tempo1

calculating machining time

and cost

User manual

mecanitzats ninou

2

software for calculating

machining time and cost

tempo3

TEMPO ASSISTANCE

User manual

mecanitzats ninou

4

Contents

1. Introduction 5

1.1. System requirements 5 1.2. How to install Tempo 5 1.3. What does the Tempo program do? 5 1.4. Learn how to use Tempo 6

2. Front page 7

3. Company 8

4. Settings 9

5. Parameters 10

6. Database 13

7. Machines 15

8. Calculating times and costs 18

8.1. Preparation details 228.2. Parameter bank 248.3. Manufacturing operations 248.4. Types of tools 26

9. Quotes 28

9.1. Material 329.2. Other 359.3. Statistics 369.4. Multi-quotes 38

10. Feedback 39

11. Clients 41

tempo5

1. Introduction

1.1 System requirements

In order to use Tempo you will need Windows XP or higher running as your operating system.

1.2. How to install Tempo

Follow the steps below: • Insert the Tempo installation CD. • The CD will autorun and the installation will commence automatically. • Follow the steps given by the installation wizard; carefully read the user license

and any other relevant documents. • When the installation process is completed, it is highly recommended, but not

required, to restart the PC.

1.3. What does the Tempo program do?

Many of the operations that can be carried out using Tempo are listed below, for example, you can do the following:

• Enter your company details and a logo; this information will be shown in any quotes that are produced.

• Work in a LAN, WAN or by means of a VPN or other remote system. • Enter all the machines you have in the machinery editor, whether they are cen-

ter lathes, automatic lathes, CNCs, machining centers, milling machines, boring machines…

• Each of these machines has its own timing, which the program will use to calculate the machining times and the associated costs.

• Divide the process of machining a part into phases; each of these phases will be associated with a specific machine and each machine will, obviously, have an associated preparation task.

• Tempo offers a preparation editor, where all the necessary operations to complete any machine’s preparation can be listed.

• Each of these preparation operations will have an associated time. • Lastly, a very precise total preparation time will be given.

• Use the parameter bank editor to obtain different cutting conditions according to the type of material or machine used, or according to any other variable that the user deems appropriate.

• Calculate the machining times and their associated cost, which is Tempo’s most powerful tool.

• Edit the cutting tools database, including drill bits, taps, mills, reamers, any indexable inserts support, hard metal tools…

mecanitzats ninou

6

• Edit the materials bank, with their densities and supplier prices. The user only needs to enter the measurements, such as diameter, height, width, length, shape, etc., and the program will calculate the cost of the material.

• Add external process costs, such as welding, honing, chemical baths, heat treatments…

• Check the statistical tool where the user can find out about quotes that have been accepted and rejected, within a specific period of time, ratios and any price deviations on the amount quoted. A tool that provides its own feedback, enabling it to offer valuable information for the user to know whether the machining time estimates have been correct.

• Edit the client database. • Edit the supplier database and a mass e-mailing system to obtain offers about

external processes or material. • Several languages available: Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Basque, French and

English. • Make sending e-mails quicker and easier with the help of three predesigned

templates. • Print or save in pdf format:

• Times for each machine. • Client quotes. • Manufacturing reports. • Reports on the machine’s preparation.

1.4 Learn how to use Tempo

• Follow this manual: It is very important for the Tempo user to read this manual in order to have the bases that will later be completed with practice.

• See online learning videos:

http://www.mecaninou.com/ca/software_tempo.html y www.cutools.com.

tempo7

2. front page

As shown in figure 1, the front page is the main screen of the Tempo program. From this front page, the user can access most of the tools included in this software.

Version of Tempo: The program version is found to the bottom left of the title.Modules: In the lower section to the right of the title, we find the Tempo mode acquired by the user.

Figure 1Buttons:

• Clients: This accesses the client and supplier editor, where the user can add, modify and delete clients and suppliers. It also offers the option to send mass e-mails to suppliers to obtain rates for prices or any sub-contracted processes. For further details: Chapter 11.

• Calculating times and costs: This accesses the tool that enables you to calcula-te the machining time and manufacturing cost. For further details: Chapter 8.

• Quote: This accesses the screen to create quotes. For further details: Chapter 9. • Parameters: This accesses the machining parameters editor. For further details:

Chapter 5. • Company: The user can enter all the details of his/her company and logo. For

further details: Chapter 3. • Settings: This accesses the program settings panel. For further details:

Chapter 4.

mecanitzats ninou

8

• Database: It enables the database location to be set, i.e. wherever the user will save all the information created using Tempo. For further details: Chapter 6.

• Machines: It accesses the machine editor, where the user can add, modify and delete machines, among other operations. For further details: Chapter 7.

• Feedback: It accesses the feedback tool. For further details: Chapter 10. • Exit: To close the program.

3. Company

Figure 2

As figure 2 shows, this form enables the user to enter his/her company details, although only those that are relevant for printing out quotes. It also allows a company logo to be added.The procedure is very simple:

• Click on the text boxes and the boxes will go a turquoise color, which tells the user that text can be entered or modified.

• All the boxes should be filled in with the required information. • Next, press the Search for logo button and a typical file finder form will open,

so that the user can specify the directory path where the company logo is located.

tempo9

• Both the logo and the rest of the details are optional. • Once all the details that the user deems appropriate have been entered, press

Save. • To close this company screen, press Close.

4. settings

Figure 3

The settings screen (figure 3) allows some of the options related to the Tempo screens to be selected.For instance, the user can choose the language in which he/she wishes to work with Tempo. This version has 6 languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Basque, French and English.The user can also choose to work with or without sound in the buttons, with or without voice error messages, and with or without visual effects. These three options will be acti-vated by default, as they facilitate interaction with the Tempo program. If the PC responds slowly, it would be advisable to deactivate them.Lastly, the user can choose the settings for 3 e-mail screens. The first is a screen to send quotes to clients, which will be used from the quotes screen (Chapter 9) by pressing the e-mail button. The second screen is used to send e-mails to raw material suppliers, which will be used from the Clients screen (Chapter 11) by pressing the Material button. The third screen is used to send e-mails to external processes suppliers, which will also be used from the Clients screen by pressing the External processes button.

mecanitzats ninou

10

When the user is happy with the selected options, all he/she needs to do is press Save and then Exit to leave this screen and return to the front page. You will see that the pro-gram loads the front page again to restore the language change, where applicable.

