Other key elements include the machine performance and size, work zone considerations, part volume, quality requirements required, part process considerations in how you'll process a part with a stand-alone machine, manual or hydraulic or automated fixtures versus a more of a cellular approach or an automated pallet handling system. And obviously there's always the cost of the project and the best way to pursue your fixture design with cost considerations in mind.

The last consideration before we get into the nitty-gritty of the topic today is lean considerations. As we go through some of the fixture design considerations and several case studies, there's always the implication of lean. Most companies we work with are either thinking about or well into a lean initiative, so clearly you'll see and hear examples from us about eliminating waste in the manufacturing process, things that obviously include setup reduction, quick change over, consideration with regards to reducing your inventories and delivering part volumes when the customer needs them and the volumes that they need them. We'll also discuss error-proofing or mistake-proofing the fixtures to make the manufacturing process as reliable as possible.

So with that introduction I'll turn it over to Bob Kuzner and he will enter the topic of Fixture Economic.