RINCo LLC. |
June 16, 2004
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White
paper announced: How does software ‘estimate’ a job? NEW BERLIN, Wisconsin -- A White Paper entitled
"How does software 'estimate a job" is available from Micro Estimating
Systems. The White Paper, which also looks at future estimating innovations,
such as automatic feature recognition, can be read or downloaded at:
http://www.microest.com/white_papers.htm. According
to its author, Craig Hoffmann, Micros vice president of product development,
shop owners and manufacturers "continually ask our sales reps if it really
is important to understand the strategies computers use to ‘build’ an
estimate." Hoffmann
authored the White Paper because he feels strongly that this knowledge is
absolutely necessary. "The industry has neither a standard definition for
an estimate," he explains, "nor methods to compare the results
provided by “estimating” programs. With computer-aided estimating systems
today, the user has a wide choice – capability wise." The
White Paper asks the reader if he would seek the most accurate cycle time and
costs from estimating software? If so, then it explains what must be understood.
"If you don’t, then selecting software for estimating can be like buying
a pig in a poke," Hoffmann compares. First,
the Paper points out the importance to know that when people talk about
estimating software, typically they refer to one of two groups of software: • Quoting software simply helps determine a price. The estimator manually calculates or guesses the time it will take. • Estimating software provides not only a quote, but estimates actual times the job will require. Next,
the reader must realize that estimating software can be standards based or
engineering based, and can further use an approach based upon intelligent
simulation. Intelligent simulation attempts to determine how long each operation
really will take as opposed to how long it should take. Having
the capability to account for issues like rapid travel and idle times defines
the difference between the standards-based, engineering-based, and intelligent
simulation estimating systems. The latter systems tell you that it will
take one minute -- not that it should. Intelligently simulated estimates
attempt to include every significant event, as opposed to what should happen. As
an example of what is needed to accurately compute cycle time, Hoffmann uses the
Bridgeport machine. For a cycle time calculator to calculate accurate times for
both manual and CNC retrofit Bridgeport type machines, it needs access to all of
the machine parameters, including the following capabilities: Manual or CNC control CNC control acc/dec time Min and Max spindle speed, or available step pulley RPM chart Maximum spindle horsepower Maximum cutting speed rate Tool change time RPM speed change time Positioning rates for both manual and CNC controls If
the estimating process or software you're considering provides or requests
information to a similar depth, you probably can feel confident that you're
using accurate cycle times in your estimate. The
important fact to remember, when buying estimating software, is that each time a
company sends a quote to a customer, it is betting its business on the accuracy
of the times in the estimate. |
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