5. Parameters

The parameters screen (figure 4) is very important, in fact, much of the accuracy for calculating quotes depends on this screen. Furthermore, if the user does a good job of entering the parameters, he/she will not need to enter this screen very often.The user must enter the machining parameters according to the materials, according to the machines, according to the materials and machines, or according to any other variable that the user may find useful.You can create as many parameter banks as you wish, there are no limits. For example: Take, say, a company that only works with 2 types of material: AISI 316 L (very hard stainless steel) and F212 (easy-to-machine steel). It also has 10 machines: 8 normal machines and 2 high speed machines.

It might be a good idea for this user to create 4 parameter banks:

1. AISI 316 L bank - To work with AISI 316 L and the 8 normal machines.2. AISI 316 L high speed machines bank - To work with AISI 316 L and the 2 high

speed machines.3. F212 bank – To work with F212 and the 8 normal machines.4. F212 high speed machines bank – To work with F212 and the 2 high speed

machines.In this way, the user will always have the bank that best suits the material and machine used.

The functions of the other buttons on this screen are explained below:

Add: Press this button to generate a new bank code. The content of all the text boxes will be deleted, and the boxes will turn a green color. The user can now start to enter information. It is essential to give the new bank a name, and if possible, to make it a descriptive name that is easy to identify. It is optional to complete the other boxes, although it is highly recommended.Delete: When you press this button, the parameter bank that is loaded on screen at that moment will be deleted. If the user wishes to delete another bank instead of the one shown on screen, all you need to do is search for the required bank and then press this button.Search: There are 2 ways to search for a parameter bank:

tempo11

1. Within the Parameter bank framework there is a combo box (the text box on the left with a small arrow). Press this arrow and all the existing banks will be displayed; all you have to do is press on the required bank to load it on screen.

2. Within the Parameter bank, locating the Bank code box; enter the required bank code and then press Search. If the code is correct, the bank parameters will be displayed on screen.

Figure 4

Save: After adding a new bank or modifying an existing bank, you will need to press this button to validate all the new data you have entered.Modify: There is no specific button for modifications. To carry out this operation, you must click on the operation framework that you want to modify; the framework will then turn a greenish color and its text boxes will be unlocked so that they can be modified. Once you have made all the necessary changes, press Save so that all the changes will be registered in the database.

mecanitzats ninou

12

PARAMETERS NOMENCLATURE

Rpm: Maximum revolutions per minute.Cutting meters [m/min]: tool cutting speed expressed in meters per minute.G0 [m/min]: The meters per minute that the lathe turret or the machining center bed can run at high speed (which would correspond to G0 in ISO programming).

Speed [mm/rev]: Working speed expressed in millimeters per revolution. (Would corres-pond to G1 in ISO programming).Speed [mm/min]: Working speed expressed in millimeters per minute. (Would corres-pond to G1 in ISO programming).Q: (for threading with tool): Quantity of thousandths of a millimeter for each threading pass.Extra.leng.: This is the distance between the tool and the material before starting work. (For example: a drill bit can move at fast speed up to z=1 and from then on, start working speed. In this case, Extra.leng. would be 1).Seconds of reversing time: (For threading with taps and dies): Time in seconds that it takes the head to reverse the spinning direction.Ø extra: This is the distance between the tool and the material before starting work. (For example, for a rod of Ø20 with a grooving tool, we make a fast approach at Ø22. In this case, Ø extra = 2mm).U: (For roughing and boring): This is the thickness of each pass of the tool, expressed in millimeters. (For example: If using a rod of Ø20 and U=2, it would mean that a pass of the tool would go from Ø20 to Ø16).Cutting or parting-off device: (for Stop): This is the thickness of the parting-off tool, expressed in millimeters.

PARTING-OFF: This tool will be given special attention, as its nomenclature is somewhat different from all the other operations. There are 3 different speeds and 3 different dia-meters in the framework of this operation:

1. Speed 3 and Rev HEX [rev/min]: Tempo will only use these 2 values where the rod is specified as being hexagonal or square, and only in the process of elimina-ting the vertices of the rod + 1 more millimeter. (For example: if you need to cut off a hexagonal Ø20 rod, the program will apply this speed from outside the 20 hexagon’s vertices + the extra Ø, up to Ø19).

2. Speed 1 and medium Ø: Tempo will apply this Speed 1 from the rod Ø + the extra Ø up to the medium Ø.

3. Speed 2 and final Ø: Tempo will apply this Speed 2 from the medium Ø up to the final Ø (in practice, it is always advisable to lower the cutting conditions in the last millimeters of the parting-off process).

FACING: Follow the same line as with the parting-off process.

tempo13

6. Database

Figure 5, and more specifically the MASTER Database Location framework, shows that there are 3 exclusive options available:

Figure 5

Local computer: (default option), means that the database is located in the same PC on which the program is being run.

Local network: (or LAN), means that the database is located in another PC within a local network.

Remote server: means that the database is located in a remote PC, outside of the local network. You will require the IP address of the remote PC for this.

Once you have selected the appropriate option, press Save, which will open a form where you can locate the TEMPO folder path.

IMPORTANT: • Do NOT select the database or any other file. Select the folder: TEMPO • To make back-up copies of the databases, simply copy the database folder that

is located in the Tempo folder.

Example: (Advanced) If the database is located in a remote PC with IP = 192.168.1.100 and, more specifically, in the C:/Tempo folder, proceed as follows:

mecanitzats ninou

14

The user must make sure that the destination Tempo folder can be shared in the local network. (Further on, still in chapter 6, you will find an explanation of how to share a folder in a local network).

Figure 6

1. Select the third option: Remote server2. In the Server IP text box, type in: 192.168.1.1003. Press Save.4. The screen shown in figure 6 will be displayed. Depending on the structure of

the remote server’s folders, it may be possible to modify the content of the path manually.

