Bluestreak™ Reading Time: 6 minutes
su•per•fi•ci•al•i•ty (Part Five)
Simplified QMS Software Leads to Inadequate Outcomes with Notable Downsides.
If your Quality Management System (QMS) is not solving your production issues, it’s time to consider a strategic shift. Consider not just meeting the minimum standards but exceeding them with a system designed to tackle the complexities of modern manufacturing head-on.
Prioritizing Correctness Over Simplicity
“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy.
I am telling you it’s going to be worth it.”
~ Art Williams
Below is an eye-opening Case Study showing the extensive process that a global powerhouse company went through when selecting its much-needed QMS and MES software system.
GE Aviation, ATC & Bluestreak™ - Why did ATC look for a better MES system?
The ATC (Additive Technology Center), located just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, was established at GE Aviation after acquiring Morris Technologies, one of the early leaders in Additive Manufacturing. Now, ATC, is one of world’s leaders in Additive Manufacturing of Aviation, Commercial, Marine and land-based jet engine parts and components.
GE Aviation, ATC & Bluestreak™ - Why did ATC look for a better MES system?
The ATC, located just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, was established at GE Aviation after acquiring Morris Technologies, one of the early leaders in Additive Manufacturing. Now, ATC, is one of world’s leaders in Additive Manufacturing of Aviation, Commercial, Marine and land-based jet engine parts and components. At the time ATC was established, they used two (2) separate MES/ERP systems.
• ATC used E2 Shoptech for half of the office/shop and Infor Visual for the other half.
• Neither of the systems fit the needs of ATC and the Additive Manufacturing format.
• Neither software was customizable.
• Both had limited users. Purchased seats of software. Users struggled to get access.
• Everything was on paper. Very limited data. Changes were made on paper but not in the systems, making data mining and traceability impossible.
• Used many Excel spreadsheets, Access, and Project schedules. Limited access to all.
• Nonconformances were tracked on paper, not electronically. No control.
• WIP (work in process) tracking was done manually by searching spreadsheets and walking the shop floor.
• Struggled with finding information during audits.
• Technicians must search the network for information and documents to perform their tasks.
Because of the issues and challenges, ATC began the search for a new MES system. The options that the new system needed were:
• Customizable software to fit ATC’s needs.
• Integrated WIP Tracking and full visibility of all Work Orders (WO).
• User-friendly, easy to learn and use.
• Document storage linked to WOs.
• Quality and Nonconformance control.
• Integrated Serial Numbers.
After evaluating multiple MES systems, Bluestreak™ was a clear choice. They fit all of ATC’s needs. ATC went live with the Bluestreak QMS + MES™ platform after only a few months of setup, configuration, and staff training. The Bluestreak™ and ATC teams worked together to customize the software to fit all of ATC’s Additive Manufacturing needs. Today, there are over 6000 active Work Orders on the floor and over 120 users.
Some of the clear benefits of Bluestreak™ are:
• Unlimited users at no additional cost.
• User controls. Able to assign Roles to limit user’s access and permissions. Only qualified employees can perform certain tasks.
• Complete and accurate WIP Tracking.
• Real-time WO status and reporting.
• Full genealogy of and searchable by Serial Numbers, WOs, Customers, Technician data input, Production Pathway™ operational transactions, Quality Characteristics and Data questions, Material Lot numbers, Build Plate linkages, etc.
• Auto-generated Serial Numbers for all build plates and every part on the build.
• Able to use Specifications to limit Equipment choices. Only qualified Equipment can be chosen by Technicians. Can also qualify employees and vendors for certain job steps.
• BlueDocs™ and revision-controlled document storage, approvals, and publishing.
• Migrated all Quality system documents to BlueDocs™.
• Technicians have all the information they need to perform tasks, including access to all documents and work instructions.
• Fully integrated nonconformances are documented by WO number and serial number.
• Virtually paperless. All information is stored electronically and fully trackable.
• Auditors are always very impressed with Bluestreak™ and the ability to pull up any information for all job scenarios.
• Bluestreak’s™ nonconformance tracking has virtually eliminated all quality escapes.
• Bluestreak’s™ support team is amazing. They can always help at a moment's notice, are very easy to work with, and are open to suggestions or ideas for improvement.
Before Bluestreak™, ATC struggled to manage and track WOs throughout the shop. Bluestreak™ has made this effortless. Any customer, at any time, can ask for the status of their parts and get an accurate update instantly. Reporting and WIP tracking make it easy to manage the over 6,000 active WOs at any time. Capacity planning has been made easy with Bluestreak™. Bluestreak™ was and continues to be the clear winner for GE ATC’s Additive Manufacturing needs.
-end of Case Study-
Conclusion
Simplified QMS Software Leads to Inadequate Outcomes
In today's complex manufacturing landscape, selecting the right QMS software isn't just about meeting standards—it's about driving excellence and ensuring long-term success. As the case study with GE Aviation's Additive Technology Center (ATC) demonstrates, choosing a robust, customizable, and user-friendly solution like Bluestreak™ can be a game-changer. ATC's transformation from struggling with inadequate systems to achieving seamless operations and unparalleled traceability highlights the importance of investing in a QMS and MES platform that not only meets but exceeds the demands of modern manufacturing.
Bluestreak™ enabled GE ATC to overcome its production challenges, meticulously tracking and managing every work order, nonconformance, and quality metric. This level of control and visibility sets Bluestreak™ apart, making it the preferred choice for companies that refuse to compromise on quality.
As your business grows and evolves, your QMS should do more than keep up—it should lead the way. With Bluestreak™, you're not just choosing software; you're choosing a partner committed to your success. Don't settle for less when your production's excellence and compliance are at stake. Invest in Bluestreak I Bright AM™ and take your manufacturing to the next level.
If you are using the right software in the right way, the savings alone will pay for the software and improve your profits month after month in perpetuity. Along with your trained workforce, your software must be one of your most important business assets. Without the right software, your workforce will struggle.
Are you ready to upgrade to a system that rises to the challenge? Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to discuss your operations and how to make the necessary improvements. email: ron.beltz@go-throughput.com • Call: 262.955.5662
Author: Ron Belts, Director Of Strategic Accounts for Bluesteak | Bright AM™
About Bluestreak™:
Bluestreak™ is a fully integrated Quality Management System (QMS), a powerful Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for the manufacturing environment and service-based manufacturing companies ( metal-treating/powder-coating, plating, heat-treating, forging, and metal-finishing), businesses that receive customers’ parts, perform a process (service) on them, and send those parts back to the customer). Companies need MES software tailored to specific functionality and workflow needs, such as industry-specific specifications management, intuitive scheduling control for staff and machinery maintenance, and the ability to manage work orders and track real-time data. If different work centers on the production floor aren’t “speaking” to each other via the MES, the data loses value and becomes disjointed or lost in disparate silos.
Bluestreak | Bright AM™ is an MES + QMS software solution specifically designed to manage and optimize the unique requirements of Additive Manufacturing’s production of parts and powder inventory usage.
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