ShopSolutions Case Histories of Manufacturing Problem Solving Texas Shop Automates Precision Production D
ata-Matique (Garland, TX) is a full-service, high-preci- sion sheetmetal and machining manufacturer whose parts are used for products from leading innovative companies in a variety of industries. Included are aircraft, ATM and banking automation, computer electronics, medical, oil and gas, and motor vehicle parts, telecommunications, and military industries. Founded in 1973, Data-Matique markets itself as a one-stop shop sup- plier of high-precision fabrication, precision welding, assembly, and inventory management processes, serving everything from small simple jobs to complex or high- volume production runs. Today, more than 90 skilled professionals are employed in the company’s sprawling, high-tech 83,000 ft² (7711 m²) plant which houses some of the most special- ized equipment that the precision sheetmetal industry has to offer. In 2007, Data-Matique purchased the C5 Compact Express turret punch press from Prima Power North America Inc. (Arlington
Hts., IL) which added unmanned operation through its highly compact load/unload automation. The unit’s loading/unload- ing solution utilizes the space above and below the machine, requiring only slightly more space than a turret punch press.
cally. We are certainly interested in automation that helps reduce labor costs, and with automation like this you can have one man operating two or three machines. We currently run the C5 untended on some jobs and are striving for lights-out automation,” Theis said.
General Manager C.A. Theis chose the Prima Power LP6 laser/punch combination with the LST6 load and stacking robot to handle precision parts manufacturing for Data-Matique. The shop can use the turret punch press where it is easier or faster, and the laser where it is most effective, especially utilizing full sheets while eliminating the need to shear to size blanks being processed.
Features of the C5 Compact Express provide precision production in a highly automated way. Nibbling speeds up to 1100 hpm are reached with its fast servo-hydraulic punch- ing. The servo-controlled ram, stroke speed, and position are
“With the laser punch, we can punch the holes, form the countersinks, laser cut the perimeter, and go straight to the press brake, eliminating secondary operations.”
“The C5 Compact Express was our first automated sheet- metal machine,” said C.A. Theis, general manager. “We can load 6000 lb [2721 kg] of material on the machine and walk away from it. It loads, punches, forms, and unloads automati-
fully and individually adjustable in both directions. Punch- ing modes include Quiet Punch, downforming, and mark- ing. Blanks or full-sized sheets are easily loaded using four optimally positioned gage pins. Sheet loading is performed