Speed is of the essence when it comes to processing incoming inquiries, and calculating and preparing competitive offers. But it has to be fast. Yes, in hours and not after several days or weeks. But with the speed, the accuracy of the calculation in the tool shop must not be neglected. A mix of experience, process knowledge, know-how, and the right software tools such as Excel and Co. are the least that is needed. But that yes every professional has at hand for cost calculation in tool making. But what do you do when time is short and the requests start piling up? So you still need that certain something to be more successful than your competition. Read this article to find out how you can implement it effectively without having to tie yourself to yet another software logjam.
Mr. Meier is head of costing in a medium-sized supplier company. They are quite broadly positioned with their range of parts. Business is good, but the margins are tight. Customers always expect a good and attractive price and a fast quotation. Only the first few get into the narrow selection. Those who come too late have only trouble and work but hardly chances. Because only those who keep their response times short and then also achieve a competitive price level can hold their own in the market and hold their own against their competition. And that competition is tough - very tough.
Mr. Meier is currently dealing with a complex inquiry package. A large customer - not only in his company - has made the inquiry.
As said, competition is tough, margins are tight. Now there's that: If you want the order, you have to be a step ahead of the competition. Because the course for the company's success is set in the technical calculation in toolmaking.
This is how it works in a regular case: The "old hands" in the company have to put their heads together. "Haven't we had a similar assembly before? That was back then for the, what was it called? ..." The guesswork starts, because every experienced estimator knows exactly that there has been a similar request before. But nothing helps. You have to redo the entire calculation after all. If you could have in your head all the requests of the last 8 years of all your company locations and all the current projects, that would be a heroic achievement. Wouldn't it be? It is. Mr. Meier knows that.
Normally, you go to the AV, and possibly talk to the experts there. If they have time for you. Mostly not, because they have their own construction sites. This costs you time - which you do not have.
This is not the case with Mr. Meier. He is relaxed and has already prepared everything in his head. He simply drags and drops the supplied request data, which his customers always provide him with as STEP, JT, or IGS, etc., into Similia. Mr. Meier is not exactly a software expert or a hobby programmer. No. He completely is left without this special knowledge of CAD software, let alone having it installed on his workstation at all.
Before he gulps down the first sip of coffee, the result is on his monitor. He is already smiling. Mr. Meier can synchronize over 400,000 data records per second. He has an overview of the data from 3 locations.
He has insight with immediate effect on
Mr. Meier sees that they had a similar request 18 months ago for a seat cross member. He sees the calculation basis and the planned manufacturing concept as well as the feasibility check with simulation results that were made. At that time, it was to be manufactured as a double-drop component in 3 stages. He can call the method plan directly. It is saved as a PowerPoint file on a drive. He didn't know it before. He doesn't need to. The board cutting was also already calculated. They did not receive the order at that time. At that time, SIMILIA was not yet in use.
After a short time, he has the prices and the rough method for the simple parts ready. Now he has more time to take care of the important and tricky questions from the inquiry in detail. The cross member is made of higher-strength dual-phase steel. That can be problematic. But he can cover himself for that, too.
With SIMUFORM's Part Overlay tool, he calls up his similar reference part for viewing in seconds. It is very similar to the cross-member. He can overlay the two parts and automatically turn them onto each other. Then he recognizes the sharp radii in the new part. He already knows. This will crack and will only give problems if they don't adjust the radius here. The old feasibility test also confirms this to him. That was also the case back then. So he picks up the phone and calls his customer. "Hello, Mr. Schuster - thank you for your inquiry. I'm sure you already know that the requested cross-member will crack at the transition to the frame. It won't work that way. If we change that to a 9 mm radius that is more likely to work. What do you think about it? Then you will get the offer today after lunch."
Mr. Meier is quick and competent. Coordinates with his customer before another competitor is ready. It not only leaves a good impression on his customer. He is ahead of the game. Because he knows something the competition doesn't yet. The component is changed. By him, because he has already talked to the customer and he agrees.
Thus, Mr. Meier gives his customer a very good and valid offer for a rather complex inquiry package. Mr. Meiner was not only fast but competent. The company wins the order.