From left to right : Christian Nau , Sales , ARKU ; Norbert Gärtner , Operations Manager , Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel ; Patrick Völpert , Machine Operator and Daniel Götze , Product Manager Preprocessing discuss the benefits of the new deburring process .
all the steps were done by hand . Eventually , this manual work meant that we were no longer able to fully satisfy our customers ’ timing requirements . Now , we are working at a completely different pace ,” confirmed Götze .
SMSD has not only achieved a new level of quantity but also of quality .
“ Our customers truly appreciate the deburred parts with their low internal stress ,” added Götze . “ Our own demanding quality standards for our products are opening up new markets for us . Since we have begun working with the new levelling and deburring technology , our customers perceive us even more clearly as an important part of their value chain . It also translates to a reliable guarantee for the quality of their end products . Ultimately , this also gives them a competitive advantage , in addition to production reliability .”
An eye on the future
Automation has also created changes for SMSD employees , or “ from muscle power to brain power ” as Götze puts it . Instead of lifting sheets themselves , as they had in the past , now the employees just control the technological processes that do this . The EdgeBreaker ® operator requests parts , configures the deburring machine and robot , and keeps an eye on both machines . The robot then handles the lifting work . Salzgitter is therefore implementing automation in its purest form and enjoying its many advantages .
The prefabrication specialist is also increasing the efficiency of its production whilst creating ‘ an interesting and changing working environment ’ for its employees . At the same time , this step also significantly reduces noise and dust emissions . The EdgeBreaker ® now sees so much use in a single shift that Götze is even considering a two-shift operation . Because of the
EasyBot ®, SMSD employees can now focus on specific benefits .
“ Employee A operates the deburring machine and employee B operates the cutting system . No-one has to shut down machines , walk around and load or remove parts . This increases the uptime of the various machines and we produce more , as result ,” confirmed Salzgitter .
Although the EasyBot , with its single gripper arm , has no human features at all , it still succeeded in immediately becoming a part of the team . Götze explained that staff , particularly the younger generation , were enthusiastic about working with the new technology . Training courses by the manufacturer paved the way .
“ Before the robot arrived , our colleagues already knew how to work with it ,” explained the product manager for Preprocessing . “ The training created the necessary acceptance for exceptional innovation .”
Beyond the machines themselves , big changes are coming to Zeithain . There is a clear focus on networked industry and transparent processes .
FOCUS ON SURFACE FINISHING
About ARKU
ARKU was founded in 1928 as a familyowned company and is a market specialist in roller levellers and pressfeeding technology , with more than 50 years of experience . It offers an extensive range of high-capacity and precision levellers , as well as deburring and edge rounding machines . This extensive portfolio is completed with the addition of parts handling solutions for levelling and deburring machines . The product range features precision levellers , deburring and edge rounding machines for parts ; automated parts handling via robots ; in-line levellers ; cut-to-length lines ; press feeding lines and coil entry lines for roll formers . With headquarters in Baden-Baden , Germany , it maintains ISO-certified subsidiaries in Kunshan ( China ) and Cincinnati ( USA ), serving markets in almost 30 countries .
“ Customers now expect more than short delivery times and flawless products . They want to be constantly updated on their suppliers ’ production and stock levels – via digital devices and in real-time ,” explained Götze . He is excited by digital changes , which represent the next major trend .
“ We have already launched our next project . We are working intensively on a networked production solution that includes the ARKU machines ,” he added .
This will make it easy to quickly monitor energy consumption , capacity utilisation and productivity . It is good news for SMDS customers , but mainly for Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel which fully appreciates the importance of critical data nowadays , especially when it means a major leap forward on the path towards highly efficient manufacturing . n
Using its grinding drum , the EdgeBreaker ® deburrs and rounds even thick sheets , on both sides , in a single pass .
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