5. Press Save.

How to share a folder in our local network (LAN)

Steps to follow:

1. Select the folder that you wish to share in the LAN.2. Right click on the folder and choose the Properties option.3. The screen that appears now will have two tabs. Select the Share tab.4. Make sure you check the 2 options: Share this folder in the network and Allow

other network users to modify my files.5. Press Accept.6. To verify that the process has been completed correctly, you should see that the

shared folder has an icon with a superimposed hand.

tempo15

7. Machines

This form is a machine editor. In the top section of the screen (figure 7) you will see the full list of all the machines that are registered in the database, listed according to machine number. If you click on any row on the table, the content of that machine will be shown in the text boxes in the bottom section of the screen, included in the Machine register framework.In the lower right-hand corner, there are 4 text boxes that allow the user to set the maximum and minimum values for the preparation and manufacturing differentials. The differentials are used to compare the estimated times in the quotes and what is really going on in the parts’ machining process. It is clear that each machine has its own values for preparation and manufacturing differentials.

Figure 7

mecanitzats ninou

16

If these values exceed the set maximum and minimum values, the system will sound a warning alarm. This alarm consists of the field containing the exceeded value turning red on the machine table.

When a machine has a positive differential, i.e. with a value above zero, it indicates that the real times have been lower than the estimated times; in contrast, a nega-tive differential indicates that the real times have been higher than the estimated times.

Example: Let’s suppose we set the minimum preparation differential at -10 hours and the maximum at 10 hours. (these differentials are applied to all the machines independently, i.e. each machine keeps its own account). On the other hand, we have our Machine 1, which has a preparation differential value = - 20 hours.

When the user checks the machine table, he/she will see that the preparation differential field for machine 1 now appears in red. What exactly does this alarm mean? The difference in hours between all the preparations made with machine 1, with regard to the estimated hours given in the corresponding quotes is 20 negative hours, i.e. 20 hours more than expected have been used to prepare machine 1. This is evidently not good news for the company, seeing as this means it has effectively given away 20 hours for free. Looking on the positive side, Tempo has enabled this problem to be detected and from that moment on, the user has learned that, with this particular machine, the preparations are a lot slower than was originally thought.

If the preparation differential value for machine 1 had been set at 20 positive hours, it would have meant that 20 hours less had been used in all the preparations for machine 1 with regard to the estimated number of hours given in the corresponding quote. This can be interpreted in several ways:

1. It could be seen as a good thing, as it means 20 hours in the company’s favor, but on the other hand, it could make the quoted price less competitive. A surplus of hours may go against the amount of quotes accepted by clients.

2. It would be advisable to take note and adjust this surplus of hours. The quoted price will be more competitive and the ratio of accepted quotes will rise.

This example explains the preparation differential, but the manufacturing differential works in the very same way.

Lastly, we come to the editing buttons, located in the central right-hand side of the screen:

Add: Press this button to add a new machine. When you do so, the Machine register text boxes will be cleared and left ready for the user to write in them. The user must enter the required data and then press Save. If everything has been done correctly, the new machine should appear in the machine table. If you wish to cancel the operation of adding a machine, simply click on the machine table.

tempo17

Modify: First, select the machine that you wish to modify. When you do so, the machine’s information will be displayed in the Machine register text boxes. Press Modify and you will see that the boxes have turned a sky blue color. The user must now modify whatever he/she deems appropriate and then press Save. If you wish to cancel the operation of modifying a machine, simply click on the machine table.

Delete: To delete a machine from the database, first you must select the machine, then press Delete. After a deletion confirmation message, the machine will be removed and will no longer appear in the machine table.

Print: Press this button to obtain a report on the selected machine. This report can be saved as a pdf file or printed. Figure 8

Save: This button is used to validate the new information that has been added or any information that has been modified.

Close: The machine form will close.

Figure 8

mecanitzats ninou

18

8. Calculating

times and costs

This form or screen (figure 9) is the most important of all. This is why it deserves special attention. At first glance, if you look at the screen shown in the figure, you can see many different zones and it may look complicated, but it is not; in fact, it is quite simple once you become familiarized with a number of concepts. These concepts are not new, but they are linked to the world of machining and so it could be said that TEMPO does what has always been done when giving a quote, but it does so automatically and more accurately.

Figure 9

Firstly, it is necessary to divide the screen into its different zones in order to accurately and unambiguously identify all the objects displayed there.

tempo19

Quote zone: The leading information is found in this zone: quote number, position, pha-se, number of parts, reference and name. There is also a button with a blank page which can be used to add another quote, and a button with a magnifying glass which is used to find the required quote.

To create a new quote: Press the blank page button and Tempo will automatically create a new quote number, along with Position 1 and Phase 1.To search for an existing quote: Firstly, fill in the quote number, position and phase. Next, press the button shown as a magnifying glass; if the quote exists, the information related to that quote will be displayed on the whole screen.

Machine zone: In this zone, the user must select the most suitable machine to carry out the phase in question. To do so, the user must click on the combo box under the name Machines, and select a machine from the dropdown list. Next, Tempo will extract the information about the selected machine from the machine database and automatically fill in the rest of the text boxes in the machine zone. Even so, the user can still interact on those values and is free to change them without altering the original content of the machine database.There is only one empty box, and that is the one that refers to preparation time. There are 2 options for completing this field:

1. By simply entering an estimated time based on the person in charge of preparation’s experience.

2. By using a special tool for this purpose, which enables all the preparation ope-rations to be detailed. To access that tool, press the Preparation details button in the Preparation buttons zone. (This new form or screen is explained in chapter 8.1)

Tools zone: As you can see in the diagram, this zone has 3 rows of buttons. Each button refers to a machining operation or set of operations. These buttons allow the user to gradually construct a sequence of operations that will form the manufacturing phase.When any of these buttons are pressed, Tempo will request information that the user must supply so that the program can calculate the machining times that will be added to the table in the Operations table zone. (This information is explained in greater detail in chapter 8.3) Quote panel zone: In the top part you will see a text box that informs the user about the parameter bank that is currently active. Consequently, for all operations that are added to this phase, Tempo will use this active parameter bank to calculate the time. To change this active parameter bank, press the Parameter bank button that is located in the Manufacturing buttons zone.In the bottom part of this zone there is a list displaying a full outline of the whole quote that is being created. This list is particularly useful and offers the user an overall view of the full quote. It shows how many positions make up the quote and how many phases there are in each position. It is important to note this as there is only one phase loaded in the whole screen. This list enables the user to access any phase of any position that has already been

mecanitzats ninou

20

created, with a simple double click on the phase. (Another, much more laborious way of loading a phase would be to access the Quotes zone and enter the quote number, position number, phase number and press the magnifying glass button.)

