Does your company consume or produce metal fabricated components? Strategic improvements in productivity and margin expansion are possible today. Machine speed increase of up to 5 times (5x), and doubling of overall productivity are possible when new machinery and Industry 4.0 technologies are combined. With more productive machines taking up less space, growth is possible using newly available factory floorspace.
Metal fabrication in this context is defined as sheet steel or aluminum parts from 0.016” to 0.5” (0.4mm to 13mm) thickness, produced with equipment including lasers, shears, press brakes and punches. Often these components are welded and coated in subsequent operations. Material grades include carbon steel up to 100 ksi yield strength, 200/300/400 series stainless and 3000/5000/6000 series aluminum.
Faster machine performance is possible through fiber laser and faster servo motor technologies, delivering shorter cycle time. Material handling improvements include feeding raw sheets to lasers, removing flat cut blanks, and robotic press brake bending cells. Finally, Industry 4.0 / Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) software-based solutions give visibility to the entire operation. Visibility is extended from the machine operator, to the maintenance technician, to the Plant Manager and to the CEO of the company.
In summary, these technologies deliver better productivity and faster cycle time, with lower cost, expanded margins and enabling growth. Initiatives such as insourcing, consolidation and expansion are possible with these technologies.
Wilmarco Technologies has been involved in metal parts manufacturing for over 30 years, and has relationships with partners to deliver these solutions. Contact us today to learn more.