Ford Electronics Manufacturing Corporation
PRODUCT USED:
Global Supply Chain
Phase I
· Annual labor savings of $1,000,000
· Annual facility savings of $60,000
· Floor space savings of 10,000 sq.ft.
Phase II
· Potential annual labor savings of $940,000
· Potential floor space savings of 10,000 sq. ft.

Caterpillar, Inc.
SIM Technologies Corporation awarded contract for Flexible Manufacturing Simulation System (FMSS) software
September 1, 2006

OUR COMPANY
SIM Technologies Corporation (STC) is an independent, professional engineering services firm, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in understanding and solving production and logistics bottlenecks in the areas of scheduling, resource utilization, capacity constraints, inventory, and supply chain management.

SIM Technologies Corporation projects range from optimizing the throughput of an existing production/assembly line, the complete design of a new facility or the entire global supply chain process of a company.  In each project, our focus is to save our customers’ money.  If, after initial consultations, we do not believe we can accomplish this, we will not accept the assignment. We can at the clients request, facilitate the implementation of our recommendations.  SIM Technologies Corporation is independent from any equipment or system vendors.  This allows us to provide recommendations to our customers that are totally unbiased.

OUR MISSION
To be considered by our customers as the best independent and dedicated resource they can use to solve their production, scheduling, logistics and supply chain problems.  To be recognized as a key factor in significantly reducing our customer’s capital and operating costs in order to maximize profits.

OUR PEOPLE
SIM Technologies Corporation’s principal assets are the stature, reputation and experience of our people.  Each member of our staff has been selected for his or her in-depth knowledge, which span multiple business disciplines.  Each has more than 15 years of experience from both a technical and financial perspective, in a broad range of industries. 

OUR CUSTOMERS
Over the years, SIM Technologies Corporation's reputation has been built by the success of its customers.   We take pride in the fact that over 70% of our projects come from our existing customer base.

Representative Client Summary - (1993 - 2007)

OUR PROMISE TO YOU
For a complete, affordable, sound, bottom-line driven solution, SIM Technologies Corporation can be an extension of your resources.

OUR APPROACH
SIM Technologies Corporation employs an Advanced Manufacturing Analysis technique (AMA).   This approach utilizes the in depth process knowledge of it's staff to create a computer model representing the system or process requiring analysis.

AMA is used to cost effectively identify where to apply resources to 'solve' problems and potentially, save capital.   AMA will rapidly evaluate multiple processes to achieve desired targets before actually committing capital expenditures.

SIM Technologies Corporation will involve the customer every step of the way in its approach to solving the client's problem.   SIM Technologies Corporation's proven approach encompasses an on-site meeting to first discuss the system/process definition.   We will then co-develop a functional specification with objectives, assumptions, system description, and approval verification.   We will next move to the data collection phase to gather all pertinent information required to build the 'Baseline' simulation model.   Once developed and validate by the client.   SIM Technologies Corporation will proceed to analyze and optimize the information in order to provide the customer with a complete package consisting of: recommendations, documentation, and training.

SOFTWARE TOOLS
The software tools developed to solve manufacturing and distribution problems have been so successful, that our customer's have requested for this capability within their own operations.   The following is a listing of the some of software packages currently available from SIM Technologies Corporation.

MODEL INPUTS
The following is a SAMPLE representation of a Capacity Planning System input screen.   This screen is the main menu which will allow the user to access all of the input and output screens.  

MODEL OUTPUTS
The following are SAMPLE representations of a Capacity Planning System output.

The Production Build Plan/Simulation Results show the quantity of parts produced (by part number and time period) based on the computer simulation versus the required quantity of parts (by part number and time period).

The Station Utilization Results show how much of the available station capacity was used during the time period simulated.   The results are displayed in a tabular format and are average utilizations.

 This chart is a graphical representation (bar chart) of the average StationUtilization.

The Station Queue Results indicate the average, maximum, and final values of the number of parts queued at each station (in a tabular format).  

This chart is a graphical representation (bar chart) of the average, maximum and final values for each Station Queue size.

