HMS Software strengthens process planning system
Keywords: Aerospace industry, Software, Process planning
HMS Software is introducing a new module to its HMS-CAPP cumputer-aided process planning system specifically designed for those companies in the aerospace and defence industries, needing strict control over managing engineering changes. With HMS-MCM (HMS-Manufacturing Change Management), change is said to be an integrated extension of the manufacturing process, and not the disruptive process it has often been considered to be. By providing full documentation and validation of engineering changes, the new HMS-MCM module reportedly enables users of HMS-CAPP to take full control of their new product introduction by planning and controlling manufacturing processes earlier in the process cycle.
When introducing new products, many engineering and manufacturing organisations still rely on frequent change board meetings, outdated systems and manual tracking of job status and changes. However, these are all inadequate for today's real-time, technical, highly integrated information environments. Manufacturers now need systems that not only track change, but also provide a platform that enables them to access the data and graphics, manage the change,evaluate its progress, make mid-course corrections and oversee the changes in real time, using the most up-to-date version of the information.
Designed for maximum flexibility, HMS- MCM is said to keep the user ahead of change by combining comprehensive documentation management with the ability to route, audit and rnonitor each change from initiation through to final manufacture. It identifies and displays drawings, parts, specifications and other associated documents. In addition, it is claimed to integrate seamlessly with existing product data management or other engineering control systems.
Among the many other features claimed of HMS-MCM is the ability to store details on all activities that support the change process. The system provides a continuously available record of when a change was received by a group, who performed tasks associated with the change and when was it made. In addition, it supplies details such as the estimated effort needed to perform each task, which documents have been modified and the age of each change in relation to other changes.
Sign-off cycles within HMS-MCM are stated to provide robust, flexible tools that deliver each electronic package to the appropriate groups and individuals,and pre- defined workflows with email notification or alert notices and work queues allow engineers to modify the routings if necessary.
As well as offering access to documents that are directly connected with each change, HMS-MCM is reported to contain powerful tools to enable the analysis of associated inventory, purchase orders, manufacturing orders, materials and other items. Anyone who needs to know the latest status of a change is said to be provided with the information at the appropriate time, and the information on a particular change can be supplied for all active changes. With data from completed records, the user can estimate new work or to monitor efficiency within the enterprise.
Other key features claimed include the ability to differentiate between engineering, production and other changes, the option of 'quick create' change records to manage and document shop requests and generic planning changes, and flexible routings, which include streamlined electronic workflow and routing. Records can be assigned to a department, group or individual, and all routings are stored and automatically updated as they are worked and closed.
Details available from: HMS Software Tel: +44 (0) 1746 766439; Fax: +44 (0)1746 768395; E-mail: gknight@hmsware.com;Website: http://www.hmssoftware.com
