IHS Adds Forged Parts Data to the HAYSTACK Parts and Supplier Management Service
IHS has added the National Forging Tooling Database (NFTD) to the HAYSTACK® Gold parts and logistics management service. By linking the 90,000+ tooling numbers in the NFTD with HAYSTACK’s extensive parts and logistics data, including manufacturers’ part numbers and government National Stock Numbers (NSNs), customers can search, identify, locate and procure items that require forged tools more quickly.
Forged Parts and Tooling – A Victim of Supply Chain “Disintegration”
As a new weapon system is created, all participants in the supply chain are brought together to design and procure components, and to manufacture the final product.
However, as weapon systems go out of production, the information flow between the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the Forge Shop “disintegrates”.
This occurs as time passes and businesses close, merge or are acquired by others. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that so many weapon systems are being used well beyond their original life cycle expectancy. This is especially true for forged parts and tooling. A lot of data was simply never collected, lost or tracked during the life of the weapon system. When a forged part or tool is needed, it simply cannot be found.
HAYSTACK NFTD “Reconnects” the Supply Chain
By adding forged parts tooling data to HAYSTACK and working in collaboration with Forging Defense Manufacturing Consortium, Advanced Technology Inc., the University of Toledo and Plexus, IHS solves this supply chain problem and enables customers to make better business and logistics decisions while also improving productivity, lowering maintenance costs and meeting compliance and safety mandates. )
HAYSTACK NFTD provides visibility to spare parts and tooling that otherwise would be unavailable, saving considerable time and money, and contributing to improved operational readiness across the DoD.
Proven Benefits
Personnel involved with the sustainment of weapon systems, support equipment and other mission-critical parts now have the visibility into the existing suppliers that can meet their program needs. This can result in significant savings.
As the graph above depicts, the cost avoidance opportunity is related to the nature of the forgings. It can take many weeks, even months, of production lead time just to locate, and, if necessary, reverse engineer the tooling. Delays can cost millions of dollars due to equipment downtime awaiting parts, and most importantly adversely affecting mission readiness with downed equipment.
Organizations that benefit from the NFTD offering in HAYSTACK include: DLA supply centers DoD and DoD suppliers Logistics officers supporting weapon systems Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Tier-one, -two and -three suppliers Machine shops Forge shops Example: M109 Self Propelled Howitzer
Prop Shaft Supply, Inc. was in need of a forge part - specifically, a Universal Joint Companion Flange for the M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer.
Searching the HAYSTACK NFTD utilizing the NSN 2520-00-796-3997 (part number 7962742), a forging company was quickly located (IMT Forge - a Forging Industry Association Member Company) with the tooling on-hand.
Time savings were over 100 days, and cost savings were $15,000US (for duplicating the tooling). Only 9 days elapsed between finding the tool and placing an order. Administrative lead time for forged parts often requires more than 100 days. In addition, production lead time is reduced by an additional 50-70 days because the tooling does not have to be made.
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