Improved nesting gives better material utilisation and ensures on time delivery
Katmex gets the cream
http://www.cnccncmachines.com/articles/5706/1/Katmex-gets-the-cream/Katmex-gets-the-cream.html
By Super Admin
Published on 11/6/2008
Katmex, a major supplier of fabricated components and assemblies to construction equipment manufacturers, has boosted material utilisation by 70% after uprating the CAD/CAM software for its profiling machines. Parts are sorted by material grade and thickness to quickly create nests for each sheet to meet customers' delivery requirements.
Supplying customers that include 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 Messer Griesheim Omnimat Skew Rotater bevel cutting plasma. Katmex processes around 20,000 tonnes of raw material each year, ranging from 3 to 160mm thick.
Originally, Katmex used a Japanese CAD/CAM system to programme its cutting machines, but when this software became obsolete within the UK the company needed to invest in new technology.
Neil Ross, Planning and Procurement Engineer, said, We evaluated several systems and 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.
98% 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, saving valuable time, which allows us to concentrate on other efficiency improvements elsewhere in our business.
The company achieves material utilization of at least 70% and finds it easy to manage 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 leadout style. Pre-programmed parts are then sorted by material grade and thickness so nests can be built up quickly for each sheet in order to meet customers on time delivery requirements.
To maximise yield and minimise handling the companys engineers try to fill each plate completely but, where there is a remnant, the shape can be stored in SigmaNEST so that it can be fully used in subsequent production. Shop floor information is generated in the software through Katmexs MRP system, so it can be customized to suit Katmexs needs, including 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 very closely with the company to provide a programming solution for the machine, which includes sophisticated technology for rotating the torch and setting the angle of the bevel. The SigmaNEST software was developed to ensure that the angle of the bevel remained constant as the torch moved around the part, and to offer users five different types of bevel form and control.
The limitations of the machines are considered during processing, ensuring that programmes cannot be run on the wrong machine, while technology tables consider factors such as amperage, material thickness and kerf width to ensure that cutting performance is optimised.
http://www.engineeringcapacity.com/archive101
Katmex, a major supplier of fabricated components and assemblies to construction equipment manufacturers, has boosted material utilisation by 70% after uprating the CAD/CAM software for its profiling machines. Parts are sorted by material grade and thickness to quickly create nests for each sheet to meet customers' delivery requirements.
Katmex gets the cream
Katmex, a major supplier of fabricated components and assemblies to construction equipment manufacturers, has boosted material utilisation by 70% after uprating the CAD/CAM software for its profiling machines. Parts are sorted by material grade and thickness to quickly create nests for each sheet to meet customers' delivery requirements.
Supplying customers that include 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 Messer Griesheim Omnimat Skew Rotater bevel cutting plasma. Katmex processes around 20,000 tonnes of raw material each year, ranging from 3 to 160mm thick.
Originally, Katmex used a Japanese CAD/CAM system to programme its cutting machines, but when this software became obsolete within the UK the company needed to invest in new technology.
Neil Ross, Planning and Procurement Engineer, said, We evaluated several systems and 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.
98% 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, saving valuable time, which allows us to concentrate on other efficiency improvements elsewhere in our business.
The company achieves material utilization of at least 70% and finds it easy to manage 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 leadout style. Pre-programmed parts are then sorted by material grade and thickness so nests can be built up quickly for each sheet in order to meet customers on time delivery requirements.
To maximise yield and minimise handling the companys engineers try to fill each plate completely but, where there is a remnant, the shape can be stored in SigmaNEST so that it can be fully used in subsequent production. Shop floor information is generated in the software through Katmexs MRP system, so it can be customized to suit Katmexs needs, including 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 very closely with the company to provide a programming solution for the machine, which includes sophisticated technology for rotating the torch and setting the angle of the bevel. The SigmaNEST software was developed to ensure that the angle of the bevel remained constant as the torch moved around the part, and to offer users five different types of bevel form and control.
The limitations of the machines are considered during processing, ensuring that programmes cannot be run on the wrong machine, while technology tables consider factors such as amperage, material thickness and kerf width to ensure that cutting performance is optimised.
http://www.engineeringcapacity.com/archive101