CASE STUDIES

Company:	Daimler-Chrysler Corporation - Automotive Manufacturer
Product Used:	Capacity Planning and Scheduling System
Objectives:	Created a digital simulation model that was used to assist in production planning. The model was used to determine; Machinery Requirements, Machinery Utilization, Rack Requirements, Rack Storage Space Requirements and Potential Cost and Floor Space Savings.
Results:	An existing manufacturing process was already in place to produce metal stampings. The production requirements were going to increase. The initial project modeled the current machinery running existing part requirements to determine line utilization percentages so a comparison analysis could be run for production increases for model year. Next, the model was used to produce a Rack requirement analysis comparing current plus increased production rates. The model was then used to determine the correct number of Racks and Floor Space requirements necessary to meet production requirements. The model clearly indicated that a proliferation of existing handling racks was not required to satisfy the new production requirements and in fact, an excess number of racks occupying expensive floor space could be recovered at a savings of over $16 million and more than 400,000 square feet.
Objectives:	Determine the throughput capability and any potential bottleneck areas of a proposed manufacturing process used to produce differential cases.
Results:	An existing manufacturing process was already in place to produce differential cases. The production requirements were going to increase by 50%. The initial proposal included the duplication of the existing process to accommodate the increase in production. A computer simulation model was built of the proposed system. The model clearly indicated that a duplication of the existing process was not required to satisfy the new production requirements. The major impact of this work effort was the avoidance of unnecessary cost for a direct duplication of the current system, which was in excess of $2 million.

Company:	Ford Electronics Manufacturing Corporation - Automotive Component Manufacturer
Product Used:	Capacity Planning and Scheduling System
Objectives:	Determine the following for the Instrument Cluster Assembly, Test, and Packaging operations:  » Identify a more cost effective assembly and test method for the Instrument Cluster product families (in terms     of equipment and personnel)  » System throughput capability  » Develop a system to include the Flexibility/Adaptability to accommodate changes in the production     requirements  » Improve floor space utilization
Results:	Phase I  » Annual labor savings of $1,000,000  » Annual facility savings of $60,000  » Floor space savings of 10,000 sq.ft. Phase II  » Potential annual labor savings of $940,000  » Potential floor space savings of 10,000 sq. ft.

Company:	Harpers - Office Furniture Manufacturer
Product Used:	Capacity Planning and Scheduling System
Objectives:	Develop a computer simulation model of a new Automated Electrostatic Paint Line System to identify cost effective methods to improve throughput capability to determine if a rate of 90 carriers per hour could be achieved.
Results:	Before modeling for improvements, the current rate for carriers per hour was 46. Color change rates were in excess of 700 per 8-hour day. Rework was planned at approximately 30 percent. After building the model to establish the "baseline" process, a scheduling methodology was created and tested for a prime shift period. The results produced a minimum of 54 carriers/hr. with a maximum of 103 carriers/hr. and an average of 78 carriers per hour. There were 445 color changes and rework reduced to approximately 18 percent.

Company:	AMP Incorporated - Electrical Connector Manufacturerd
Product Used:	Capacity Planning and Scheduling System
Objectives:	Determine the requirements to increase Earned Hours / Total Hours worked by 20% for 4 plating lines at the Hamilton Street Plating Process facility.
Results:	The existing process required 3 dedicated operators for each plating line. STC developed computer models of the existing process lines and identified the solution necessary to achieve the current and forecasted production requirements with fewer operators. The model indicated that the production requirements could be achieved by dedicating 1 operator for each plating line and using 5 floating operators to support any of the 4 plating lines. This resulted in an annual Labor Savings of $335,000.

Company:	Deere and Company - Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer
Product Used:	Capacity Planning and Scheduling System
Objectives:	Create a computer simulation model of a new Paint Line System prior to construction and installation in order to define the following parameters:  » Conveyor system logic  » Optimum number of load spurs  » Paint process purge strategy  » Required length of cooling conveyors  » Sizing of storage areas during normal operation and purge cycles
Results:	The system simulations were performed before actual installation in the plant. This allowed the system designs to be optimized, the operating strategies to be defined in advance and saved considerable amount of time, money, and bad surprises during the startup phases. The animated models were used first as a communication tool between Deere and the system contractors. After the installation of the system, the computer simulation and animations were used as an operation and scheduling tool for the plant employees.

We look forward to offering you a more in-depth look at SIM Technologies Corporation's experience and capabilities Questions and inquiries can be answered via...

Phone: (513) 753-6258
Fax: (513) 753-1173
E-Mail: STCEMAIL@AOL.COM
WWW.SIMTECHCORP.COM