Improving metal production supply chains
EDITOR ’ S CHOICE SUPPLY BOTTLENECKS
KMF
Improving metal production supply chains
One of the biggest challenges in metal fabrication is supply bottlenecks . Long wait times , high demand and rises in associated costs all cause delays . Keith Nicholl , Commercial Director at sheet metal fabricators KMF looks at how metal manufacturers can boost the reliability of their supply chains to mitigate associated challenges .
EFFICIENCY TO MATCH DEMAND
Inefficiencies can be apparent across every aspect of a production line in all types of industries . Increasing efficiency in producing metal components and applications helps to keep up with the rising demands , cited as 5 % between 2023 and 2027 in an industry report .
What ’ s more , as machine development rapidly advances , so does the pressure to follow suit . Industry 4.0 technology is a trend that sheet metal manufacturers must embrace in its infrastructure or run the risk of being left behind .
In fact , adding automation in a production line boosts productivity , reduces waste and helps in quicker decision making .
Including robotic bending machines can help in boosting efficiency within production . The time saved on the manual process helps to increase productivity and reduce wastage .
REDUCING COSTS
Reducing wastage is also a good way of lowering costs , an important way of remaining profitable in a time with rising costs for businesses .
Achieved by a multifaceted approach , costs of manufacturing can be managed by a combination of bulk creation , energy efficiency , preventative maintenance and quality control .
Preventative maintenance is one of the most important ways of reducing associated costs in the sheet metal manufacturing process . Regularly maintaining and servicing machinery can
Adding automation in a production line boosts productivity , reduces waste and helps in quicker decision making .
prevent costly breakdowns and repairs which means uptime is higher and the lifespan of the equipment is longer .
ENHANCED QUALITY
Government regulations and accreditations go a long way in boosting the quality in metal production . For component purchasers , one way to ensure quality in your desired metal components is to look for specific ISO accreditation .
Having accreditations in key industries is a perfect way of making sure that the final component will undergo intensive quality control and inspection procedures . For example , if a manufacturer was consistently creating parts for aerospace , it would work towards the AS9100 group of standards . Alternatively , a creator of food processing equipment might require different health and safety accreditations or quality equivalent to BS EN 1672-2:2005 .
Optimising sheet metal production supply chains is an imperative step to keeping up with growing demand placed on the industry .
To ensure a smooth world-class process from start to finish , it is important to use a combination of industry-leading technology and technical expertise . This infrastructure and person power put additional agility , efficiency , and quality to the final components meaning that your supply chain is as close to perfect as possible .
To find out more about KMF visit : www . kmf . co . uk
52 PECM Issue 64