Manufacturing buttons zone: There are 5 buttons in this section:

• Preparation details: This is explained in section 8.1 of this chapter. • Calculate: This button has a very limited use, as the program makes the calcula-

tions automatically. This button should only be pressed in a specific case where the result does not prove satisfactory following the automatic process.

• Parameter bank: This is where you can select the parameter bank. (This is explai-ned in section 8.2 of this chapter).

• Const. Cutting Sp. ON/OFF: (Constant cutting speed): The default value is ON. Repeatedly pressing this button will change the status, alternating from ON to OFF and from OFF to ON. Working with a constant cutting speed means that the set cutting meters are kept and, therefore, as the Ø decreases, the revolutions per minute increase until the maximum revolutions point is reached, and vice versa. If the user is working with a machine that operates on constant revolu-tions per minute, he/she should set this parameter to OFF. If working with a constant cutting speed in OFF, when you add an operation to the operations table, in the Details column, you will be able to see: [CST R/m].

• Sub-operation OFF/ON: Default value is OFF. Repeatedly pressing this button will change the status, alternating from OFF to ON and from ON to OFF. This button is very important and is commonly used. If you look at the operations ta-ble, you can see that every operation has a manufacturing time and a machine time. The machine time is the sum of the time it takes for the turret to turn + the approach and release + extra time. Sometimes the user may find it more useful for Tempo not to count the machine time, as it is possible to do two different consecutive operations with the same tool. When you do the second operation, you will not need to call on the tool again, so you will not need to count the machine time again. In this case, you will need to press this button and activate the SUB-OPERATION. When the sub-operation is set to ON, the names of the operations in the operations table will appear with a prefix [Sub]. (When an operation has already been added to the operations table, it is still possible to change it to sub-operation, or the other way round, by double clicking on the first column of the corresponding row.)

Operations table zone: This table contains the list of operations in the phase that is displayed on screen. There are 6 columns in this section: Operation name, operation details, machine time, operation time, the total of the 2 times, and the type of tool used. (The type of tool will be explained in section 8.4 of this chapter.)

tempo21

Table buttons zone: This is used to edit the operations table. Taking the buttons from top to bottom, as in Figure 9:

1. Button one: To access the Tool type editor. (Chapter 8-4).2. Button two: To insert a previously copied row just above the selected row.3. Button three: To insert a previously copied row at the end of the operations

table.4. Button four: To copy the selected rows in a virtual storage area.5. Button five: To cut the selected rows and paste in a virtual storage area.6. Button six: To delete the selected rows.7. Button seven: To delete all the rows in the operations table.

Information panel zone: this zone provides information about the following: Parts per hour, manufacturing cost per part, preparation cost per part, total cost (sum of the 2 previous costs), manufacturing time per part in seconds, manufacturing time per part in minutes and seconds.

Editing buttons zone:

• Delete positions: When you press this button, all the manufacturing content (all the positions and all the phases they contain) from the quote that appears in the quote zone will be deleted. (The quote will not be deleted, only the manu-facturing content.)

• Save: When this button is pressed, the user will save all the information from the phase displayed on screen.

• Save + Phase: The phase information will be saved and then a new phase added.

• Quotes: To access the quotes form or screen (Chapter 9). • Phase report: A report is created of the content of the operations table, speci-

fying the machine used. Later, it offers the option of saving it in pdf format and/or printing.

• Exit: To close this screen and return to the front page..

mecanitzats ninou

22

8.1. Preparation details

Press the Preparation detail button, located in the Calculating times and costs form, to access this screen (figure 10).

Figure 10

This editor enables the user to create a sequence of preparation operations for the phase that is being quoted.On the left-hand side of the screen there is a preparation operations database. Each one is given with its time in minutes. This operations database can be fully edited by the user, i.e. the user may choose to delete, add or modify anything he/she deems appropriate. In order to edit the database, you must use the tools included in the Preparation opera-tions editing zone.

Preparation operations editing

• Save operation: Once you have entered an operation in the Define operation text box and an associated time in the Time text box, press this button to save this information in the database. You will then be able to see that this operation has been added to the operations table on the left of the screen.

tempo23

• Select without saving: When an operation is not very common, we recom-mend you do not save it, as the more operations there are, the more complica-ted it will be to find them. It is better to only save the most common operations. Even though the operation is not saved, it can still be added to the list of prepa-ration operations, simply by pressing this button. You will then be able to see that this operation has not been added to the preparation operations database, but that it has indeed been added to the list of quote preparation operations.

• New: The text boxes will be deleted so that the user can enter a new operation.

• Remove: To remove a preparation operation, first you must select the prepara-tion operations table and then press this button.

In the bottom right-hand side of the screen you will find the Quote preparation editing zone, which is where the user will create the list of preparation operations for the phase that is being quoted.

Quote preparation editing

• Select: there are 2 ways to select an element from the operations database and add it to the list of operations for the phase that is being quoted: Click on the required element from the table and then press this button, or double click on the required element from the table.

• Delete row: To delete an operation from the list of operations for our quote, first select the operation and then press this button.

• Remove preparation: Pressing this button means all the operations for the phase that is being quoted will be deleted, but in order for this to be definitive, you must press Save preparation in the Preparation time zone.

Preparation times

• Print: This button enables you to print out the list of operations that make up the preparation of the phase that is being quoted and/or save it in pdf format.

