Musashi – Japan chooses SPRING Technologies’ NCSIMUL Machine for simulating 5-Axis machining processes

The software processes 3x faster than the company’s previous simulation program

SPRING Technologies is pleased to announce that the engineering company Musashi, in Japan, has chosen to use NCSIMUL Machine software in its 5-axis operations. Before choosing NCSIMUL Machine, Musashi applied another NC simulation software package for the 5-axis machining process used to make turbine impellers. The operation took over 16 hours and the user interface froze frequently when rotating or zooming in on the 3D model during simulation. Musashi consequently set out to find a solution that would offer faster simulation, with smooth 3D model handling and easy settings.

“We wanted to run the simulations on our 5-axis impeller machining process faster. We were looking for an easy-to-use application and automated simulation software,” said Mr. Baba, manager of the Development Department.

At the time, Mr. Yagihashi, the president of Musashi, visited the Saeilo Japan booth at the JIMTOF 2012 tradeshow, where he first heard about NCSIMUL Machine.

“Our president visited many other booths to get an overview of the NC simulation products on the market. He asked to see NCSIMUL Machine, and was impressed by the great user-friendliness of NCSIMUL Machine interface.” said Baba.

Comparing NCSIMUL Machine with other NC simulation systems 

They checked six key features:

1. Machine / axis motion (machine simulation, collision check) 
2. NC program optimization (Auto-feed change) 
3. Comparison features (Incomplete cutting check) 
4. Multi-axis function (multi-access) 
5. Tool setting (interface) 
6. Machine (original MC environment )

For the complete story click here

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AEROMART SUMMIT India 2014 was a huge success for SPRING Technologies

AEROMART Summit 2014 in Bangalore, India was a huge success. Above a picture of the SPRING Technologies team with Gilles Battier the CEO of SPRING Technologies

Cheers to all from the SPRING Technologies Team. Wishing everyone a great 2015.

Potential Clients and partners listening with open hearts to the presentation given by the CEO of SPRING Technologies (Gilles Battier) on NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS

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ASCENTEC adopts NCSIMUL Machine from SPRING Technologies for its new 5-axis horizontal machining center

“High-speed manufacturing has been one of the greatest strengths of our business,” explains David Gilliat, Director of Manufacturing and Machining Technology

Ascentec Engineering was established in 2001 by a team of process and manufacturing engineerswith a solid background in electronics manufacturing processes. The founders brought with them experience in designing innovative and productivity-enhancing tools and fixtures that held up to the technology changes within the industry and gained an enviable reputation as an EMS industry leader for tooling solutions. In 2007, Ascentec began a Precision Machining division focused on providing quick-turn prototype and short-run production contract machining, along with integrated assembly services.

CHALLENGES
It’s an unhappy day indeed when a CNC machine crashes and it may take days, perhaps weeks, for the damage to be assessed and repaired. During that time, the shop staff not only loses the machine’s productive capacity but worries that it may not be possible to restore the machine to its previous ability to hold tight tolerances. It is bad enough when a vertical 3-axis CNC mill crashes, but when it happens to a 5-axis system that costs many times more, the downside is more serious. With this in mind, Ascentec Engineering began researching the market for advanced machine simulation software when it anticipated the installation of its first 5-axis horizontal machining center in 2011.
After narrowing the field to two simulation packages, the company selected NCSIMUL Machine from SPRING Technologies Inc. based on the software’s capabilities, ease of use and integration with its Mastercam CAD/CAM software from CNC

For the complete story go to: http://www.springplm.com/case_studiesbis.php?ID=655

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SPRING Technologies successfully raises €5.0M to reinforce its innovative NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS offering and strengthen its international footprint

SPRING Technologies is funding a new growth stage with a new round of capital investment from its historic partner CM-CIC Capital Innovation together with ACE Management’s Aerofund III and CM-CIC Capital Privé, alongside with an Innovation loan from Bpifrance sovereign investment bank. 

This €5.0M injection will enable CEO Gilles Battier to energize the company’s development on the international scale, and speed up product innovation through disruptive R&D investments.

