Marc,
As I mentioned in a previous email to TechNet, I have started using
ProModel and find it useful for the following:
-customer presentations: We have to show our customers that we have
thought about how we would go about manufacturing their products and
that we can handle the required rates. This software and its graphics
are a good presentation tool. You can actually see the parts moving
from station to station, accumulating in batches if you like, travelling
down conveyors and exiting the system as completed product. We have had
some customers come back to us requesting information on ProModel so
that they might acquire it.
-dedicated lines: lines where you are producing one or a few types of
products are easy to model and can provide you useful information such
as how many units you can produce given certain machine times and labor
resources. You can easily play a lot of what if games: what if process
A takes 8 minutes instead of 10? What if I double the number of
workstations for a particular process? How does the arrival of goods
from other areas or companies impact my production? What if I go to two
shifts instead of one or alter the length of the shift? We modelled one
assembly flow where the senior process engineer thought that two dicing
saws would need to be purchased. The simulation showed that one dicing
saw was never used and that the other one was not fully utilized.
Savings like not purchasing an unnecessary additional piece of equipment
is one of the ways that this software will pay for itself.
My impressions are that for a scenario where you are building lots of
different boards, the modelling will get difficult and may not be worth
the effort. This program is not designed to balance out component
placement between in-line pick and place machines (I know that there are
several other pieces of software specifically designed to do that). It
will not reduce set-up time except for the case where you can see what
happens if you build two lots of product A before changing to build one
lot of product B, rather than build one lot of A, then one lot of B and
then another lot of A.
If you have a demo, it will let you do a limited amount of modelling.
It will allow you to view some already created models to see what is
possible. As far as creating your own models, I highly recommend taking
their 3 day beginners course (and if you are serious enough, their 2 day
advanced course). Looking at the software before the class baffled me,
but now I understand what is going on.
Also, FYI, they are having a users conference complete with training
classes in Wyoming (admittedly a bit of a trip for you) towards the end
of September. I am sure that they have information on that on their web
site (www.promodel.com).
I am not familiar with other simulation software so I can not offer a
comparison.
Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me off-line if you have further
questions.
-Steve
Steven K. Lustig
Process Engineer
EMS Technologies, Inc.
Norcross, GA
(770) 263-9200 x4714
[log in to unmask]
>----------
>From: Marc O. Bituagan[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 1998 11:53 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [TN] Simulation
>
>'Lo everyone,
>
> It's been a slow workweek so far and I'm stumped. Hey, if anyone out
>there is familiar or has used a simulation software called Pro-Model
>ver. 4.0, please do share your experience with it (pleasant or
>otherwise). My boss has asked me to evaluate the software(obtained
>the evaluation copy) and is considering buying the package. Answers
>to the following will certainly be a BIG HELP:
> What can Pro-Model do in the realm of electronics
>manufacturing?(i.e.determination of workforce size, set-up time
>reduction,etc.)
> What advantages does it offer over the other conventional modelling,
> simulation, scheduling tools?
> Is there a better alternative? Can the software "pay" for
>itself?
> and finally...... If I won't use it, will it mean "certain
>death"?
>
> Sure could use your input on this.
>
> Enjoy what's left of the week!
>
> Marc
>
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