FACE TO FACE automatic ordering process means there are always ( new ) tools available that fit machines or programs . Maximum uptime of machines is therefore guaranteed and users do not have to worry about the continuity and quality of their production processes ,” Michan Katerbarg told ISMR .
Automation in focus
The Voortman Fabricator for automatic assembly and welding .
unit ( which can be attached to our moving gantry , plate-processing machines ). This increases the number of different end products which can be made on a machine , without users having to invest in a completely new machine ,” he added .
The manufacturer also showcased the Voortman V633 , a rapid drilling , milling and marking machine , at the trade fair in Hanover . “ We believe this machine is the fastest in the world ,” Voortman told ISMR .
“ The new Voortman Plate Sorter is the world ’ s first automated plate-sorting solution which will change the entire logistical routing of plate parts to the welding area , with maximum efficiency as a result . The days of sorting plate parts at the machine , missing parts at the welding area and complete chaos in your plate and welding area are over . Multiple phases and projects can be nested together in one plate , increasing efficiency and reducing material costs . Is the whole plate processed ? Simply unload the finished parts from the cutting table , put them unsorted in a bin and move the bin to the Voortman Plate Sorter . It will do the rest . It scans and identifies the plates ; checks their quality ; sorts them into the right bin and stores them in a storage tower ,” explained Michan Katerbarg .
“ This year ’ s EuroBLECH was the stage for us to introduce our latest machines . The aisles around the Voortman V310 with the Voortman pipe-cutting unit and the Voortman Plate Sorter were pleasantly crowded . On the exhibition stand , we set up a special corner with our Red Tooling System ( RTS ) and presented options for maintenance and support . Service is a very important part of the machine package ,” commented Katerbarg .
The Red Tooling System ( RTS ) is a stock cabinet filled with the tooling and consumables needed by customers . All the tools for machines are therefore available at one central
point in a machine shop . The RTS system features smart software to give insights on and maintain stock levels . A dashboard indicates current stock levels . When stock needs to be replenished , users receive a notification . Shortly afterwards , Voortman will send over the parts needed to replenish the stock .
“ With RTS , we help users with the tool management and ordering process . The
Cutting close-up .
High levels of autonomy speed up part production , reduce machine downtime and enable 24 / 7 manufacturing .
“ Automation is one of our core values . Many of our customers want to run their machines more efficently , so automation is key for them . Current industry issues , such as labour shortages and flexibility , were hot topics at EuroBLECH . Automation is one of the solutions we can offer to overcome the shortage of welders . The Voortman Fabricator showcases our skills in fully automatic assembling and welding . We have also developed our own Multi System Integration ( MSI ) solution which means that all our machines can work simultaneously ,” Katerbarg told ISMR .
“ A huge challenge in the steel industry is finding enough skilled labour to get the work done . Although this is a challenge , we also see this as an opportunity to come up with solutions which make it possible to do more work with less people . The skilled workers who create beautiful steel end products can focus on the more difficult and challenging work , while we provide solutions for standardised and easier work . A good example is the Voortman Fabricator iX which we have developed . It is an automatic beam-welding machine which can be placed in a fully automated steel fabrication line ,” he added . MSI , also referred to as Multi System Integration , opens the door to fully automated beam production by connecting machines with
Voortman pipe-cutting unit .