• Send: If you press this button, the preparation time will be sent to the Calcula-ting times and costs screen and this screen will close. So it is very important to press Save preparation before sending it, providing the user wishes to keep this information.

• Save preparation: The entire sequence of operations that make up the prepa-ration for the phase that is being quoted will be saved in the database.

• Cancel: This screen will close and you will return to the Calculating times and costs screen.

mecanitzats ninou

24

8.2. Parameter banks

Figure 11

From the Calculating times and costs screen, by pressing the Parameters bank button that is located in the manufacturing buttons zone, we will come to this form or screen (figure 11).

As you can see in the above figure, this screen has only one dropdown combo box and two buttons. The dropdown combo box has the list of all the parameter banks that have previously been entered from the Parameters screen (Chapter 5). The user must select the bank that most suits his/her needs, and then press the button with an Arrow icon to return to the Calculating times and costs screen. (If you look on the Calculating times and costs screen, more specifically in the quote panel zone, you can see that the active parameter bank has changed).

If the user wishes to leave this screen and go back to the Calculating times and costs screen without selecting a parameter bank, he/she must press the cancel button that appears as a cross.

8.3. Manufacturing operations

This section will offer a more detailed explanation of the tools zone in the Calculating times and costs screen. As can be seen in figure 12, Tempo has 12 operations, or groups of operations, for the user to create the sequence of operations for the phase that is being quoted.When the user presses an operation, the program will open a sub-form similar to that shown in figure 3 (similar in appearance, although its content will be different, depending on the operation).

If the user presses a group of operations, the program will open a sub-group similar to the one shown in figure 13. In other words, another set of buttons with more operations.

tempo25

Roughing

Figure 12

Example: If, in figure 12, the user chooses the Roughing group of operations, the pro-gram will display the sub-form shown in figure 13. If, on this new form, the user requires a quote for a rectangular roughing, and consequently presses the Rectangle button, the program will show Figure 14.

As you can see in Figure 14, there are several zones:

Parameters: The parameters that correspond to the activated parameter bank and the roughing operation will appear by default, but the user is free to modify the content of these text boxes.

Figure 13

Information: This zone does not appear in all operations. It simply serves to offer the user a bit more information.

mecanitzats ninou

26

Times: This zone has two text boxes that show the time that has been calculated by Tem-po. The top box shows the time in seconds, and the bottom box in minutes and seconds. Although the program provides an accurate calculation of time, the user can always interact and change the value obtained as he/she wishes.

Details: The values that the user needs to enter so that Tempo can calculate the ope-ration time. In order to calculate the time of a rectangular roughing operation, 9 values are required (details + parameters), but given that the parameters have already been entered, the user only needs to enter 3 values to make the calculation.

Figure 14

8.4. Types of tools

To reach this screen or form (figure 15), you must press the first button on the table buttons zone in the Calculating times and costs screen. Although prior to pressing that button, the user must have selected one or more rows from the operations table (i.e. all the operations that are going to use the same tool).

This screen is divided into two clearly differentiated zones:

Tool database zone: This is a list of all the tools or types of tools that have been created by the user to date. The user must select a tool (click on a tool from the table) and then press the Select button. On doing so, this screen will close and you will return to the Calculating times and costs screen.

It is advisable to not keep a particularly large database of tools, so that the user can find it easier to locate the required tool. When the tool the user is searching for does not exist in the database, he/she can create it and send it to the Calculating times and costs screen, or, if it is not considered to be a very common tool or not used very often, the user can simply enter the name of the tool in the Name field in the Tool editing zone and then press Select. This tool will then be sent to the Calculating times and costs screen, but it will not be saved in the tool database.

tempo27

Figure 15

Tool editing zone: This zone is a tool editor. This is where the user can create, modify and delete as many tools as he/she deems necessary.

Save tool: In order to save a tool, you need to enter at least a reference and a name. All the other details are complementary and can be filled in or not, following the user’s own criteria. Once this button has been pressed, you will be able to see that the tool has been added to the list of tools.

New tool: When you press this button, all the text boxes will be cleared so that the user can enter the information for the new tool.

mecanitzats ninou

28

Modify: In order to modify a tool, first you need to have selected it from the tool database. When you select a tool, the program will display all the information for that tool in the text boxes in the tool editor. From here, the user can modify the content as he/she requires, and once finished, press Save tool.

Remove: In order to remove a tool, first you need to have selected it from the tool database. When you select a tool, the program will display all the information for that tool in the text boxes in the tool editor. At this point, the user can press this button to remove the selected tool.

Cancel: To leave this screen and go back to the Calculating times and costs screen without having selected any tool.

9. quotes

The quotes screen or form (figure 16) is one of the most important elements of the Tem-po program. All offers or quotes will start their construction from this screen. First, each of the detailed zones from Figure 16 will be explained, and then a step-by-step example will be given of how an offer is created.

Editing buttons zone

New offer: Press this button to create a new quote. The program will automatically gene-rate a quote number, although the user is free to change it.Delete offer: If you press this button, the offer that is active on screen will be deleted, after a deletion confirmation message has been given.New row: This button is used to add positions to our offer. When you press this button, a small form is opened so that the user can enter the reference for the part in question, the name of the part and the amount of parts to be included in the quote.Delete row: The user must select a position from the quote and then press this button to remove it.Calculate times: The Calculating times and costs screen is opened.Material: The Material editing screen (explained in chapter 9.1) is opened.Other: The external or sub-contracted processes editing screen is opened. (Explained in chapter 9.2)Statistics: The Statistics screen (explained in chapter 9.3) is opened.E-mail: The user’s default e-mail editor opens. A new e-mail is created. Apply the relevant screen (which can be modified from Settings, chapter 4) and add the quote to the attached files (providing the user has first saved it in the Quote folder, included in the Tempo folder).Print: A report of the created quote is given. It can be printed out and/or saved in pdf format.Exit: To close the quotes screen and return to the Front page.

tempo29

Quote zone

Where you will find all the information about the quote: the quote number, client name, each position that is, in turn, made up of: reference, name, quantity, material, cost of material, preparation cost, manufacturing cost, sub-contracting costs, total cost, delivery date and comments.

