METALTEX Australia claims to have doubled the productivity of some of its sheet metal production processes thanks to the adoption of Radan CAD/CAM software from Planit.
According to Metaltex’s Sean Pieterson, the software has not only improved production efficiencies, but also increased the level of service Metaltex can offer to its customers.
“As well as improving our productivity and reducing costs, the software program has allowed us to have a more rewarding relationship with our customers, who are able to see their ideas efficiently translated into a finished product,” Pieterson said.
The Dandenong-based engineering business fabricates products ranging from water and fuel tanks to utility boxes, electrical cubicles, machinery guards and metal furniture.
Metaltex adopted Planit’s Radan software to design and make products on machinery that includes a laser cutter (at an external contractor) and a Strippit LVD Turrett Punch Press that punches and folds metal blanks into the desired shape.
Pieterson said the advantages of Radan are considerable compared to Metaltex’s previous pencil and paper approach to design.
“We previously had to prepare our designs by hand. To edit, we had to redraw. Now it’s all done on-screen, which can reduce the time spent on some jobs by up to two weeks. It also definitely reduces re-work and waste due to human error,” Pieterson said.
“We started using the Radan program at the beginning of the year, prior to delivery of our punch press. We’re fully utilising the program’s 2D design and shaping capabilities and starting to develop our 3D skills.
Pieterson said it wasn’t difficult to learn how to use Radan.
“The company [Planit] gave us three days training for 2D production and we picked it up straight away. Planit technical staff have been coming down to see us. They are very good, very informative. We couldn’t ask for more. Now we don’t have much need for ongoing help, although their support is still fantastic. They’ll take us through a process on the phone, or come out to visit if we need them,” Pieterson said.
Radan software programs use a range of innovative design, manufacture and production control techniques that have become synonymous with production of the industry’s components and products.
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