FACE TO FACE
The Red Tooling System ( RTS ).
Leach Structural Steelwork Ltd . in the UK uses a fully automated beam line from Voortman .
cross transports , roller conveyors , product buffers and material sensors . Production data only needs to be imported once and MSI then automatically distributes the data to all machines integrated in a production system . Manually transporting materials through the production line can be eliminated by creating one integrated production system .
In fully automated Voortman processing lines , operators do not need to be present to manually move material between machines with joysticks , but instead can allow the series of sensors and software communication to work on most tasks between loading the raw product and unloading the finished part on the outfeed . Manual control is also available so that operators can step in with manual intervention when needed .
“ We have also developed one-button automation on our plate machines . Our next-level VACAM software automates plate production and provides lots of real-time feedback . Our machines have the largest touch panels in the market , and an easy-to-use interface makes it easy to navigate through them . But what really sets our machines apart is what ’ s under the hood . One-button automation means that even the toughest processes can be carried out by anyone , even if they have never done it before ,” explained Katerbarg .
Unmanned production is a key feature of Voortman ’ s plate-processing machines .
“ Our vison is that there ’ s no need to be constantly present at the machine . When it comes to processing plates on the Voortman V310 , simply cluster jobs , buffer multiple plates and activate the Unmanned Mode to bypass manual interventions for longer periods . The machine lets you know when to be present at the machine via the Operator Dashboard . During times when no one ’ s needed at the machine , value can be added in other areas in the workshop ,” outlined Katerbarg .
Looking to the future
The global steel-processing industry has shown itself to be dynamic and flexible in the face of multiple challenges this year . These include supply chain issues ; skyrocketing energy prices ; Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine , pandemic outbreaks and rising inflation levels . Despite these headwinds , the industry is embracing new technologies and focusing firmly on the future with new innovations , renewed strategies and new product / technology launches .
“ We see a lot of different challenges for the industries we serve , but one of the most common challenges is simply having the right knowledge in-house to produce products in the most efficient way . We help our customers by developing machinery and software which already embeds the production process knowledge , and will make the production of end products easier and more efficient i . e . our one-button automation solution on plateprocessing machines ,” confirmed Katerbarg . “ However , it is very hard to predict the future in the current global business climate . Since we can ’ t predict the future , we will simply continue developing new solutions for the current challenges that our customers are facing . Up until now , our solutions have found their way into the market and are used on a global scale . We will continue this approach of continuous innovation and development to cope with the unpredictable global business climate , and work with our customers to help them get more out of their production processes ,” he concluded . n
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EDITOR ’ S NOTE
Voortman V633 is the latest in its line of drilling , milling and marking machines .