impact on line efficiency than unscheduled downtime caused by a failing part .
Until recently , machine manufacturers would recommend set intervals to conduct certain tasks e . g . oil changes or lubrication . Using machine data such as loads , cycle times etc ., recommendations can now be adjusted and scheduled according to usage – providing a far more customised and responsive plan than a traditional ‘ fixed ’ approach .
Electric machines now have even more inbuilt data gathering capabilities . Parameters such as machine acceleration and deceleration and forces and motor duty are all checked via sensors , which provides a more detailed and complete optimisation picture .
Find the middle ground
Evaluating the relative merits of cost versus value is a balancing act . It also requires understanding economies of scale and where trade-offs might support or compromise seemingly sound financial decisions .
By discerning which costs are truly significant , processors can make better and more informed decisions about equipment investments .
Relevant costs are future-oriented . These are the ones that affect future expenses and revenue , and can change as a result of a decision . Irrelevant
The original Ergo Tech Extra , like many moulding machines of its generation , may still produce components , but the value question is are these older machines economical to run ?
costs ( also known as sunk costs ) on the other hand have already been incurred and cannot be recovered , for instance machine depreciation . Hidden costs are those that are omitted intentionally or otherwise , and can add up over time . “ This is why TCO is so important as an equation , as it considers all of these direct and indirect costs ,” reports Ashlee .
One of the best ways to make an informed purchasing decision based on value is to ask yourself these four questions :
1 . What production issues will this new machine solve for me and how does this fit with my overall business strategy ? 2 . What are measurable results ? And can I compare my existing process like-for-like and run a tool trial on the machine I am considering ? 3 . What additional effort , or features , do I need to gain these results and are there any hidden costs ? 4 . What service and support capabilities are offered by the OEM , e . g . training , process support , optimisation and energy consumption field studies , locality of engineers and target response times versus KPIs .
High-end machines naturally deliver value-add processing features . But what if you are a mass technical moulder that doesn ’ t require this panoply of offerings ? By focusing on all-electric , Sumitomo ( SHI ) Demag grasps that best value comes from offering a full gambit of choices . It ’ s why the company is reviving its most popular series in history – the IntElect X-tra . Available in 100 , 130 and 180 , manufacturers can now benefit from the IntElect elite performance , with a direct drive platform that offers improved efficiencies and responsiveness , the stability and repeatability of electric drives , and parallel functions that can significantly improve productivity . Without paying for features that aren ’ t warranted .
Short-term thrift is rarely worth it . Instead , try to base your machine decision on reliability and selecting technical features that actually add value . There ’ s also a hefty element of psychology attached to cost and perceived value cautions Ashlee . “ When people feel valued they tend to push themselves harder . The same can be said for machines . Cost is the price ; Value is the benefit . The question is , which one will exceed your expectations ?”
This July , the final leg of the Sumitomo ( SHI ) Demag Productivity Roadshow arrives in Ireland , England and Scotland
The European productivity roadshow arrives in the UK and Ireland this July . Discover how manufacturing counterparts are adopting a coordinated approach to increase value and foster sustained productivity growth . View how digital tools are helping to deliver better processing control , less machine downtime and are addressing spiralling costs . Setting up in Athlone , Limerick , Silverstone and Glasgow , to attend this unmissable event register at https :// roadshow . sumitomo-shidemag . eu / register or contact Ashlee Gough or Dave Raine direct .
For further information , please visit www . sumitomo-shi-demag . uk and www . sumitomo-shi-demag . ie /
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