In the bottom left of this zone you will find the sub-contracted or external processes table. This table lists all the costs of sub-contracting or other costs for each of the positions.

The way to interact in this zone is very simple. The user can click on any row of the main table to select a quote position. You will see that the selected row turns a greenish color. If this position has 1 or more sub-contracted or other operations, this information will appear on the sub-contracted or other operations table. The user cannot change anything in this zone through direct interaction, except for one thing: the quote number to search for a specific offer, by pressing the magnifying glass button.

Figure 16

mecanitzats ninou

30

Details zone

This zone is for adding a delivery date and comment to each position, as well as amen-ding the total price.Once the user has selected a position from the positions table, the heading of the details zone will display the position number, the part reference and the part name. From this point, the user can enter the following:

The delivery date: Using the dropdown combo box, which already contains a list of the different delivery terms. When the user selects one of the dropdown options, the text will immediately appear in the text box on the right. If, for any reason, none of the terms listed satisfies the client, he/she can change the content of the aforementioned text box. If the user wishes to change the language of the listed terms, he/she can do so from the printing zone.

A comment: In this text box, the user can add a comment regarding the position, which will appear in the final quote.

A new position total: In this text box, the user can change the calculated price.

Buttons in this zone:

One position: Once the delivery date, comment and final price have been completed to the user’s satisfaction, he/she can press this button to validate this information within the position shown in the heading of this zone.

All positions: To extend the function of the One position button to all the positions in the quote. However, two important aspects must be taken into account:

1. This function only applies to the delivery date and comment, NEVER to the new total.

2. If the New total had previously been changed in any of the positions, on pressing this button the change will be cancelled, and the original total values calculated by Tempo will be restored.

Multi-quote: This accesses the multi-quote management screen (explained in chapter 9.4). A multi-quote entails offering the same reference with different quantities.

Client zone

This zone has two parts:The upper: which has the client code, client name and offer date.On one hand, if the client already exists in the database, its name will appear when the user types in the client code and presses enter (if the user cannot remember the client code, he/she can press the button to the right of the client code text box to access the client editor and check the required data).

tempo31

On the other hand, if the client does not already exist in the database and is not a regular client, it may not be relevant for them to enter their details. The user also has the option of writing the client’s name directly and overlooking the client code.With regard to the offer date: If you click on the date text box, you will get today’s date. Obviously, the user can change this as he/she wishes.Once all this information has been entered, the user must press the blue arrow button to validate it.

The lower: Where you can edit and add the quote validity date. This zone has 3 buttons that combine to form a mini editor. Pressing the magnifying glass repeatedly will allow you to see all the quote validity dates in the database. If there is no date to suit the user’s requirements, he/she can enter a date of his/her choice and press the diskette button to save. Furthermore, those quote validity dates that are not accepted can be removed using the eraser button.

Printing zoneThis zone has 6 buttons that enable the user to choose the language for the quote. (It also changes the language of the combo list in the Details zone.)

EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CREATE A QUOTE

The client: CLIENT1 LTD. requests the price to manufacture 50 units of reference number: 010101, under the Name: TIGHTENING NUT. Material AISI304 (Stainless steel).Once machined, the parts have to be tempered and hardened, then honed.

1. Press New offer. Tempo will generate a quote number (the number will depend on the quotes that already exist in the database, but for the case of our example, the number is not important) and open a small form to enter the details of the first position. From the second position on, we must press New row to add a new position.

2. Enter Reference: 010101 Name: TIGHTENING NUT Quantity: 50, press Send (blue arrow)à You can see that a new row has been added to the positions table. At this point all the costs are at zero.

3. Press: Material à (Explained in chapter 9.1). We obtain the cost of the material, a process which we will not explain here to not deviate from the example. At this point, we have all the costs at zero, except for the material cost, which is right now equal to the total cost.

4. Press: Other à (Explained in chapter 9.2). We obtain the cost of the tempering and hardening on one hand, and the cost of honing on the other. At this point, we have the material cost, the tempering and hardening cost, and the honing cost, all added together.

5. Press: Calculate times à (Explained in chapter 8). We obtain the preparation cost and the manufacturing cost. At this point, we have the total cost of the part, all added together.

mecanitzats ninou

32

6. We will now move onto the printing zone and select the language in which we wish to create the quote.

7. We should now select the position (or row on the main table) we are interested in, to add the Details zone information. In this case, seeing as there is only one position, it will already be selected, and if we look at the heading of the Details zone, we will be able to see position 1, reference 010101 and the name, TIGHTENING NUT.

8. Enter the delivery date, any comment we wish to make, and if we want to, we can amend the new position total.

9. Press either of the two buttons: All positions or one position, and we will be able to see that our information has been validated in the quotes zone. The New position total is located to the right of the quote number and the client name.

10. We now go to the client zone: enter the client name: CLIENT1 LTD. or enter the client code and press enter (in the event that we have the client already in the database of clients and suppliers), click on the date text box to show today’s date, and then press send (button with the blue arrow).

11. Press the print button. The quote report is opened and we can see the details of our company in the heading on the left, and the logo on the right.

12. Press the Save button (shown as a diskette).

13. A typical Windows file finder form is opened. Search for the Quotes folder which will be found in the Tempo folder. Once we have found the folder, enter the file name, which must exactly match the quote number. Press Save. If we require a printed copy of the quote, press the Print button.

14. If we wish to send the quote to our client by e-mail, press the e-mail button in the editing buttons zone. If the client is registered in the database and has an e-mail address, this will appear in the For: field. We can see that our quote in pdf format is in the attached files zone and we can also see the e-mail screen created in chapter 4: Settings. Make any final changes to the e-mail message, if necessary, and press Send.

15. We have now created our first quote. Congratulations!

9.1. Material

If we look at figure 17, we can see that this form or screen is divided into 3 clearly diffe-rent sections: The Materials Editor zone, the Material Quote zone and the Send zone.

