Industry Overview
Plastic parts are used in just about every industry – automotive, aerospace & defense, electronics, medical, consumer goods etc. There are many companies selling this capability, but every firm usually has an industry focus.
The plastic manufacturer designs and builds a mold then buys the appropriate resin. The mold is then placed in the plastic injection molding machine. Resin is added, heated, and the mold presses a part. The parts are then trimmed and taken to secondary operations for packaging, inventory, or combined with other parts for assembly in an end item.
The process typically produces a by-product which can be reground and reused.
Manufacturing processes are driven by formulas. Orders are specific to customers, and therefore the process is considered “make-to-order”.
Most companies in this industry have many injection molding machines on the shop floor. Plastic molding companies are seeking more real-time information about production generated by data taken directly from the machine.
Critical Requirements of a Plastics ERP System
Plastic manufacturing companies should evaluate the following critical requirements:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM Software)
- Order Processing
- Product Data Management (PDM)
- Product Lifecycle Management Software (PLM)
- Document Management
- Engineering Change Management
- Forecasting and Demand Planning
- Materials Management
- Mixed Mode Manufacturing
- Formula Management
- Lot Control and Traceability
- Lean Manufacturing
- Supply Chain Management Software
- Advanced Manufacturing Planning
- Quality
- Warehouse Management Software (WMS)
- Plant Equipment
- Cost Accounting
