Essential insights to drive manufacturing growth

SYSPRO has released new research to support executives in mid-sized manufacturers considering the value of implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in their business. Manufacturing organisations require practical tools to drive growth and cultivate a data-driven culture that empowers decision-makers throughout the supply and value chains.  

“In today’s digital age, effective data management, security and storage have become critical for any significant 21st century manufacturing business,” says Nick McGrane, managing director of NexSys, a SYSPRO company. “And yet, many manufacturers are struggling with legacy systems that fail to support their long-term growth aspirations.”

This information was revealed during a webinar hosted by SYSPRO, which discussed the company’s new e-book: ‘A Guide to Successful ERP System Implementation’. This e-book, compiled by market intelligence and strategy firm Frost Sullivan, is a treasure trove of essential information on investment considerations, avoiding pitfalls and best implementation practices. It provides the knowledge that various companies have identified as essential to ensure sustainable value. By asking 10 essential questions, companies can evaluate whether an ERP solution can unlock their full potential in the foreseeable future.

“As manufacturers and distributors expand their operations, the complexity of their processes tends to increase, placing additional strain on both systems and personnel. This shift in expenditure underscores the growing recognition of technology as a critical driver of efficiency and competitiveness in the manufacturing and distribution sectors,” says McGrane.

The e-book is available for free download from the link below.

More information www.bit.ly/3Z0edl1

Lighting up productivity gains at Smithstown

Opening its doors with just four toolmakers 50 years ago, Smithstown Light Engineering is now a business with three manufacturing sites and over 165 employees. Working with the world’s leading medical device and orthopaedic companies, Smithstown uses hyperMILL CADCAM software from Open Mind Technologies to streamline its throughput and maximise efficiency.

Working with clients such as Stryker, Boston Scientific, Zimmer Biomet and Cook Medical, the company provides a turnkey service from concept and design through prototyping, machining and validation of medical components and orthopaedic implants. With over 14 million components manufactured annually, the Irish manufacturer adopts stringent quality measures that are a necessity for precision medical device parts used in life-saving surgery.

CEO Gerard Henn alludes to why the County Clare company opted for hyperMILL: “There are so many different CADCAM options in the marketplace, but Open Mind made it much easier for us to work forward with hyperMILL, explaining the facets, features and how we could optimise our machining strategies and cutting paths.”

He adds: “Open Mind were very enthusiastic and got behind us. They understood what we were trying to achieve, and it’s been a positive relationship all the way through. We’d recommend Open Mind to any companies interested in upskilling their internal workforce – the partnership has been extremely positive.“

Smithstown Light Engineering supports orthopaedic and medical device companies in Ireland and around the world. It also provides instrumentation for surgical procedures, making it a very medical-focused enterprise

“With Open Mind’s support, we now have a great understanding of hyperMILL,” concludes Henn.

More information www.openmind-tech.com

Lantek helps Kanyana provide top service

Kanyana Engineering has followed a policy of providing unique sheet metal services at its Greenfields, Western Australia manufacturing facility since its formation in 1997. As part of its pursuit of excellence, managing director Graham Dawe understood that software and the integration of the company’s systems was crucial to his plan.

“I had experience from a previous computer business and wanted a fully integrated CADCAM and ERP system,” he explains. “With Lantek, this was all possible and we went for the full suite of Lantek Expert, Flex 3D and Integra straight away. We can take DXF files and 3D models directly from the customer and use the system to nest parts, program the lasers, and calculate a consistent and accurate price for the job.”

Stock material is stored within the system as are remnants from previous jobs so the company knows what is available, what has been earmarked for a job and what needs to be ordered. Via its tracking number, Kanyan can trace material down to the individual sheet used, producing material certificates for the customer.

“We can even switch materials, should the sheet we’ve allocated be under five tons of material, picking another of the same specification from the top of the pile and substituting its tracking number to maintain traceability.”

Once a quotation becomes an order, all the details and history of the job are released to the workshop ready for manufacture. Lantek’s MES software keeps control of where parts are in the shop, the time taken for each operation, and any lost or damaged parts which require remanufacturing. Live information is collected via workshop PCs and iPads on the laser machines, the press brakes and in the six fabrication bays. More information www.lantek.com

Unveiling advanced CNC and digital solutions

At the recent BI-MU exhibition in Milan, Fagor Automation took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on its next generation of industrial automation and CNC technology, as well as its range of services, such as Fagor Digital Suite.

According to Fagor, Digital Suite 5.0 simplifies and streamlines decision-making in smart manufacturing environments. With integrated digital dashboards, real-time data visualisation and predictive maintenance capabilities, the company says that Digital Suite 5.0 offers a complete digital solution for industrial machinery.

Among other highlights on the Fagor stand was HMIelite, a next-generation HMI that optimises CNC systems for improved performance and user experience. Available in several models, including CNC 8070elite, 8065elite and 8055elite, Fagor says that HMIelite provides cutting-edge control technology, whether working with complex machines or high-precision applications.

Another key product on display was Series3, the company’s encoder solution known for its robust performance and functional safety. Certified with SIL2, this series is suitable for industries that require high safety standards. A stand-out feature of Series3 encoders is Fagor’s 3STATECH technology. What makes 3STATECH innovative is its ability to detect any contamination on the measuring standard, with its redesigned optical system and smart image processing algorithms. This capability offers an extra layer of reliability and ensures accurate performance, even in challenging conditions.

With over four decades of expertise in CNC systems and feedback solutions, Fagor says that its products are designed not just to meet today’s needs but to anticipate future manufacturing challenges, helping businesses transition seamlessly into the era of Industry 5.0. Whether looking to optimise CNC processes, implement digital transformation or improve safety standards, Fagor Automation has the tools and expertise to support.

More information www.fagorautomation.com

ModuleWorks 2024.12 software components

ModuleWorks has unveiled the 2024.12 release of its software components for digital manufacturing and digital factory. This latest release of the ModuleWorks SDK includes various new and enhanced features aimed at increasing safety, toolpath generation efficiency and part quality. These features contain enhancements across multiple components, ranging from multi-axis surface finishing to simulation and many more.

For example, the four-axis swarf mode has seen a significant improvement to achieve optimal geometric accuracy. This enhancement addresses the challenge of machining complex surfaces, such as cylindrical cams, using flank milling on a cost-effective four-axis machine. Traditionally, aligning the tool with the surfaces when using a tool smaller than the slot has been difficult. However, the new algorithm now accounts for kinematic limitations during the initial toolpath calculation, eliminating the need for four-axis enforcement in post-processing and reducing the risk of inaccuracies.

With the ModuleWorks 2024.12 release, this enhancement brings several benefits, including improved component accuracy, reduced machining costs and greater flexibility in selecting tool diameters.

Another upgrade involves multi-axis deburring. Until now, it was difficult for users to eliminate all the simultaneous five-axis moves from a 3+2-axis deburring toolpath. This issue would result in unpredictable motion on the machine tool during operation. In the 2024.12 release, ModuleWorks has improved 3+2-axis deburring to provide 3+2 orientation with minimum five-axis motion. As a result, users benefit from enhanced machining safety and accuracy.

Also worthy of note is an enhancement that focuses on three-axis finishing, where users often struggle to manually identify and define areas that can be machined by different sections of barrel tools. A new feature in ModuleWorks 2024.12 assists users by automatically identifying the steep and shallow areas on the part.

More information www.bit.ly/3PmdncW