TapeMaster Finds Success with TST & Vero Software

Since its inception in 1976, TapeMaster Tool, Troy, MI, has manufactured components for the aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, and tooling industries. Having stayed current with the latest tooling and equipment, the company needed to continue evolving by keeping up with the latest software technology.

CNC machining of complex prototypes is one of the company’s main strengths. However, with 11 CNC lathes, four twin-spindle vertical lathes, six vertical CNC mills, and a horizontal CNC mill with a pallet changer, the company required a CAD/CAM solution for manufacturing difficult-to-machine prototypes within a variety of industries.

After working with a software company that provided limited support and very few updates, TapeMaster began a search to find a software company that worked well with its customers while providing them with continuous updates. Eventually they installed VISI, from Vero Software.

Prior to making their selection, TST Tooling Software Technology, LLC provided TapeMaster, with an in depth demonstration of VISI. In addition to its ease-of-use, the demo also pointed out how VISI can reduce programming and manufacturing time, saving TapeMaster more than 90% on programming for one specific project. The initial programming time for this project took more than three hours and was reduced to a mere 10 minutes per part number.

During the selection process, TapeMaster’s Vice President / Engineering Manager, Daniel Galli, considered using several other software packages - one brand in particular was considered due to the fact that several employees already had experience with it. However, they found that re-training their employees with VISI would be a smooth transition, while providing the company with faster processing speeds and the ability to perform tasks that they were not able to do with the previous software.

Jim Kesteloot, TST, and his staff suggested VISI Software because of its many innovative developments, which include the ability to distribute toolpath computations onto different machines connected through a private network, cutterpath processing speed, compass technology for automatic feature machining, true hi-speed machining routines and the most important feature; the ability to work with anyone’s data no matter its origin. All of these tools give VISI a unique advantage, producing massive time and cost savings for the end user, with reductions of more than 200%.

Since the implementation of VISI, Galli and his staff have received an improvement in processing speed, enjoying the ability to process a job from start to finish using one software package, and the ability to perform tasks that they were not able to perform with their previous software, making Tapemaster more efficient while giving them the technology to secure new business.
 
“Whether it is a 2D or 3D project, VISI gives us the confidence to process our work flow accurately and in a timely manner.” Galli continues, “When we receive a new job, we break it down by operation. We use VISI to create process drawings and to program machining operations on the Mill. We also use VISI during the quoting process. It is an excellent tool to determine stock size, tooling required, and order of operations. It is especially helpful when a model is provided by the customer and you need an accurate estimation of machining operations. All of these advantages have helped us become more efficient, saving us time and money”

According to Galli, “Purchasing VISI has provided TapeMaster with the skills to secure new business they could not have secured prior to VISI. However, more importantly, it has allowed us to maintain and build upon our relationships with current customers. We have customers that may only send us work on an infrequent basis, but they send it to us because they know our capabilities and VISI is a big part of that.”


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Vero Software designs, develops, and supplies CAD/CAM/CAE software radically enhancing the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market. The company’s world-renowned brands include ALPHACAM, CABINET VISION, EDGECAM, Machining STRATEGIST, PEPS, RADAN, SMIRT, SURFCAM, WORKNC and VISI, along with the production control MRP system JAVELIN.

TST Tooling Software Technology, LLC founded in 2001, is the North American Master Distributor of VISI software through Vero International. TST offers leading CAD/CAM/CAE software solutions for the tool, die, mold and aerospace industry.  TST is also an EDGECAM reseller for Michigan.  www.tst-software.com.