SPRING Technologies is funding a new growth stage with a new round of capital
investment from its historic partner CM-CIC Capital Innovation together with ACE
Management’s Aerofund III and CM-CIC Capital Privé, alongside with an Innovation
loan from Bpifrance sovereign investment bank.

This €5.0M injection will enable CEO Gilles Battier to energize the company’s
development on the international scale, and speed up product innovation through
disruptive R&D investments.

For the complete story click here

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When Prototyping and Production Collide Simulation Breaks the Bottleneck

A great article in The Magazine for Western Metalworking Manufacturing written by Sean Buur

Cascade Corporation employs machine simulation to optimize production and prototyping manufacturing streams on the same machining centers.

Advanced CNC machine simulation software is helping a leading Portland, Oregon manufacturer of hydraulically operated fork lift truck accessories keep pace with aggressive schedules for prototyping and production manufacturing of hydraulic valve bodies on the same machining centers. The software (NCSIMUL from SPRING Technologies) makes it unnecessary to spend valuable on-machine hours single-stepping through first piece CNC programs to ensure that they will run without encountering interferences. As a result, prototype work rarely interferes with production manufacturing and design engineers get their prototype parts faster.

Cascade Corporation’s innovative material handling solutions enable lift trucks to become more versatile and efficient material handling tools. They rely on intricate hydraulic valve designs that make it possible to pull, push, clamp, lift, side-shift and rotate practically any unit load imaginable. These products are made and shipped to Europe, Asia and many other parts of the world from its manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon.

Prototypes for hydraulic valve bodies critical to the success of the next generation of Cascade products are also made in the same plant and on the same manufacturing equipment as the full production components. Manufacturing prototypes on the same equipment allows the company to transition swiftly and smoothly into production manufacturing when a new design is released. It also means that prototype manufacturing must be conducted in off hours so that it does not disrupt very active production manufacturing schedules.

For the rest of the article go to: http://www.cnc-west.com/When_Prototyping_2.html

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Great Article in Aerospace Manufacturing and Design on how Turbomeca relies on NCSIMUL Machine to reduce lead times and eliminate risks in parts production.

Slashing time to market

Approximately 20 years ago, engineers at Turbomeca, a helicopter engine maker, needed a solution that reduced lead times and eliminated risks during production of high-added value parts, including simultaneous 5-axis machining.

After conducting an in-depth study of the two machining simulation solutions, Turbomeca chose Spring Technologies’ NCSIMUL Machine, says Gilles Cazenave-Laroche, head of engineering at Turbomeca’s Excellence Center for rotating parts.

“At the time we went for the better of the two products,” he explains. “It was the right choice because the solution is very integrated into our specialty, spanning the whole machining process for our compressors, from CAM to the actual cutting of end parts on the machine. This is more than just realistically simulating ISO code.”

After implementation, Cazenave-Laroche saw gains quickly. Given the cost of programming for the 5-axis machines, Turbomeca experienced payback as soon the second year of operation.

Long-term value was just as rewarding, helping to make tool paths more robust and reliable while acting as a training tool for programmers.

“Our task is complex,” Cazenave-Laroche says. “With NCSIMUL Machine, we not only train new employees, we also use it to innovate. By simulating and testing we can explore new, more efficient machining strategies.” 

For the full story click here

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IMTS 2014: SPRING Technologies showcases WYSIWYC® − the mobile and synchronized NC simulation solution – for the first time in U.S.

The latest generation software features the shop floor appropriate Panasonic Toughpad equipped with NCSIMUL Player 9.2, the CNC simulation reviewer of NCSIMUL Machine

SPRING Technologies, developer of software solutions that enable manufacturers to optimize their CNC machines, is exhibiting in booth E-3267 at the IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show), from September 8 – 13, 2014.

SPRING’s exhibit will highlight the latest features, benefits, and applications of company’s flagship simulation software, NCSIMUL Machine and NCSIMUL Player 9.2. Specifically, with the growing adoption of remote and mobile software accessibility, SPRING will demonstrate its recently introduced mobile system called WYSIWYC® (What You See Is What You Cut). 

NCSIMUL Player 9.2 will be embedded on a fully rugged, mobile Panasonic Toughpad IP65 and shown how it is connected to machine tool controllers such as Fanuc CNCs.

