We are excited to release the new PanDao tool version today. It includes some features which provides users with very unique information about possible fabrication options for their lens designs.
So far PanDao only displayed the most cost-efficient fabrication chain. In the new version the fastest fabrication chain and a comparison to the most cost-efficient is displayed as well. The “fastest fabrication chain” is defined as the fastest possible fabrication chain optimized for speed at reasonable yield while ignoring cost issues.
Another new feature is the ability to choose wage levels for the fabrication company. PanDao distinguishes 3 different types of companies. Please note that in every country the wage level might differ and that production qualities not necessarily depend upon the wage levels:
- High-wage companies: e.g. existing in Germany, France, UK, USA, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Austria and Italy
- Medium-wage companies: e.g. existing in Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Portugal, Mexico, Taiwan and Serbia.
- Low-wage companies: e.g. existing in China, India, Indonesia and Korea
In the new version, PanDao displays some new metrics for every fabrication chain. Here are the definitions from our FAQ:
Chain uniqueness:
- This output parameter helps in the risk assessment of the most cost-effective fabrication chain determined.
- chain uniqueness’ informs about how many fabrication chains exist within a fabrication cost band of 20 % above (and including) the cheapest fabrication chain.
Chain capability level:
- The ‘chain capability’ is a measure of the level at which the fabrication technologies must perform their duty in the best manufacturing chain.
- At ‘chain capability’ 100 %, the chain has to be applied at state-of-the-art processing level.
- Below 100%, tolerancing could be further tightened (up to capability = 100%) without the need of a technology change.
Batch Lead Time
- First batch lead time is the minimum time needed to produce the first batch under the following boundary conditions: (a) using one fabrication chain only (sequential and no parallel production), (b) first-batch order is classified with top priority and (c) taking an industrialrealistic handover time of one day per production step into account.
- First batch lead time is an information needed for the prototyping phase and therefore being displayed only for batch sizes smaller than 50 lenses.
Serial Batch Time
- Serial batch time is the minimum time needed to produce a batch under the following boundary conditions: (a) using one fabrication chain only (sequential and no parallel production) and (b) taking an industrial-realistic handover time of one day per production step into account.
We also added some small bug fixes with this update for example load the stereotype product again if you click on an already selected product or clear the output if clear all parameter is selected.
At least we also prettied up the user interface a little, for example by adding a collapse menu for loading and storing products.