At its essence, the introduction of robotic machinery has drastically improved production efficiency and speed. With technology advances making automation even more accessible and affordable in metal fabrication settings, companies of all sizes are now depending on it.
So, how important is it to partner with automation?
Automating processes in your supply chain and manufacturing environment offers the chance to enhance the quality and capacity of components with minimal interruptions. Requiring little to no human participation, automation is a reliable tool for businesses looking to increase manufacturing capacity.
It is important, with global supply issues and economic unrest, to keep technological advancements at the forefront of manufacturing strategies. By automating production processes, manufacturers can cement positions at the forefront of the industry.
Highlights of automating production lines
Adding automation helps to reduce human error while speeding up production cycles. In turn, output is consistently maximised and enhanced. With automation ensuring that processes are standardised across a business, it means that there is a reduction in varying quality.
Take, for example, laser cutting automation within the metal fabrication industry. Laser cutting machines deliver consistently precise cuts of sheet metal at the fraction of the time it would take a human.
By standardising, the reliability and uniformity of an output is higher which can influence customer satisfaction and further cement a business as a leader.
Installing automation in the welding of sheet metal is a good way of maintaining a high-quality, reliable output. Robotic welding systems use industrial robots to conduct a range of welding tasks and help to reduce labour costs, improve the welding quality, and remove the need for laborious manual welding.
KMF Group has its own production line for producing sheet metal which houses all the latest automation software to stay ahead of the industry curve.
Having installed two Mazak Quick Turn 250MS lathes, the automation in KMF’s production line has been boosted considerably.
On the installations, managing director at KMF, Gareth Higgins MBE, said: “This equipment strengthens our efforts to streamline operations and provides an extremely cost-effective solution for our customers.
“This is just one of the ways KMF remains at the forefront of the sheet metal world. It is always a pleasure to see how embracing new technology acts as a launchpad for smooth operations.”
Another particularly beneficial piece of automation for KMF has been its metal forming. The Salvagnini P4L Bender increases productivity with its automatic bending and handling cycles. Featuring 3D simulation and automated tool changing, the P4L achieves unique geometries that exceed press brake forming capabilities.
Using the latest Salvagnini bending technology, KMF can manufacture metal panels up to 2500mm long and form bends up to 165mm high. From one-off prototypes to large-scale batch runs, it can bend metal in a wide range of materials and sizes.
KMF has seen high-value benefits from utilising automated laser cutting, CNC punching, metal forming and finishing machinery. As technology advances and becomes more accessible, automation is replacing what were previously manual tasks. The increasing demand for automated machinery is here to stay and will continue to grow into the future.
Adding automation to any industrial environment is an investment for the ages and can add multiply output extortionately. Relying on a supplier who uses automation in their production line is a clever decision when looking for consistent high-quality output to cement a product as industry leading.