Materials Editor Zone: It is a materials editor, so it enables the user to add new mate-rials, delete materials and modify materials. The function of each button will not be ex-plained for reasons of repetition. Different editors have been explained throughout the manual, and they all practically work the same (for example: Machines editor, chapter 7).

tempo33

What we will explain, however, are the unique features of this Editor. To start with, it has two lists in the upper section: Types of materials and Materials. The program will have certain types and materials already created by default, but the user can choose to remove them, modify them and add new types and new materials as he/she wishes.

To select a material, first specify what type of material it is by selecting it from the list of types; next state what material it is, by selecting it from the list of materials; and finally, you will see a table with all the different estimates for this material. An estimate offers: the diameter and shape of the rod, the date of the estimate, the estimated price and the supplier that gave us the estimation. If any of the listed estimates is valid, it can be selected from the list, if not, a new material record can be added.

Figure 17

When an element is selected from the table of materials, the name of the material, the name of the supplier and the supplier’s rates can be seen to be validated in the Material Quote zone. The other details are not validated because they do not necessarily have to coincide with what the user is looking for (for example: we have an estimate for a Ø11 from 2 days ago and now we have to estimate a Ø12, we believe that we have a good price and we use it. There is no need to call the supplier to request a price again).

mecanitzats ninou

34

The user can add a % surcharge on the supplier’s price, as we will normally add the material handling and transport costs to the supplier’s price. We recommend you add a surcharge. The surcharge text box is located in the top right-hand corner of this zone.

Material Quote Zone: You need to have selected a material first (see Materials Editor Zone).There are 2 ways to calculate the cost of the material:

1. Option 1: If you know the material’s density, this is the quickest and easiest option. (by default)

2. Option 2: Using tables of materials that give the material’s mass per meter.

If the text box for option 2 (Mass of a meter of material) is empty, Tempo will always use option 1. If, on the other hand, this box contains a value, Tempo will ask which option you wish to use.Once the user has entered the diameter and the length, Tempo will automatically calcu-late the cost per part, including the surcharge.

How to calculate the density of a material.The density of a material is the mass of that material divided by the volume it occupies. Therefore, if we have a Ø30 rod of AISI 303, our material supplier will probably not know the density but he/she will know how much a meter weighs. You can also check the standard tables (those in option 2).

A meter of AISI 303 with a Ø30 weighs 5.5 kg:

The radius r = 15 mm, the length l = 1 m = 1000 mmA meter of AISI 303 has a volume of: V = π x r2 x l = 3.1416 x 152 x 1000 = 706,860 mm3

In cubic meters: 706,860 / 1,000,000,000 = 0.000706 m3

So the density is à Density = mass / volume = 5.5 / 0.000706 = 7790 kg / m3

Send Zone: At this stage we will have the Material Quote zone ready (see Material Quote zone).

The user must press the Int Info (internal information) button to automatically fill in the Internal explanation text box with the details of the material estimate. The user is free to modify the text and add whatever he/she deems appropriate. Lastly, the user must press the Send button to close this screen and validate this information in our quote.This screen will close when the Cancel button is pressed.

tempo35

9.2. Other

This screen or form (figure 18) is aimed at any cost that can be quantified by weight, but it can also be used for any other costs. It has been programmed in such a way that it can work for any costs of any kind, including material, preparation and manufacturing, which already have their own screens.

The heading on this screen displays the quote number, position number, reference and name of the part that is being estimated.

On the right-hand side, there is a sub-contracted operations editor. This editor works in exactly the same way as many of the others that have already been discussed in this manual, so there is no need for a detailed explanation here. As you can see in Figure 18, there are only two fields in the editor: Treatment and price/kg. As has already been mentioned, this editor was designed for those sub-contracted operations that could be counted by weight. Consequently, all those heat treatments or chemical baths that meet this criterion can be entered here. However, there are many other sub-contracted operations that cannot be counted by weight. In this case, they can be entered and a zero typed into the price/kg field.

Figure 18

mecanitzats ninou

36

If the user has already obtained the cost of the material (i.e. he/she has calculated the cost of the material beforehand with the materials editor), on the left-hand side of this screen there are two values on display, and these are the mass of the material for an unmachined part (exact value) and the same value for the mass of a machined part (approximate value).

Depending on the part, the second value may either be good enough in some cases or in other cases it may be totally unacceptable. In those cases where the mass of the machined part is sufficiently lower than the mass of the material, the user will need to enter the mass of the machined part manually. If this information is acceptable, just click on the treatments table to obtain the exact cost of the sub-contracted operation.

If the operation does not match any that can be quantified by weight, the mass of the part is therefore not important, and when you click on the table, you will be able to see that the name of the operation is validated on the left-hand side of the screen and the cost will remain at zero. The user will have previously obtained a price from the supplier, which will need to be replaced by the zero. There is also a text box to add an internal explanation, which is very useful for specifying the supplier, original price, whether the user has added a surcharge, etc.

Apart from the use that has just been explained, it can also have a more general use. This general use is aimed especially at those users who do not have the plus module or to quote very basic parts that do not require the advantages of the Calculating times and costs screen.

All the costs in the quote can be displayed using this screen: Material cost, preparation cost, manufacturing cost and other costs. Simply write the name of the cost in the Concept text box and enter the cost in the Cost/part box. This process should be done one by one, and always giving an explanation in the internal information box, pressing Send for each cost. In fact, this system could be called the traditional method of calcu-lating quotes and estimates; doing the same job with Tempo has many advantages, as all the information that is written down is recorded and can be made available instantly.

9.3. Statistics

This is an information and control screen or form. (Figure 19)As you can see in the upper section, you can filter the entries according to date, so that you can make a selection of all the quotes issued between two specific dates. You can also filter by client code and combinations of dates and client codes. If the user wishes to see all the quotes, he/she must press the All button.

Each row on the table represents an offered position. If the row is white, it means that the quote has not been accepted by the client as yet. If the row is light green, however, this means that the quote has been accepted by the client. The last column on the table is a square that may be colored in sky blue to indicate that the position in question forms part of a multi-quote, or lilac when it is not part of a multi-quote.

tempo37

Whether or not it forms part of a multi-quote is important when it comes to counting the number of accepted quotes with regard to the total number of quotes given. Offering the same reference with five different quantities (Multi-quote) means that one quantity will appear in lilac and the other four will be in sky blue. If the client accepts one of the 5, Tempo will count 1 accepted offer out of 1, and not out of 5, therefore the effectiveness ratio will be 100%, instead of 20%.

