Troubleshooting automotive presses

I-CAT was the original version of what has evolved into iTech.

The purpose of this letter is to confirm that General Motors is using I-CAT software in several plant locations. To my knowledge, the application that I am currently working on is the ninth application within GM.

As an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer for GM’s Delco Chassis division, my job responsibility in to examine emerging technologies and apply them in production where profitable and feasible. Several months ago, I was assigned the task of finding a low-cost, PC-based expert system package that could be used by hourly maintenance employees to help them diagnose equipment problems more quickly. Because many of these employees are reluctant to use computers, the package selected had to be so easy to use and beneficial that these benefits would outweigh the “fear factor.”

After evaluating several packages myself and collecting evaluation reports from other GM divisions. I-CAT was selected from 10 different packages on the market today. It was selected partly because of its low cost and ease of use for the and user, but I-CAT's biggest advantage over the competition was how easily and quickly the model could be built and implemented. I cannot stress enough how surprised I was at how few steps and little time it took to enter a working model.

Our first application will be fully implemented at the end of March. Our primary use for I-CAT is for production diagnostics, but when there is not a breakdown, it can also be used as a training tool for less experienced maintenance personnel.

During the development and partial use of this first application, the hourly workers have been very impressed with how quickly the model can help them isolate a problem; they have asked when information gathering can start for the next application. Management has been pleased with the estimated production downtime savings of $150, 000 for the first year.

I am very busy and do not usually take time to write about the products I work with, but this package is excellent, and could be easily missed amongst all the PC-based expert system packages available. I believe in this product, and encourage use of this letter and my name as a reference, my phone number is ***********

Sincerely,

Kelly L. Domino