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Chrysler Plant Shaves Weeks Off Transmission Line Launch

1 September 1998

Chrysler Kokomo Plant Shaves 12 Weeks Off Transmission Line Launch Using Steeplechase PC Control Software

     ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 1 -- Steeplechase Software, Inc.(R)
has announced another successful major installation of its PC-based control
and flow chart programming software.  Chrysler Corporation selected
the software for a new 70-node RWD transmission assembly line.  "We shaved
twelve weeks, or an entire quarter, off of our scheduled launch time.  This
translates into an additional 40-50,000 transmissions that we were able to
build, and trucks that we were able to sell," said Larry Cover, Manufacturing
Manager at the Kokomo, IN plant.
    "We wanted to maximize machine uptime, move away from PLC technology, and
greatly reduce floor space requirements for the system," says Ken Moore,
Chrysler plant manager.  The Kokomo plant is land-locked and floor space is at
a premium.  By placing both the control and HMI in a single PC and using a
single cable installation of networked I/O devices, a large reduction in floor
space was accomplished.  "With PC-based control our floor space requirements
were reduced by 40%," said Moore.  "The new RWD transmission line requires a
much smaller footprint than any other transmission line at our facility."
    Combining control software and the HMI in one box also achieved another
key Chrysler objective, better visual management.  By reducing panel space by
80%, a brightly-lit view of operators and assembly stations was created, with
no control panels blocking the view.  "PC-based control can easily replace up
to five (5) separate controllers and computers with a single, accessible PC,"
said Mike Klein, CEO of Steeplechase.
    "We wanted to use world class state-of-the art PC technology," said Moore.
"This technology is new to our current workers, but will be familiar to the
next generation, which will be very PC-oriented.  We've upgraded the computers
twice since January, which we never could have done with PLCs."  Training from
Steeplechase has been a key factor in the quick adoption process.
Steeplechase provided training across the entire Chrysler facility to ease the
integration and acceptance of the software and flow chart programming.
    Use of the Steeplechase flow chart capabilities allowed Chrysler to
design, implement, and test control station software as individual modules
were closely aligned with the physical transmission manufacturing carousels
provided by Ingersoll-Rand.  "Flow charts allowed us to ramp up our production
at a fraction of our previous PLC-based systems," said Larry Cover.  "They
really reflect the process, and ease design and integration time-all key
factors in decreasing launch cycles and time to market with new equipment.
    Downtime was significantly reduced by utilizing the diagnostics capability
of the software's flow chart programming.  Flow charts allow the user to see
what paths the program has taken so they can troubleshoot problems as they
occur.  Line faults can be automatically pinpointed, reducing the mean time to
repair (MTTR).  Since all PCs were tied into a plant Information System,
operators could access specific information such as AUTOCAD drawings of the
production parts and process to help accelerate repairs.
    "Chrysler Kokomo is leading the manufacturing world in its adoption of
best practices for manufacturing," according to Mike Klein.  "Chrysler
leveraged Steeplechase to accomplish a number of goals including faster launch
cycles, lower downtime, and higher quality -- goals that in the past have been
elusive using the traditional PLC approach."

    About Steeplechase
    Steeplechase Software, Inc., founded by veterans of the PLC industry, is
the leader in PC-based control software.  The company's primary product was
the first Windows-based system on the market for flow chart programming,
control, simulation, and HMI.  Customers include leading manufacturers in
automotive, semi-conductor, material handling, assembly, machinery, consumer
products, and packaged goods.  For the latest information about products,
services, white papers, and partnerships, visit http://www.steeplechase.com.
    Steeplechase Software, Inc., Steeplechase and VLC are registered marks,
and the Steeplechase logo, Starting Gate, and Visual Logic Controller
are trademarks of Steeplechase Software, Inc.