With this capability, shop floor operators and managers are able to interact remotely – in 3D and in real time using intuitive touch controls – with one or several CNC machines and their machiningprocesses, as they execute the CNC program on the machine. 3D animations of CNC machining processes, as well as related work instruction sheets are directly accessible from the mobile application.

REVOLUTIONIZING THE WAY OPERATORS INTERACT WITH CNC MACHINES

“What WYSIWYC means to manufacturers is that we at SPRING Technologies are changing the way operators interact with CNC machines and rethinking the way procedures are accomplished on the shop floor,” explains Philippe Solignac, Corporate Marketing Director for SPRING Technologies. “We’re offering a unique user experience, which is very attractive to Generations Y and Z, with true shop floor-dedicated mobility with the ultra-rugged Toughpad tablet PC. It’s fun, it uses touch technology, and everything is digitized, including worksheets. It’s also a very effective methodology for conducting training modules without an additional large investment.”

According to Mr. Solignac, customers are achieving at least 25% higher productivity using the combined three technologies comprising WYSIWYC. He credits that because so much information about the program and process is immediately available that there are fewer errors, better decision making, smoother changeover between shifts, and easier multi-machine supervision.

INNOVATIONS CONVERGE AT IMTS 2014

Software: NCSIMUL Machine and NCSIMUL 9.2 Player – requires Windows 7 or 8

·         Realistic preview of the process and real time 3D simulation of machines and machining showing what is really cut and operations currently in progress.

·         Can extend to DNC machine status monitoring, ERP, MRP, MTConnect

·         100% Touch – smartphone type with NCSIMUL HUB apps / Multi-machine selection

·         Instruction / Worksheets – NCdoc module

Hardware:  CNC Control, such as Fanuc, and Panasonic Toughpad Tablet PC IP65 standard, 10” format for readability, Intel Core 15 for 3D computing power.

To see how the system functions and the benefits that can be realized, visit IMTS 2014, booth E-3267.

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SPRING Technologies is presented on the front cover of Manufacturing News Magazine May 2014

SPRING Technologies is exhibiting in booth 868 at the MMTS (Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show), from May 12 to 14.

SPRING's exhibit will highlight the features, benefits and applications of the company's flagship simulation software, NCSIMUL Machine and Player 9.1. Specifically, with the growing adoption of remote and mobile software accessibility, SPRING will demonstrate its recently introduced mobile system called WYSIWYC (What You See Is What You Cut).

Thanks to NCSIMUL Player 9.1 embedded on a fully rugged, mobile Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 and connected to machine tool controllers such as FANUC CNCs, shop floor operators and managers are able to interact remotely - in 3D and in real time using intuitive touch controls - with one or several CNC machines and their machining processes, as they execute the CNC program on the machine. 3D animations of CNC machining processes, as well as related work instruction sheets are directly accessible from the mobile application.

For the full online story click here

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AMD Online Magazine: Simulation for laying composite material

Aerospace Manufacturing and Design Online Magazine posted an article on SPRING Technologies to outline the result of several years’ collaboration with major aerospace customers, NCSIMUL Machine 9.1 can replicate material laying processes executed by numerical control (NC) machines.

This machining simulation software decodes NC programs, representing the machine environment in 3D to identify and analyze programming errors and collisions. A Composite option enables a dynamic representation of fiber ribbon laying, depicting the 3D form of the carbon fiber. Positioning of each fiber in the ribbon is managed independently.

The software alerts users to issues specific to the way composites are processed and liable to occur in machining. Alerts include fiber steering angle errors, twisting of taut fiber between the head and the position on the spool, fiber tension issues including speed disparities between fibers or sudden changes of direction that can create backwards laying.

Analysis functions can send information to the process planning department and the design office before going live. Analysis can be for the length of the laid material, layer thickness, fiber ribbon intersection angle, and aperture radius. The section-plane function gives insights into layering or possible holes in the material. At any time, the fiber path, or the end result of the material laying generated on the tooling in CAD, can be exported.

