FAQs

LeanCOST can be installed in both stand-alone and client/server mode. In the latter case, the server houses the data to be shared and the licences, while the software is installed on the clients.

The LeanCOST database comes with a ready-to-use dataset in terms of raw materials, machines and processes. The information presented refers to Italian market averages and customer company data. Hyperlean updates the system’s databases on a monthly basis. If the company has requested customisation of the database with specific information, the company itself will update the data with Hyperlean’s support or independently.

The licences are a type of Software. Licences can be either floating or node-locked. For the first type, the number of simultaneous accesses is equal to the number of licences purchased. The software has no upper limit in number of installations.

LeanCOST provides access via login with user name and password. Access has several interfaces and roles, each with dedicated functionality (Viewer, Designer, CostEngineer, Administrator, Manager).

LeanCOST provides for the export of analysis results in different formats: Excel, PDF, XML (for integration with ERP). The PDF is configurable by enabling or disabling certain items, and Excel reports can be either standard or customisable. The second involves the ability to export information in a template provided by the company.

The degree of accuracy of the calculation depends on the set-up of the system; once the calibration of the databases has been carried out and the rules dictating each company’s production mode have been implemented, a level of accuracy of less than 5% with respect to the actual data can be achieved.

LeanCOST also provides the option to be used manually, by selecting the starting blank from the database and manually imputing the geometric parameters of the various processes in the database.
Operations can also be added manually to an analysis made on the basis of a 3D model with automatic recognition (e.g. painting, treatments, etc.).

Yes, tolerances, roughness and material are also taken into account in the recognition of the raw material and production processes in addition to the geometry read from the 3D model. Appropriate finishing processes (finishing, grinding, lapping, etc.) are recognised for specific tolerance and roughness values.

Technological parameters are calculated on the basis of default values or as a function of conditions (material, machine, geometric parameters, batch, etc.) and can always be modified by the user based on his own experience.

The analysis is based on the application of rules based on the technological knowledge implemented in the software, so that the process selected by LeanCOST respects geometric and technological constraints (tolerances, roughness, etc.). In the event that a geometry cannot be associated with any process, LeanCOST returns a report.

Yes, machines are assigned on a default basis or by selecting the machine with the lowest hourly cost among those valid for the operation (geometric and technological constraints of the machine). Through a specific functionality, the user can replace those proposed by the system with compatible ones.

Yes, it is possible thanks to the LeanCOST VAULT module, which allows you to automatically archive, search and retrieve analyses already carried out.

No special hardware requirements. A PC with a dedicated video card supporting OpenGL version 4.0 or higher is sufficient.

LeanDESIGNER is a software platform that consists of three parts:

• Licence manager > licence, which requires a physical or virtual machine possessing the client or server operating system, where the relevant service is to be installed;
• Server module > database;
• Client module > software LeanDESIGNER.

Yes, it is possible to install LeanDESIGNER on virtual machines with a software licence.

The data required for the operation of LeanDESIGNER are stored in a database shared between users. The database does not contain any data generated by LeanDESIGNER or any other type of structured data. Its size is limited and depends solely on the customisation of the data by the company. This means that the size does not change when using LeanDESIGNER. The supported platforms are:

• Microsoft Access;
• Microsoft SQL (Express, Standard and Enterprise versions).

Yes, the common database configuration between the two types of software is very useful to ensure that customisations made at company level can be used by both types of software.

LeanDESIGNER provides “user-named” floating (or Net) software licences. This means that the licence is tied exclusively to the user and not to the machine on which it is installed.

LeanDESIGNER interacts with the following CAD systems: Catia, Inventor, Solid Edge, Solid Works, Creo and NX. The connection is made by docking the active instance on the CAD via the API made available by the CAD manufacturer.

Yes, “.step”, “.stp” and “.stl” files can also be imported into LeanDESIGNER, without the need to have a CAD installed on the PC.

Yes, LeanDESIGNER performs the analysis in the background, so you can simultaneously continue the design of the 3D model on your CAD.

Yes, once the model is imported into LeanDESIGNER, the link with CAD is deactivated.

LeanDESIGNER provides access via a login with user name and password. Access includes different interfaces and roles, each with dedicated functionality.

LeanDESIGNER provides for the export of analysis results in Excel format.

LeanDESIGNER is capable of:

• Report potential manufacturability issues and suggest shapes for improvement (Design for Manufacturing);
• Provide an estimate of production costs directly from the 3D model (Design to Cost);
• Monitor geometric KPIs: real-time calculation of the most important indicators such as size, weight and volume of the model, raw material scrap, number of machining directions, paintable surface, etc.

The technological parameters and rules contained in the system can always be modified by the user based on his or her own experience and needs.

You can request a DEMO directly from the Hyperlean website and it consists of a free, approximately one-hour presentation of our software via webcall. During the presentation, the main functionalities of LeanDESIGNER are illustrated and it is also possible, subject to prior agreement and exchange of necessary material, to view an analysis of one’s own company component.

No special hardware requirements. A PC equipped with a graphics card with 1 GB at least is sufficient.

Yes, it is possible to install LeanCOST on virtual machines with a software licence.

LeanCOST refers to a database that can be managed by a software interface such as Microsoft Access, and does not require any Database Server. If required, it can be managed by a relational Database Management System such as Microsoft SQL or MySQL

It is possible to integrate LeanCOST with business management software systems. Integration can involve both reading information such as raw material costs and hourly machine costs and writing the results of the analysis to PLM. It is possible to synchronise LeanCOST databases with those of management systems. To implement integration, a technical analysis is required.

LeanCOST is able to import interchange formats representing 3D objects into CAD, such as STEP and IFC (used by Tekla). In addition, it can connect to the following CAD systems to retrieve the geometries and information it needs: SolidEdge, Solidworks, NX, ProE, Creo, Inventor, Catia.

Yes, once the model is imported into LeanCOST, the link with CAD is deactivated.

You can request a DEMO directly from our website. Fill in the form to send your request. You will be contacted to arrange an appointment with one of our operators.

It consists of a free, approximately one-hour presentation of our software via webcall. During the presentation, the main functionalities of LeanCOST are illustrated and it is also possible, subject to prior agreement and exchange of necessary material, to view an analysis of one’s own company component

You can request a DEMO directly from the Hyperlean website and it consists of a free, approximately one-hour presentation of our software via webcall. During the presentation, the main functionalities of LeanDESIGNER are illustrated and it is also possible, subject to prior agreement and exchange of necessary material, to view an analysis of one’s own company component.