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Sigmatek combines technology and service at Katmex
Katmex, part of the Katsushiro Matex Group, supplies fabricated components and assemblies to construction equipment manufacturers including Komatsu, JCB, Toyota and Hitachi.
The UK plant has two Tanaka multi-torch gas profilers with 15m beds, one Tanaka 4kW laser, a Messer Griesheim twin head plasma cutter and a Messer Griesheim Omnimat Skew Rotater bevel cutting plasma Katmex processes about 20,000 tonnes of raw material each year, ranging from 3 to 160mm thick Katmex previously used a Japanese CAD/CAM system to program its cutting machines, but when this software became obsolete in the UK the company needed to invest in new technology.
Neil Ross, planning and procurement engineer at Katmex, said: 'We found that Sigmanest from Sigmatek Europe was the best software for our application.
'We particularly liked the versatility and speed of the nesting.
'It also produced the highest plate yield during our trials.' Katmex achieves material utilisation of at least 70 per cent and easily manages the production requirements generated by its MRP system.
New parts are either drawn in Sigmanest or imported in DXF format, ready for the application of cutting technology such as the lead-in or lead-out style.
Pre-programmed parts are then sorted by material grade and thickness so nests can be built up quickly for each sheet to meet time delivery requirements.
To maximise yield and minimise handling, the company's engineers try to fill each plate completely but, where there is a remnant, the shape can be stored in Sigmanest so it can be used later.
Shop floor information is generated in the software through Katmex's MRP system so it can be customised to suit Katmex's needs.
This includes data such as plate weight, plate yield, cutting time and a thumbnail sketch of the component for easy part identification.
The installation of the Messer Griesheim Omnimat Skew Rotater bevel cutting plasma presented a new challenge for Katmex.
Sigmatek worked closely with the company to provide a program for the machine, which includes technology for rotating the torch and setting the angle of the bevel.
The Sigmanest software ensures the angle of the bevel remains constant as the torch moves around the part.
It also offers users five different types of bevel form and control.
Ross said: 'Sigmanest has been easy to learn and to operate and this new function only took us five minutes to get to grips with once it had been installed.' The Sigmanest software has safeguards and knowledge built in.
The limitations of the machines are considered during processing, ensuring programmes cannot be run on the wrong machine, while technology tables consider factors such as amperage, material thickness and kerf width to ensure optimum cutting performance.
Neil Ross said of the Sigmanest systems: 'Ninety-eight per cent of our components go through the plasma cutting machines, so the software is crucial to the smooth operation of our company.
'Nesting times are now two to three times faster which allows us to concentrate on other efficiency improvements elsewhere in our business.'.
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mlb/mlb106.html
The UK plant has two Tanaka multi-torch gas profilers with 15m beds, one Tanaka 4kW laser, a Messer Griesheim twin head plasma cutter and a Messer Griesheim Omnimat Skew Rotater bevel cutting plasma Katmex processes about 20,000 tonnes of raw material each year, ranging from 3 to 160mm thick Katmex previously used a Japanese CAD/CAM system to program its cutting machines, but when this software became obsolete in the UK the company needed to invest in new technology.
Neil Ross, planning and procurement engineer at Katmex, said: 'We found that Sigmanest from Sigmatek Europe was the best software for our application.
'We particularly liked the versatility and speed of the nesting.
'It also produced the highest plate yield during our trials.' Katmex achieves material utilisation of at least 70 per cent and easily manages the production requirements generated by its MRP system.
New parts are either drawn in Sigmanest or imported in DXF format, ready for the application of cutting technology such as the lead-in or lead-out style.
Pre-programmed parts are then sorted by material grade and thickness so nests can be built up quickly for each sheet to meet time delivery requirements.
To maximise yield and minimise handling, the company's engineers try to fill each plate completely but, where there is a remnant, the shape can be stored in Sigmanest so it can be used later.
Shop floor information is generated in the software through Katmex's MRP system so it can be customised to suit Katmex's needs.
This includes data such as plate weight, plate yield, cutting time and a thumbnail sketch of the component for easy part identification.
The installation of the Messer Griesheim Omnimat Skew Rotater bevel cutting plasma presented a new challenge for Katmex.
Sigmatek worked closely with the company to provide a program for the machine, which includes technology for rotating the torch and setting the angle of the bevel.
The Sigmanest software ensures the angle of the bevel remains constant as the torch moves around the part.
It also offers users five different types of bevel form and control.
Ross said: 'Sigmanest has been easy to learn and to operate and this new function only took us five minutes to get to grips with once it had been installed.' The Sigmanest software has safeguards and knowledge built in.
The limitations of the machines are considered during processing, ensuring programmes cannot be run on the wrong machine, while technology tables consider factors such as amperage, material thickness and kerf width to ensure optimum cutting performance.
Neil Ross said of the Sigmanest systems: 'Ninety-eight per cent of our components go through the plasma cutting machines, so the software is crucial to the smooth operation of our company.
'Nesting times are now two to three times faster which allows us to concentrate on other efficiency improvements elsewhere in our business.'.
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mlb/mlb106.html
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