The software considers the shape of the initial tooling and the tension applied to the fibers. Fast algorithms enable fiber laying simulation with performances of 300m/min on a conventional CAD workstation.

For the full story click here

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Turbomeca, a SAFRAN group company, uses NCSIMUL Machine to slash its time to market

“NCSIMUL Machine is a must-have; we were into payback as of year 2”

says Gilles Cazenave-Laroche - Head of engineering

Paris, 14 May 2014 – SPRING Technologies, vendor of solutions that enable manufacturers to optimize the use of their NC machines, explains whyTurbomeca chose NCSIMUL Machine.

Corporate presentation

Turbomeca, a SAFRAN Group company, is the world leader on the helicopter gas turbine market. The internationally acknowledged engine maker designs, manufactures, markets and maintains a comprehensive and unique range of engines for makers of civilian, parapublic or military helicopters.

With 75 years’ experience in the field, Turbomeca has produced 70,000 turbines for 2,500 customers in 155 countries. The company has operations on five continents, with 16 sites, plus its Microturbo subsidiary, specialized in low-power gas turbines. With a workforce of around 6,320, it generated €1,126 M of revenue in 2012. 

Turbomeca’s philosophy is all about anticipating the future, designing, developing, certifying and supporting in order to stay one step ahead in technology. Adding core focuses on quality and safety, Turbomeca achieves the excellence it aspires to.

Challenge

Turbomeca’s organization is based on Centers of Excellence. Gilles Cazenave-Laroche, Head of engineering at the Excellence Center for rotating parts talks about his experience with SPRING Technologies solutions. 

In 1995, Turbomeca, after an in-depth study of the two leading machining simulation solutions ─one French, the other American ─ opted for SPRING Technologies’ NCSIMUL Machine. “At the time we went for the better of the two products. It was the right choice because the solution is very well integrated into our specialty, spanning the whole machining process for our compressors, from CAM to the actual cutting of end parts on the machine. This is more than just realistically simulating ISO code”, explains G. Cazenave-Laroche.

Their immediate need was for a solution that would significantly reduce lead times andeliminate risks in the production of parts with high added value. This included simultaneous 5-axis machining. Given the cost of programming for these 5-axis machines, “we were into payback as of year 2”, enthuses G. Cazenave-Laroche. 

Next comes the long-term value. This is all about making tool paths more robust and reliable, while offering Turbomeca a training tool for programmers. “Our task is complex”, he adds. “With NCSIMUL Machine we not only train new employees, we use it to innovate. By simulating and testing, we can explore new, more efficient machining strategies.”

Gains

Today, machining simulation and NCSIMUL Machine are operational throughout the compressor production process. This even became an obligation for Turbomeca’s teams. “In our line of work, speed is everything. Speed and efficiency, of course”, he continues. “Our parts have a high material cost so we have to get it right first time. Also, any downtime on our NC machines has a direct impact on our throughput and our R&D projects, and consequently on customer satisfaction. With NCSIMUL Machine we can anticipate all this securely in the virtual environment before taking a chance on reality.” 

Today’s multi-purpose NC machines are increasingly complex. Even though CAM software comes with rendering capabilities “NCSIMUL Machine is a must-have”, says G. Cazenave-Laroche. Using simulation also significantly facilitates the development of post-processors for this type of machine. “Our corporate culture and reputation are based on safety and a very demanding approach. This is what we are currently deploying for this type of new machine with the SPRING Technologies’ machining simulation solution.” 

As NCSIMUL Machine continues to evolve, Turbomeca is looking at enhancements, including the optimization of cutting conditions, stress simulation to anticipate deformations, and vibratory phenomena. “In these areas, we are working in close collaboration with the innovation teams at SPRING. Our goal is the same as for any manufacturer, namely to constantly cut costs, and improve quality and productivity. With robust processes NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS makes all this possible. This is the challenge that we address daily with our high-tech technologies, notably those provided by SPRING Technologies.”

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Industrie Paris 2014 : SPRING Technologies Wins "Special Mention Prize" for Innovation

Journalists and manufacturers choose WYSIWYC® for the special award, a 3D mobile and synchronized CNC simulation solution

Paris – SPRING Technologies, vendor of solutions that enable manufacturers to get full value from their CNC machine tools, reducing production costs and speeding up their processes, has just won this year's Innovation Trophies "Special Mention Prize" at the Industrie 2014 show in Paris.

