAD DWG Import
- Common Cut Pairs (FastCAM Professional Only)
- Text Marking (requires a suitable marking device fitted to machine)
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Speed is everything in today’s market. Everyone needs to get their product to market faster and it seems that many jobs have less built in tolerances for just in time delivery. Customers will pay for faster service but how to improve turnaround and maintain profits? Speed without compromise.
The procurement process is divided into two logical business processes: the RFQ process of requesting, receiving, and processing quotations, and the purchase process of actually placing orders. In the metal service industry, both can take hours if not days. Aside from standard stock quotes, there are a number of value-added processes like blanking, tempering, plate burning, laser welding, and precision machining of steel parts. There are many discreet costs and inventory control must also be taken into account. The length of time taken to quote and enter jobs can in turn put a lot of undue pressure on production with less margin for error.
To dramatically increase turnaround, the industry has to depend less on manual processes to select, check, configure, and create quotations, as well as to generate BOMs, quote drawings, and enter orders.
The quotation process is a key factor in the success of any business and having the ability to automate and optimize this area will deliver dramatic gains. Watch some sample videos or Request More Info.
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A big time-delay for some of our customers is having to collect a lot of information and files necessary for our support staff to duplicate a specific problem. Or we have to go back and forth asking various questions. This can sometimes add pressure for customers on critical jobs.
To solve this problem, we have added a service email facility to all current versions of our FastCAM products. This will allow a "one click service" which will automatically zip up all the information required to simulate the problem, including a screen shot so that our support staff have everything they need to work on a solution. The email-support facility will be available in approx 2-4 weeks time. An email will be sent directly to SMA's giving details of where to download it.
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Congratulations to our own China & Pacific Asia Manager, Mr Hao Li. Hao was honored for his seminar on "The Application of FastSHAPES" at Shanghai Welding Show last month. He was presented with a certificate and award. An achievement given that our Shanghai office was disrupted in June with the move to bigger and better premises.
***** Well done Hao! *****
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FastCAM® MTO automates the take-off process and eliminates the need to re-key information supplied by customers in a spreadsheet. The software is free.
The new Version (1.0.8) resolves some minor issues with sorting of reports and is a recommended download for ALL users. Another mod has been added to better instinctively select sections based on user input. You simply install the new version over the top of your current copy.
Click here to download the new version or Click here to learn more about FastCAM® MTO.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A Getting Started Video Tutorial can be found at www.fastpart.biz!
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How Do I ADD SECTIONS to FastCAM MTO?
To do this start MTO, then select Setup -> Catalog from the menu. Then click in the sections grid and choose Edit -> Add Rows from the menu. A new row will be appended to the end of the grid. Then fill this row in with your required Section. Click Save then Apply. The order of the last step is important. It must be saved then applied.
How Do I Add bolt/holes to MTO?
Using the Detail option of the data entry line:
WH = Web Hole. FH = Flange Hole. In the online help for FastCAM MTO refer to the section Intelligent Data Entry. This can be found under Edit Commands -> On Line Editor in the help file.
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We're interested in hearing from customers and resellers! If you have news or can suggest a topic that you think will be of interest to our reader base or if you have a fabrication problem to solve, we invite you to email us!
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Copyright 2004, FastCAM Inc.
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© 2004, FastCAM Inc. |
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