The start of the new year is a great time to critically take a look at your
processes and see how you can improve. Here at FANUC, we have identified
four key strategies manufacturers can use to boost their efficiency!
Add Automation
Automation can increase production and efficiency no matter the type or
complexity of the manufactured products. With space at a premium in
most production facilities, many job shops look for machine tending robots that
are easy to integrate and have a small footprint. FANUC's robots and
software make it easy to connect the equipment and improve throughput as
well as overall equipment effectiveness. Robot Options
allows up to four machine tools to be connected with a robot using just one
Ethernet cable.
Use the Latest and Greatest Machining Practices and Technology
Many manufacturers leave performance on the table due to outdated processes
and programming. Are you getting the most out of your machining? Now’s
the time to look at the advantages in new CNC technology. Because new controls have
greater processing speed and can implement advanced algorithms, they can do
a lot more for your operations. Moreover, the interfaces have become simpler
and more intuitive, so they are easier to use than ever before.
Digitize Your Process
New digital tools are breathing innovation and life
into increasingly more areas of manufacturing, including the application of
digital twins in the machining industry. Digital twins provide
virtualization of the machine, control and manufacturing process.
Digitalizing traditional manufacturing processes have the potential to make
operations more efficient by proving out production processes in the virtual
world. That means less waste, more efficiency and a more equipped
workforce.
Upgrade Your Shop with a CNC Retrofit
Do you have legacy equipment? Running older machinery can have hidden costs,
such as taking the time to source and find older replacement controls
leading to significantly longer total downtime and production losses.
However, scrapping old equipment and starting new, might be too expensive,
especially when factoring in tooling, fixturing, rigging and foundation.
Plus, new machines may require more training for staff. A CNC retrofit, with new FANUC CNCs, industrial PCs, servos and cabling, can speed up processing and
reduce cycle time by as much as 50 percent.