MSC Software’s Adams & Easy5 Simulations Helped Armor Increase Machine Productivity by 20%

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSC Software Corporation, the leader in multidiscipline simulation solutions that accelerate product innovation, today announced that Armor, a leader in producing inked ribbon used in thermal transfer printing, has increased the throughput of its coating machines by about 20% by using Adams multibody dynamics simulation and Easy5 control system simulation software. “Simulation helped us work out the optimal coating conditions and make engineering changes to our machines,” said Gildas Hubert, project manager for Armor. “Simulation is a great way to improve our manufacturing process at a relatively low cost without disrupting production as is required for physical experiments.”

“These calculations make it possible to run each machine at the optimal coating conditions. The end result was that we improved quality while at the same time making substantial improvements in productivity.”

Hubert began his simulation efforts on a machine that required continual adjustments in order to avoid defects. He constructed an Adams model of the machine and used Easy5 to simulate the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) closed loop motion controller. He modified the model and re-ran the simulation multiple times, seeking to move the machine to a point where small changes in operating conditions would have no impact on quality. In the end, he discovered more robust operating conditions that substantially improved throughput of the machine by reducing downtime required for adjusting operating conditions.

Based on this success, Hubert turned his attention to other machines that were seemingly operating well to see if improvements could be made in either throughput or quality. By optimizing control values, Armor was able to increase throughput of its coating machines collectively by about 20% over a one year period. The primary improvement came from increasing machine reliability and stability so that less time was required for repairs or adjustments.

“By simulating the operation of our machines we were able to determine the ideal parameters for operating them over a broad range of products,” Hulbert said. “These calculations make it possible to run each machine at the optimal coating conditions. The end result was that we improved quality while at the same time making substantial improvements in productivity.”

About Armor

Based in Nantes, France, Armor was one of the first companies to manufacture carbon film, introduce ribbon cassettes for typewriters and introduce thermal transfer technology in the early 1980s. The company has over 760 employees worldwide and produces 110,000 thermal transfer film rolls per day at five production sites around the world. Armor is the leading producer in Europe with a 53% market share. The company offers over 12,000 different ribbon configurations.

About MSC Software

MSC Software is one of the ten original software companies and the worldwide leader in multidiscipline simulation. As a trusted partner, MSC Software helps companies improve quality, save time, and reduce costs associated with design and test of manufactured products. Academic institutions, researchers, and students employ MSC’s technology to expand individual knowledge as well as expand the horizon of simulation. MSC Software employs 1,100 professionals in 20 countries. For additional information about MSC Software’s products and services, please visit: www.mscsoftware.com

The MSC Software corporate logo, Simulating Reality, MSC Nastran, Adams, Actran, Digimat, Dytran, Easy5, Marc, Patran, MSC, MasterKey, MasterKey Plus, Mvision, SimDesigner, SimManager, and SimXpert are trademarks or registered trademarks of MSC Software Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. NASTRAN is a registered trademark of NASA. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.