H.S. Die and Engineering Streamlines Processes using VISI-Series
Software
Just like Apple Computer and Hewlett-Packard, H.S. Die and Engineering
was borne in a garage. Owner Harold Steele, a man with a lot of common sense
and ambition, has today grown the company to be the largest mold maker in
the USA and second largest in North America.
It all started in 1969 and today its headquarters are located in Grand
Rapids, MI. H.S. Die serves the automotive and consumer products markets and
its customers include Lear, Intier, Collins & Aikman, Deere, Toyota,
Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and others. In 2002, the
company won the Supplier of the Year for outstanding performance from Intier
Automotive. In addition, over the last several years Textron, Saturn, and
Chrysler, have cited H.S. Die as a leader in providing outstanding quality,
service, and support.
Headquarters and Plant #1 also houses the company's design team of
approximately 25 designers who use multiple seats of VISI CAD/CAM software
products from Vero International (Bingham Farms, MI). VISI-Series is a
leading PC-based design and manufacturing solutions for the mold and die
industries. It offers a unique combination of applications, fully integrated
wire-frame, surface and solid modeling, comprehensive 2D and 3D machining
strategies with high speed routines and dedicated tool design for plastic
injection and progressive dies.
Phil Tanis is H.S. Die's design supervisor. Aside from his normal
responsibilities, he and his team conduct feasibility studies to determine
if designs are moldable, and reviews all work prior to sending it to
manufacturing. He was one of the first H.S. Die employees to use VISI
software when it was implemented four years ago.
Tanis says the most important customer requirements are time and money.
"They work hand in hand," he notes. "Besides that, we focus
heavily on service. We want to help the customer make sure they will build a
tool that will operate flawlessly. Our goal is to protect the plant."
He says that a big part of achieving that goal is the use of VISI tools.
Final 3D design
Prior to implementing VISI, Tanis and his team of designers used
disparate software products (Camax and Cimlink) that didn't "talk to
each other." Company owner Steele's philosophy includes constant
improvement in all segments of the organization. "The installation of
VISI dramatically helped us change the way we design and manufacture
products," adds Tanis. "Using the software allows us to streamline
processes. As a result, we are a completely paperless environment - from the
design arena to the machining floor. Everyone shares the same 3D models and
speaks the same language because everyone is trained to use VISI including
designers, mold makers, machinists, sales people, and program
managers."
Why VISI? With the plethora of CAD tools on the market, Tanis says he and
his team tested several commercial software products prior to selecting VISI-Series.
"We opted for VISI because, like most products, the software is easy to
use. But more importantly, Vero goes the extra mile by providing on-site
assistance, ongoing training, and continuous support. "Since we started
working together, Vero has listened to us and implemented many enhancements
to the software with each release," says Tanis.
Mold ejection
Owner Steele notes, "One of the most important reasons why we
selected VISI-Series is the ability to customize the software to meet our
specific needs. Vero's organization is flexible to quickly respond to our
needs. The VISI/Vero team is one of cooperative, open-minded, and creative
individuals who work very well together to help our operations work faster
and more proficiently. This type of relationship is uncommon between
software user and software provider."
VISI layer management
As testimony to Vero's commitment to the H.S. Die applications, Jim
Kesteloot, principal of TST Software, a Vero distributor in Michigan, has an
office at H.S. Die's Grand Rapids operations. He spends at least one day per
week on-site. "This ongoing support isn't unique to H.S. Die. We offer
the same type of service to all our customers. No other CAD/CAM provider can
attest to this allegiance to product viability helping customers achieve
success and the same types of awards and industry acknowledgements that H.S.
Die has enjoyed over the years."
Kesteloot says, "VISI is differentiated from other CAD/CAM packages
because it is not restricted with a typical program tree. "VISI users
can work in solids, surfaces, and wire-frames without being locked to a tree
configuration," notes Kesteloot. "The flexibility of the modeler
allows designer to work in any mode."
Tanis says that using VISI 3D models allow his designers to show
customers everything they need to know. "They can see the tool as a
finished model including a computer visualization of the physical mold in a
press with all components taken into consideration. This capability is very
powerful and assures customers that the mold will operate as designed,"
Tanis adds.
The busy design team cranks out more than 500 tools per year. Tanis says
that working in a 3D mode allows his designers to be more productive and
thereby, address more work. In order to accomplish that, he set up teams of
assignments for each job including design, mechanical work, water injection
and tool build up, and checking models before they are sent to the machine
shop.
Typical HS Die part data
VISI for surfacing H.S. Die CAD/CAM system manager Dave Scramlin
schedules the surfacing of all tools and coordinates the work for the shop
floor. He's the liaison between surfacing and manufacturing. Almost all the
people working under Scramlin are journeymen toolmakers. "They know how
to build a tool and what to look for in terms of tool
manufacturability," Scramlin says. His team uses VISI to complete the
3D models with mold details, such as radii, parting line relief, vents, and
other important details to make sure the tool is a viable model for cutting.
He says their work is challenging and interactive with the shop floor.
"We strive to obtain a good, clean model. VISI software provides us
with the tools that allow us to be more proficient and speed up our
productivity," says Scramlin.
EDM of details
Scramlin and Tanis note that H.S. Die has a close relationship with Vero.
"From where we were before implementing VISI to where we are today, we
have been able to add intelligence to our models. That capability
alone," Scramlin explains, "has taken us to the next level of
expertise. The software and our use of it have helped us become more
competitive and remain profitable." Steele, who remains the sole owner
of the corporation today, cites the company's success is due in large part
to his active involvement and investments in new technologies and commitment
to the manufacture of world-class tooling.
"Over the years and to this day," notes Steele, "I've
stayed close to the business working with the staff because I'm always
looking for innovation and change. I call myself the 'Idea Man.' I provide
the ideas and try to instill incentives to nurture the idea to fruition. The
results of the incentives result in a better future for my employees and
their families. It's easy to become complacent. That's not for me. I get up
everyday and say, 'I'm going to learn something new today.'" As for
ideal H.S. Die employees, Steele says he looks for individuals who are
creative, ambitious, and who show common sense. "As a result, I've been
able to build very talented teams who have collectively helped to
successfully grow the business to what it is today."
