Software provides enterprise-wide solution!

TS3 Technology is a diverse contract manufacturer based in Southern USA. They supply a mixed product range into medical, aerospace, electro-mechanical and other applications. Increasing penetration into aerospace and medical device and other regulated markets led to customer and internal demand for improved process flow control, improved real-time actionable data collection and reporting. In 4Q2011, TS3 met this requirement by installing a complete Aegis Software suite, comprising iLaunch, iView, iTrac, iQ and iMaterials with Aegis Analytics for reporting capabilities.

A number of factors led to TS3 selecting Aegis. ‘We chose Aegis because their single code based software package provides the comprehensive enterprise-wide solution that we needed’ commented Brian Killen, TS3’s Vice President of Information Technology. ‘However we were also influenced by Aegis’ reputation as a global supplier, and their established experience in successful deployments with minimal production interference. This was borne out by the aggressive implementation of two facilities over a six month period, which was accomplished with the help of the assigned Aegis Deployment Engineer, Eric Messenger. His knowledge of the software and TS3’s manufacturing environment, together with his commitment to the success of the implementation was second to none.’

The Aegis suite is being used for process management including route control, quality data collection and alarming, material validation and internal and external reporting. This unified, enterprise-wide environment replaces a set of ad hoc systems that TS3 had developed over time. These systems had electronic documentation capability and performed their own tasks well, but lacked a comprehensive control and reporting strategy that could access their entire manufacturing process.

After several months’ operation, the software suite is now used in full production at TS3’s Stafford, Texas and Franklin (TN USA), facilities. These two sites comprise a multimillion dollar operation with a combined manufacturing footprint of 170,000 square feet and over 350 employees. Production activities include electromechanical assembly, PCB assembly, and wire harness and cable assembly.

The Aegis software is totally integrated into TS3’s production strategy, with communications links to their Juki, Fuji, Universal and Assembleon placement machines. It also interfaces at a software level with Made2Manage, which is a back-office ERP platform. The Aegis deployment across both sites is being managed by Andrew Pickard, Applications Engineer at TS3.

The NPI tools allow an electronic sign-off of new product revisions, replacing a slow paper based system. The introduction of the Aegis inForce Digital Process Attendant in the Franklin facility has enhanced TS3’s automated data capture as product flows down the SMT lines. Test and Quality reporting has greatly improved while giving access to much more granular data, with accurate and timely metrics.