In front of over 850 industry guests, the award, offered in partnership with Arkea Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels, went to WYSIWYC® (What You See Is What You Cut), a dedicated solution developed by SPRING Technologies for shopfloor stakeholders, based on NCSIMUL Machine technology.

Acknowledging a company with an innovative project that has enabled it to grow or diversify into new markets, the award fully reflects the technological leadership of SPRING Technologies, venturing into new market segments and territories outside France, including Germany, China and the USA.

For the complete story click here.

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Industrie Paris 2014 ended... People stayed until the last minute to see the very last demo of NCSIMUL Machine ;-)

The booth could not see a moment of rest up to the last minute of Industrie Paris 2014. Above is a picture of Philippe Solignac (SPRING Technologies Corporate Marketing Director) handing over the  Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 to a potential client so he can see first hand NCSIMUL player 9.1.

You know when the NC Code is verified by NCSIMUL that the CNC machine is fully safe.

 

The SPRING Technologies team had to have some fun after the long and wonderful conference came to an end. What a nice way to drive off into the sunset.

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WYSIWYC: AWARDED at Innovation Awards - INDUSTRIE Paris 2014!

Gilles Battier – CEO, SPRING Technologies (middle)

Philippe Solignac - Corporate Marketing Director (right hand)

Tuesday evening 1/4/2014, at INDUSTRIE PARIS trade show, during the Innovation Awards 2014 ceremony that gathered more than 800 persons, SPRING Technologies was awarded with WYSIWYC, its latest mobile solution synchronizing both CNC machining simulation and work instruction sheet  with the real machining context. This award demonstrates its advanced technological leadership within the NC Market.

“This solution, paving the way to the next generation of shop floors, is the result of a closed collaboration with FANUC, Panasonic and Intel. It also demonstrates that innovation leaders, when working together, will definitely make Industrie 4.0 a reality for the full benefits of their end customers” says Philippe Solignac, Corporate Marketing Director, SPRING Technologies HQ.

Group photo of all winners at INDUSTRIE Paris 2014

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MMTS 2014: SPRING Technologies showcases WYSIWYC® − the mobile and synchronized NC simulation solution – for the first time in North America

The award-nominated system features the shop floor appropriate Panasonic Toughpad equipped with NCSIMUL Player 9.1, the CNC simulation reviewer of NCSIMUL Machine

SPRING Technologies, developer of software solutions that enable manufacturers to optimize their CNC machines, is exhibiting in booth 868 at the MMTS(Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show), from May 12 to 14.

SPRING’s exhibit will highlight the features, benefits, and applications of company’s flagship simulation software, NCSIMUL Machine and Player 9.1. Specifically, with the growing adoption of remote and mobile softwareaccessibility, SPRING will demonstrate its recently introduced mobile system called WYSIWYC® (What You See Is What You Cut). 

Thanks to NCSIMUL Player 9.1 embedded on a fully rugged, mobile Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1and connected to machine tool controllers such as Fanuc CNCs, shop floor operators and managers are able to interact remotely – in 3D and in real time using intuitive touch controls – with one or several CNC machines and their machiningprocesses, as they execute the CNC program on the machine.

3D animations of CNC machining processes, as well as related work instruction sheets are directly accessible from the mobile application.

RETHINKING THE WAY YOU WORK GENERATES CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS

To further strengthen the system, real time synchronization of both 3D CNC simulations and work instruction sheets with real machining processes are available as optional features of NCSIMUL Player 9.1.

This breakthrough capability is a valuable decision-making asset in the production environment that enhances shop floor communication. Because of the instant access to vital information, decreasing machining errors, supervising multiple machines, and conducting smoother changeovers, the productivity gains can reach at least 25% according to the company.

“I frequently get the question as to why our system features a Toughpad as opposed to the ubiquitous iPad,” says Philippe Solignac, Corporate Marketing Director for SPRING Technologies. “It’s simple,” he states.

