The fast, thorough cleaning of sawn parts and their location-appropriate storage: an employee of a different kind now performs this work at Schwilk Automatendrehteile – a robot. The manufacturer of turned parts from the town of Heroldstatt has opted for the MEBArobots solution in the course of further automation, matching its MEBAmat 330 bandsaw.

Managing director Jochen Schwilk says: “The robot offers us significantly more flexibility in the resource planning of employees. It takes care of tedious cleaning operations after sawing, removing chips and stubborn cooling lubricant. The robot also provides the positional storage of parts in a grid box or on special pallets.”

Previously, our employee had three Meba bandsaws under his care. However, thanks to the robot, he can now prepare other orders and has expanded his range of work in the material warehouse and incoming goods facility.

In the past, Schwilk’s cleaning process repeatedly led to production plant stoppages. However, since the robot now performs this task, stoppages are almost a thing of the past. MEBArobots is in use around the clock and delivers the same high level of work. Often overnight, the new ‘colleague’ produces parts unmanned. Should a problem occur at night, such as breaking a bandsaw blade, the robot reliably ensures that the system stops and that no consequential damage occurs to the saw or the robot.

MEBArobots contains know-how specifically geared to sawing applications. Not just any robot is connected to a saw. With the robot manufacturer Nachi and Meba, two professionals co-operate to ensure that robots and saws communicate smoothly with each other. The user receives a customer-specific system from a single source: an integrated solution.

For further information
www.meba-saw.com

The new Lenox 360 system is the latest innovation to track bandsaw performance metrics, providing access to key insights, measurements and the control of valuable sawing operations data. This new technology is suitable for steel service centres and fabrication shops as it can improve decision making and maximise efficiency by capturing data in real time.

“The Lenox 360 system was developed to address the requirements of customers and key stakeholders, the greatest need being visibility into the innerworkings of their sawing operation,” says Daniel Fernandes, senior product manager – industrial bandsaw blades. “We found that the solution lies within the data, as it drives bottom-line performance. The Lenox 360 system will optimise productivity through a lucid translation of this data, ultimately cutting costs from the shop floor.”

Using a collection of sensors installed on the saw, performance data such as utilisation and efficiency metrics are transferred into a Lenox 360 system tower. Following transmission to the cloud, the data sets are analysed and populated into customised dashboards that arm users with the information needed to help maximise production and profit.

The dashboard is accessible on-site or remotely through the Lenox 360 system website or mobile app across a variety of devices, such as shop-floor monitors, desktop or laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones. These customisable dashboards display the easy-to-read performance metrics of each machine, the entire facility, or a collection of facilities in real time.

For further information
www.cutwithlenox.com/360

Channa Engineering is a family-run business based in Aveley, Essex. The company specialises in all metal works, designing and creating custom gates, grills, railings, balustrades and much more. Surinder Channa, the company’s proprietor, is a huge advocate of bandsaw technology, purchasing a number from Selmach Machinery over the years

He says: “I’ve known about Selmach for ages – I knew they had what I needed and I’ve had several machines off them now, including a bandsaw and a small bandsaw, and we’re looking to get another soon. Selmach are very good – the guys are very helpful, in fact they’re brilliant.”

Channa Engineering was replacing an old bandsaw. The machine was very old and the company had to start cutting larger workpieces.

“We cut steel of various sizes so we required a machine that could cope, and Selmach have more than met our expectations,” says Channa. “We’ve had no problems and I’ve no doubts about them at all. That’s why we’re going to get another one. Our cutting requirements are increasing and another bandsaw will ease the pressure on the ones we’ve got. You can never have enough bandsaws.”

Channa adds that work is now much faster and the bandsaws are very easy to use.
“The only time I have to think about it is when I’m changing the blades,” he concludes.

For further information
www.selmach.com

KEB Automation has supplied a variety of drives and control equipment to a UK-based machine builder for use on special-purpose cutting machines for stone tiles and roof slates. KEB delivered a complete solution from a single source and provided engineering support all the way through the machine design and build process.

Based in Bridgnorth, Machines & Controls Ltd is a small, privately-owned business that designs and manufactures special-purpose machines. Managing director Alex Wilson says: “In 2018, we received an order for a stone façade cutting machine. The machine is a five-axis CNC saw that cuts stone tiles and cladding for buildings. Around the same time, we also received an order from another customer: for a pair of special-purpose cutting machines for roof slates.”

Both types of machine required a range of drives and control equipment and so Wilson conducted a thorough supplier evaluation. “In the end, I chose KEB Automation as they were able to provide all the drives, controllers, gear motors and HMIs from a single source, and were willing to provide engineering support through the machine design and build phases, which you don’t always get from other suppliers.

“On both machine projects, I was particularly impressed with KEB in terms of their technical capabilities and engineering support,” continues Wilson. “They’ve been very helpful and have always responded promptly when I’ve needed support on resolving any issues. I look forward to working with KEB on future machine projects.”

For further information
www.keb.co.uk

A Bianco bandsaw and HSW steelworker from Selmach Machinery is providing multiple benefits for Next Generation Fabrications, based in Portsmouth.

Next Generation Fabrications specialises in steelwork, producing marine fabrication, domestic steel products – including gates, railings and balustrades – and architectural projects. The company has recently taken possession of a Bianco 420 MS bandsaw and a Morgan Rushworth HSW hydraulic steelworker from Selmach, and is in the process of buying a pair of rollers for the business.

“With the saw, we were just replacing our existing one with a bigger and better model,” explains Rob McDuff, director of Next Generation Fabrications. “However, with the steelworker – I’ve always wanted one, so when they offered me a really good deal on the two, I just went for it. The way I see it: it’s a good investment in your business.

“The majority of what we make is staircases, balustrades, structural beams – and even though we’re cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals – the saw does it all,” adds McDuff. “In terms of machine selection, we just went for what Selmach recommended. I don’t know too much about it, so I trusted what they were saying we needed.

“The machines have saved us time and money, and I would say that they’re definitely worth the investment.”

McDuff is also impressed with the aftercare and service provided by Selmach.

“When the saw was delivered we had a small problem as I couldn’t figure something out, but Selmach went through everything and it’s fine now. They are there if you need their help and I would certainly recommend using Selmach.”

For further information
www.selmach.com