Shop Saves $500K Per Year
12.10.2015
Gosiger Automation was recently featured in a Modern Machine Shop article titled “Turning a Profit with Automation.” The article tells the story of CL Tech, a central Indiana-based job shop that has experienced explosive growth, going from a $1 million tool and die company to a $5 million production facility in the past four years. Of course this kind of success, while welcome, can bring growing pains as well. One of the hurdles CL Tech needed to overcome was transitioning from manually loading machines to automation. In particular they needed to produce 40,000 constant-velocity (CV) joints per month to land a contract with a major automotive supplier.
Partnering for Successful Implementation
According to Jim Krohn, Vice President for CL Tech, “We considered the entire process—receiving the raw forging, turning to a rough finish on the stem end, finishing the cup end, performing 100-percent inspection on several dimensions, and conveying the part to the next operation. We use a number of Okuma machine tools, and we’ve had a relationship with Gosiger for many years. They’ve always worked well as a partner with us, so we were comfortable that they could successfully implement the automation solution they proposed.”
The Gosiger Automation Design
According to the article, “The system Gosiger Automation designed for CL Tech employs a FANUC R-2000iB/165R six-axis, pedestal-mounted robot placed behind two Okuma lathes. The first lathe—a four-axis LU-3000EX—ID-chucks the part on the forged ID form of its bell-mouthed end and uses the tailstock with an extended quill stroke to end-register and support the part. The second lathe—an LB-3000EX—OD-chucks the part on the shaft using a shoulder for end registration. A tailstock seats the part to overcome an internal, chuck-mounted, spring-loaded center.”
Saving $500,000 Per Year
According to CL Tech, the turnkey automation system eliminates manual labor equivalent to 10 employees, thus saving about $500,000 per year. Their existing machine operators benefit as well because they’ve been able to increase their technical skills and earn higher wages.
Read the full article to learn more about CL Tech’s highly profitable automation system.
Photo Credit: Modern Machine Shop
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