FACE TO FACE
ISMR : Can you identify any specific trends or opportunities in markets for you or your customers ?
MF : The shortage of labour is a major issue , but also an opportunity , for everyone . Strategically , we have made some smart investments ( e . g . in LRS and COMPAC ) to combat this so we are well placed to respond .
The other challenge / opportunity is the ability to gain higher and more efficient throughput ( hence shaping flows ). How can we help our customers make the journey to the Smart Factory ? A lot of small to medium-sized businesses now realise that Industry 4.0 , automation and Smart Factory technologies add value to their businesses . That is a huge opportunity . We saw this trend at the beginning of the COVID pandemic , particularly in western European countries . That is why we are showcasing the cost-effective Smart Factory here . A Smart Factory does not need to mean 30,000 square metres and lights-out operation etc . You can start with a laser and a press brake to create your own Smart Factory ……
However , margins are already tight and there is strong competition in the market so it is imperative for manufacturers to keep investing in technologies to keep their competitive edge . OEMs are currently reducing their stock inventories as they don ’ t want to lock up too much capital . In fact , they just want their subcontractors to make the product for
Above : Strippit punch laser .
Punch-laser combi machine
The Strippit Punch-Laser combines the punching and forming advantages of the Strippit Series punch press with the speed and versatility of fibre laser cutting to complete multiple processes on a single machine , answering the need for flexible manufacturing .
The machine can process a 3048mm x 1524mm workpiece without repositioning . A large 406mm x 1524mm work chute evacuates laser-cut parts .
The Strippit PL at EuroBLECH 2022 showcased a Strippit V turret punch press . them so that they can ship it and get paid . Batch quantities are still small so there is more pressure on supply chains and , particularly , throughput supply chains . This is all moving manufacturers towards the need to ensure strong throughput and tight control of the software / process ( using Big Data , for example ).
Other challenges include shorter lead times and increased part complexity . Adapting processes , automation and the Smart Factory can meet some of these challenges .
We can see what is happening in markets . We also experience the same challenges as our customers , as we are a manufacturer ourselves . We are trying , for example , to find and recruit people too so this gives us more of an insight .
ISMR : You have been taking your technology directly to customers with a mobile showroom . Tell us more about your Innovation Tour and any other new initiatives .
MF : Our Innovation Tour in North America has been a great success . Our customers love us bringing the technology to them . We have been using social media marketing to increase brand awareness of these tours via our mobile showroom on LinkedIn and Facebook .
The Innovation Tour worked particularly well during the COVID-19 pandemic . The manufacturing community was still very active , despite lockdown restrictions , and we had to adapt to the situation . We set up our mobile showroom at the customer ’ s site and everyone comes out to look at the technologies . We can demonstrate systems to a customer ’ s workforce and see all the operators this way , not just the ones that come to trade shows .
We are also doing more online training for our staff . We set up a knowledge hub during the pandemic , which we use for our sales team . They can now go to a central location where they can learn online and on-demand . It ’ s all about keeping the knowledge in-house and disseminating it where it is needed .
ISMR : What can we expect from you next year ?
The LVD Dyna-Cell for automated bending .
MF : We are still enlightening customers on , for example , the benefits of robotised bending ( which does not have to be for large-volume ,
Smart Factory Live
LVD ’ s ‘ Cost-Effective Smart Cell ’ at EuroBLECH 2022 showcased a Smart Factory driven by the LVD YSD LaserONE laser-cutting machine ( a basic , no-frills fibre laser ), the Dyna- Cell robotic bending cell for small-to medium-sized parts and CADMAN software .
The idea behind the concept is to demonstrate how a manufacturer can get started with the principles of a Smart Factory in a cost-effective set-up . The Smart Factory is not just the domain of larger companies ; it is accessible to manufacturers of all sizes .
“ Dyna-Cell is bending automation at a fraction of the cost of traditional robotic bending systems . Designed to keep cost per part low , Dyna-Cell is priced less than the cost of two stand-alone press brakes . It is easily programmed , fully offline , in 20 minutes or less with ten minutes of program preparation , ten minutes of tool set-up and first part production ,” commented LVD .
“ The Cost-Effective Smart Cell showcases the essentials of smart sheet metalworking – connecting the technology of a fibre laser with an easyto-justify bending cell and a few basic software modules to increase output and shorten cycle time without a heavy financial investment ,” it added .
LVD ’ s CADMAN ® software products are designed to shape process flow : CADMAN-JOB ( Manufacturing Execution System ); CADMAN-SDI ( Smart Drawing Importer ); CADMAN-B ( bending ); CADMAN-P ( punching ) and CADMAN-L ( laser cutting ).