In the lower section of the screen, there is a series of control figures divided into 3 frameworks:The left framework specifies the total number of quotes in the user’s selection, the number of accepted quotes and their percentage of the total.

The middle framework makes an economic assessment. On one hand, it displays the total in euros of all the quotes listed in the table, the euros of the positions that have been accepted by the client, and the euros corresponding to those that have not been accepted. On the other hand, it displays the euros corresponding to the cost of the mate-rial in all the accepted positions, and the total profit from all the accepted positions.

The right framework displays the total euros of all the rows that the user has manually selected, together with the cost of the material and the profit that they would generate if they are accepted by the corresponding clients.

Figure 19

mecanitzats ninou

38

Lastly, we need to explain how the Quote Accepted YES/NO button works: when one or more positions have been accepted by the client or clients, the user can select those rows and press this button to validate this information in the database. You will see that the selected rows now turn a greenish color. The process works in the same way the other way round.

9.4. Multi-quotes

As you can see in figure 20, the heading of this form or screen displays all the relevant information about the position that is being offered.

The objective of this screen is for Tempo to calculate the price for different quantities. To do so, the user must enter the list of quantities required in the New quantities text box, separated by a comma, and then press Apply.

As many rows as the user has required quantities will appear on the table in the lower section of the screen. If you look at the content of these new rows, you can see that all the material costs are equal for all the quantities, except the preparation cost, which decreases as the quantity of parts increases.From here on, the user can apply discounts to each row independently. To do so, the user must use the DISCOUNT APPLIED text box. Firstly, select the row; secondly, enter the discount; and thirdly, press Apply.

Figure 20

tempo39

When the user is happy with the changes made, press Send. When you do so, the Multi-quotes screen will close and the Quotes screen will appear. On this new screen you will see that the number of rows in the main table has increased in the same amount as the user has added new quantities.

If you press Exit, this screen will close without validating any multi-quote in the Quotes screen.

10. feedback

The purpose of the screen or form shown in figure 21 is to compare the estimated times that have been given in the offers created by the user with real manufacturing times.

Figure 21

mecanitzats ninou

40

Therefore, this tool can only be used with the positions accepted by the clients, and once the parts have been machined.

Each phase of each position has a possible feedback. To enter the feedback for a phase, you firstly have to search in the database. To do so:

1. Type in the quote number in the corresponding box and press enter.

2. A sub-form will open with all the positions in this quote: choose the required position.

3. A sub-form will open with all the phases of the chosen position: choose the required phase.

4. The text boxes will be loaded with the reference and name of the part, the machine number, the machine name, estimated preparation and manufacturing times.

5. The user must enter the machine used and the real preparation and manufacturing times.

6. You will see that relative differentials of preparation and manufacturing are calculated, which are simply the differences between the estimated values and the real values.

7. Press Save.

These relative differentials are gradually stored within the preparation and manufactu-ring differentials for each machine. In the machines editor ( the maximum and minimum levels for the preparation and manufacturing differentials are registered. These maxi-mum and minimum levels apply to all the machines. When a machine exceeds these limits, an alarm is sounded and displayed in the machines editor. An alarm of this kind means that the machined offers with a specific machine are too far removed from the estimated times, whether above or below. When an alarm is genera-ted, corrective action must be taken to this respect.

Thanks to this feedback system, the user can improve its skills in creating offers day by day.

tempo41

11. Clients

The form shown in figure 22 is a clients and suppliers editor. The top part of the screen displays the full list of all the clients and suppliers that are registered in the database, listed according to their code. If you click on any row on this table, the content of that cli-ent or supplier will be shown in the text boxes in the bottom part of the screen, included in the Client register framework.

We will not explain the editing buttons here, as they have been explained several times throughout this manual for similar editors. For the Add, Modify, Delete and Save but-tons, please see the machines editor (Chapter 7).

Figure 22

mecanitzats ninou

42

As you can see in figure 21, the program offers the possibility of adding 5 people per client, each one with his/her personalized e-mail address. If the user wishes to send an e-mail to any of these people, simply select the client and then double click on the required e-mail address.

There are also two buttons for sending e-mails in the set of buttons in the lower section of the screen.

Material: This button is used to send e-mails to materials suppliers. When you press this button, if there is more than one materials supplier in the database, a sub-form will open with a list of all the possible e-mail addresses that can be added. The user can select those he/she deems appropriate and press Continue. The user’s default e-mail editor will automatically open, with all the e-mail addresses for the different suppliers included as blind copies (so that no supplier can see that the same e-mail has been sent to other rival suppliers). The e-mail will also come with the template that was created in the Settings screen (Chapter 4), more specifically the e-mail template for material prices.

External processes: This button is used to send e-mails to sub-contract or external processes suppliers. When you press this button, if there is more than one sub-contract supplier in the database, a sub-form will open with a list of all the possible e-mail ad-dresses that can be added. The user can select those he/she deems appropriate and press Continue. The user’s default e-mail editor will automatically open, with all the e-mail addresses for the different suppliers included as blind copies (so that no supplier can see that the same e-mail has been sent to other rival suppliers). The e-mail will also come with the template that was created in the Settings screen (Chapter 4), more specifically the e-mail template for external processes.

IMPORTANT: some e-mail editors do not accept blind copy. In this case, the e-mail editor will only have one e-mail address instead of all the selected addresses.

tempo43

software for calculating

machining time and cost

www.cutools.com

c/ Tallers, 10 08160 Montmeló (Barcelona)Tel: 93 593 29 61 Fax: 93 570 70 71e- mail: jninou@mecaninou.com

calculating machining time and cost

www.cutools.com

c/ Tallers, 10 08160 Montmeló (Barcelona)Tel: 93 593 29 61 Fax: 93 570 70 71e- mail: jninou@mecaninou.com

software for calculating

machining time and cost