“The Panasonic Toughpad is designed and built for the shop floor environment which can often be harsh. The Toughpad is able to run any enterprise software, even 3D demanding ones, thanks to the latest Intel core chipsets integrated technology. The less powerful, less open, and more delicate iPad can only offer simulation viewing capabilities, which is rather useless to shop floor staff, especially NC operators.”

 For the complete story click here

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INDUSTRIE 2014: SPRING Technologies turns the spotlight on WYSIWYC®

The innovative, award-nominated solution will be demonstrated live
on booth 5-T77, Hall 5A – with NCSIMUL Machine 9.1

SPRING Technologies, vendor of solutions that enable manufacturers to optimize the use of their NC machines, will be back this year at the Industrie 2014 show, from March 31 to April 4 at the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord/Vlilepinte on the northern edge of Paris.

“Building tomorrow’s solutions”, is the theme of the 2014 edition of France’s marquee INDUSTRIE show. Since 2013 SPRING Technologies has been anticipating and offering a whole suite of instrumented, intelligent, and interconnected — in a word, SMART — solutions, based on its NCEXPERIENCE® vision.

As from March 31 the full set of modules that make up the NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS range will be showcased on booth 5-T77, Hall 5A. The show is an opportunity to discover and test tool management with NCSIMUL TOOL 2.4, DNC and real-time machine status with NCSIMUL DNC 8.21, and NCSIMUL Machine 9.1, the latest version of SPRING’s flagship software for machining simulation, complete with a range of new features including:

·         Simulation of composite material lay-up;

·         Full integration of the NCdoc document publishing module;

·         Automated functions for an enhanced user experience.

Centerpiece of the show will be the new 100% mobile solution for the shop floor: WYSIWYC® (What You See Is What You Cut), nominated from among 35 products in the Technology category for the Trophées de l’Innovation awards at Industrie Paris 2014, a prize that acknowledges a product or solution that creates value from a new technology. The nomination proves that for SPRING tomorrow is already here today.

For the complete Story click here

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CUST 2013: more than 100 attendees gathered around “Shop floor 4.0”

SPRING Technologies keeps its promise of a ground-breaking technology with NCEXPERIENCE®

SPRING Technologies, vendor of solutions to enhance the productivity of NC machines, held the 5th edition of its Users Club on November 7, drawing over 100 participants: a resounding success for SPRING and its customers. The annual meeting of the NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS user community is now an eagerly awaited highlight on the calendar for machining specialists, and a special opportunity for SPRING to meet its customers and discuss their plans.

CUST 2013 had the honor of welcoming its guests at the Aerospace Museum in Le Bourget on the edge of Paris, at an event supported by the Pôle ASTECH technology cluster.

SPRING Technologies this year invited Dassault Aviation, Eurocopter and UF1 to give their feedback on the solutions in the SPRING portfolio and on the resulting benefits, supported by hard figures and ROI, giving insights into how these businesses are addressing the industrial issues of today and using innovation to win the battle of competitiveness.

KEY FACTS AND FIGURES:

• More than 100 participants representing both SME and major corporations, using NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS
• 5 thematic workshops featuring the key modules from the NCSIMUL SOLUTIONS offering 
• A satisfaction rate of over 16/20* 

*source: CUST 2013 customer satisfaction survey

For more information on this story click here

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Boeing 787-9 project: at Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Suzhou, NCSIMUL Machine in collaboration with CATIA, optimized greatly the machining process efficiency of complex titanium parts

14 months since the start of the project, the Boing 787-9 has finally achieved a great millstone with optimizing the manufacturing of extremely complex titanium parts for the Boing 787-9 project. The parts where designed by Messier – Bugatti – Dowty (MBDT) and manufactured in Safran’s Suzhou factory.

CATIA was used for the design and CNC programming while NCSIMUL Machine was used for CNC machining program verification and optimization as well as technical documents edition to support CNC operators on their daily tasks. Now the machining and setup time are greatly reduced and the overall production process efficiency on the shop floor, dramatically improved.

The amazing technical team at SAFRAN Suzhou factory worked extremely hard to deliver the parts on time. Many more challenges await the team in 2013 but with great team effort and the right technologies anything is possible.

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