CONFOR: Case Study "gearboxes"
For the configuration, pricing and offer creation of ship propeller gearboxes a lot of routine procedural steps are necessary which requires lots of qualified personnel working on it. In respect to customer service though it is not acceptable to have such lengthy processes from configuration to pricing done by the customer himself as this entails a substantial amount of effort from their side.
Traditional procedure
1. Design
The performance rate is determined from basis data such as motor performance or speed of the propulsion and down thrust as well as specific customer requirements. In accordance with performance data the necessary bearings are set up.
Depending on the performance rate, different other data and required bearing sets the smallest usable gearbox is determined and the sale price is calculated which is undertaken via a number of charts. Beyond this outside measurements are calculated in order to check if the gearbox can be fitted at the specified location.
In addition to the gearbox optional components such as oil coolers are offered. These of course have to be configured corresponding with the drives and performance requirements.
2. Offer creation and documentation
A drawing and dimensional sheet are created with the designed gearbox and the configuration result is listed in a document. The delivery scope is summarized to an offer.
The design of a ship propeller is not very complex when considering it from a product standardization standpoint – but due to the high demands on getting familiarized with the process it is not feasible towards customers.
Customer queries can only then be processed when a member of staff from the departments engineering or sales has the time to compile an offer and undertake design planning.
How does CONFOR support the above described process?
The configuration system is provided to the customer via the internet. They receive an own user ID so that they can access previously undertaken design procedures at any given time.
1. Design
After the basic data and design parameters have been entered CONFOR establishes the performance rate, the required bearing sets and depending on this the necessary gearbox. All product data required is available in the system so that it is possible to determine the selection of the drive automatically. Optional components are suggested to the user by the system if needed and then incorporated into the design. During the entire design process the user merely must ensure that there requirement details are correct as the system will determine the required components – this stops the user from picking products which are not suitable.
2. Offer creation and documentation
The CONFOR system will generate the drawing, dimension sheet and offer and they can also be viewed on the screen, printed or exported in various formats (e.g. PDF).
Resume
The design and offer creation for ship propeller drives is not a complex process but if undertaken manually it requires qualified and well-trained personnel.
With the implementation of CONFOR the entire process is automated and can be undertaken by the customer. On the one hand the own staff is not bound and the customer receives an offer much faster.
