Each month, we ask experts for their insights into future manufacturing trends. This month we talk to Ingo Bentrup, Managing Director of Advanced Sheetmetal Technologies.
Q. How do you pick a good entry level machine from a bad one?
The price of any machine is generally influenced by three main factors: where it was manufactured; the quality of components used; and the true capacity. Machines manufactured in developing countries with low labour rates can often cost considerably less than those manufactured by reputable manufacturers from Europe, USA or Japan — especially when locally manufactured components are also used.
This may entice the first time buyer to buy an entry level machine manufactured in a developing country with all the “bells and whistles” because such a machine may not be affordable from a more established manufacturer. These days, even the novice buyer will take the time to research equipment and is usually quite well informed about machine options that may be perceived to be desirable and may enhance performance and/or productivity.
This, however, can often be a trap. Such machines may suffer from reliability issues that increase exponentially as complex options and automation are incorporated. The matter is further compounded when spare parts or service technicians to address faults need to be flown in from overseas.
People buying entry level machines seldom run those machines at anywhere near maximum capacity. They tend to calculate their return on investment more on the minimum work that they need to put through the machine to be able to meet repayments. As such, any options that increase or speed up throughput would have little effect on return on investment. The most important quality for an entry level machine is reliability.
Buying a more basic machine from a reputable manufacturer that uses internationally branded and recognised components offers the best option for an entry level machine because it offers the highest reliability. In many cases, such machines can be retrospectively optioned and upgraded to increase productivity and/or flexibility as funds become available.
Q. What do fabricators want in a machine? Do they know what is good for them?
Many fabricators buying an entry level machine are persuaded by salesmen to buy more than they really need. By doing so, they often end up with a machine that may have all the “bells and whistles” but is on the limit of capacity for the envisaged production. In such a case the buyer would have been better off buying a machine with higher capacity but without the “bells and whistles”.
Q. What are some features now affordable in entry-level machines for the first time?
Increased efficiency of computer controls and controlling software have started to make their way into entry level machines and provide significant advantages, both to reduce manufacturing time and increase ease of use. Graphical user interfaces with parametric capabilities greatly increase flexibility, accuracy and ease of use of CNC controls.
Automatic crowning systems on press brakes and folding machines increase the repeated accuracy on those machines. Indexing tools on turret punch presses help to increase flexibility and reduced set up time on those machines.
Q. What things would you recommend fabricators consider when it comes to weighing up the need to buy an entry level machine?
Reliability and flexibility is more important than speed and gimmicky options.
Q. Are the same safety systems used with entry level machines as with larger machines? What would you recommend readers think about in terms of safety?
All machines should conform to current safety rules but cheaper guarding system may have an effect on productivity and flexibility. On press brakes for example, the latest generation of laser guarding operating below the upper tooling greatly increases the flexibility and productivity of those machines when compared to the traditional light curtains that are placed in front of the tooling area.
Q. Would you recommend fabricators invest in any additional measurement or data systems when purchasing an entry level machine?
I would recommend off line CAM for turret punch presses, but none for press brakes or folding machines.
Q. How do you measure the cost-effectiveness of an entry level system?
Calculate the return on investment based on investment cost and value gained by utilisation of the machine.
BIOGRAPHY
Ingo Bentrup is the Managing Director of Advanced Sheetmetal Technologies, and has extensive experience in the sheetmetal industry. Bentrup began his career in 1965 with EME Precision Engineering, an engineering company founded by his father, which he eventually managed. Bentrup also developed the 19” racking systems which are now sold through Richardson Pacific Metal Systems. In 1986, he founded Advanced Sheetmetal Technologies (AST) to provide consultancy services to companies that wanted to increase their competitiveness through cutting-edge technology-based solutions. AST took on the distributorship of JETCAM CAD-CAM Systems for punch presses and profiling machines and also Finn-Power sheetmetal machinery. AST currently has 23 exclusive distributorships, in Australia and New Zealand.
Add a comment