COMPASS® II
Determines optimal master sheet sizes
- COMPASS II material optimization software is designed for companies that purchase master sheets
to produce part blanks. The software is used in the planning process to determine optimal master sheet
sizes (widths and lengths).
- COMPASS II analyzes forecasted production requirements, manufacturing constraints, and material
and manufacturing costs. It determines the best master sheet sizes that minimize scrap loss and
manufacturing costs. Reports indicate the total weight required for each sheet size, as well as the
trade-offs between scrap loss and the number of different sheet sizes.
- COMPASS II allows companies to quickly and easily make sound decisions regarding the purchase
and use of master sheets. The software’s ability to perform sensitivity or "what if" studies can also help
evaluate new equipment purchases, and changes in manufacturing or material costs.
The sections below provide more information about the COMPASS
II material optimization software. From the Downloads page
you can also view a demo video (in Flash format)
or download a software brochure (in
PDF format).
Features
- Determines optimal master sheet sizes
- Shows trade-off between scrap loss and number of master sheet sizes
- Displays solution results on-screen
- Operates in the popular Microsoft Windows environment
- Imports data easily
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Benefits
- Reduces scrap loss and improves material yield
- Reduces number of master sheet sizes
- Minimizes planning time for determining optimal master sheet sizes
- Reduces master sheet inventory and carrying costs
- Makes your company more competitive
- Typical ROI of 1-4 months
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COMPASS II - It's like having an optimization expert at your side
COMPASS II material optimization software is designed for companies that purchase master sheets to produce part
blanks. The software is used in the planning process to determine optimal master sheet sizes (widths and
lengths).
COMPASS II analyzes forecasted production requirements, manufacturing constraints, and material and manufacturing
costs. It determines the best master sheet sizes that minimize scrap loss and manufacturing costs. Reports
indicate the total weight required for each sheet size, as well as the trade-offs between scrap loss and the
number of different sheet sizes.
COMPASS II allows companies to quickly and easily make sound decisions regarding the purchase and use of master
sheets. The software’s ability to perform sensitivity or "what if" studies can also help evaluate new equipment
purchases, and changes in manufacturing or material costs.
An optimization study is easy to perform
The user starts a COMPASS II optimization study by providing part and constraint information for the material
type to be optimized. The part information may be quickly and easily entered in spreadsheet-like Parts Window.
Part information may also be imported from other systems.
Once the part data is ready, the user starts the first stage of the optimization routine by simply clicking
the Stage-1 button. The software automatically determines the optimal master sheet sizes -- typically within
5 to 10 minutes.
When the stage-1 optimization routine completes, the Master Sheets Window is displayed. The user can continue
with the optimal master sheet sizes, or other sizes may be directly entered to facilitate "what-if"
studies.
The second stage of the optimization routine is then started by clicking the Stage-2 button. The software
optimally assigns the parts to the sheet sizes.
When the stage-2 optimization routine completes, the Print Results Window is displayed. The user can then view
or print a report which shows total cost and scrap loss for different numbers of master sheet sizes. Once the
number of master sheet sizes to be used is selected, the user can view or print reports containing information
for planning and production.
Long Term Investment
COMPASS II will pay for itself in 1 to 4 months. In all succeeding months and years, the savings will be
greater, since the software was paid-in-full the first year. Because operating and material costs tend to
increase over time, savings will increase also.
Since the software will be used as long as your company purchases master sheets, funds spent on COMPASS II are
a long term investment — just like shears.
Reduces Scrap and Number of Sheet Sizes
COMPASS II’s powerful optimization routines can consider all of the possible master sheet sizes that can be
used— a lot more than could be considered manually. This means the optimal sheet sizes are found, thus reducing
scrap loss and the number of different sheet sizes.
By using computers and specialized optimization algorithms, the extremely time-consuming process of manually
selecting sheet sizes is dramatically reduced.
General Information
- Operates in the popular Microsoft Windows environment
- A typical optimization study completes within 5 to 10 minutes
- Each software license includes installation disks, printed user's manual, and technical support with
software updates for an initial time period
- On-site Installation and Training is available.
- Ongoing Technical Support is available
- Ongoing Software Updates is available
Quick to Evaluate and Easy to Implement
COMPASS II material optimization software can be quickly evaluated and justified by taking advantage of our
sample optimization case study offer.
We will provide you with the results of an actual COMPASS II optimization study — using a sample set of your
own data. The reports will help you understand how to utilizes the optimization results within your operation.
The case study will quickly convey the savings potential, and help justify the software purchase.
After one day of initial training, the user(s) will be able to run the
software effectively and independently.
Since you won’t have to change your existing computer systems or business procedures, the implementation will
be smooth and easy.
Want to Learn More?
For more information about our optimization software products or consulting services, call
724-325-2900 x4, or
contact us today.
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