ShopSolutions Case Histories of Manufacturing Problem Solving Automation: The Right Job-Shop Choice M
ention automation and most people think high-vol- ume production environments in which millions of parts are pumped out on a regular basis. While that may be true in many instances, it is definitely not the case at Choice Precision Inc. (Whitehall, PA). In fact, the situation is quite the opposite. Choice’s lot sizes usually run only 20–50 pieces. At any one time, there can be upwards of 1000 different open jobs in various stages from engineering to packaging—a typi- cal job-shop environment. At Choice, production volumes do not dictate the use of automation. Instead, the shop automates for produc- tion flexibility and to boost the output of its advanced machine tool technology and its highly skilled machinists, as well as to reduce cost per part. Automa- tion also plays a critical role in achiev- ing shorter job turnaround times and streamlining workflow through the shop. In business since 1992, Choice grew from a small garage-type shop to one that now employs 46 people and specializes in serving the automation
shop’s automation includes three Mazak Palletech Manufac- turing Systems, bar feeders, gantry loaders and robots. “Our customers want us to be constantly pushing the envelope,” said Beth Rothwell, president. “Tomorrow’s suc- cessful shops will be those that constantly raise the bar in
Beth Rothwell, president of Choice Precision Inc., and Engineering Manager Derek Rothwell rely on Mazak not only for machine tools, but also for automation such as the shop’s most recent Palletech system behind them.
market. The shop manufactures complex components for industrial and factory automation systems used in such in- dustries as paper processing, automotive, product packaging and biotech. Choice’s components can be found on overhead robots, gantry loaders, pick-and-place robots, end-of-arm tool- ing for robots or within production assembly lines. For a supplier of automation components, Choice’s incor- poration of automation into its own manufacturing operations seemed a natural progression. And the shop did so, as early as 1998 with the installation of two Palletech Manufacturing Systems from Mazak Corp. (Florence, KY). From the time it opened its doors for business, Choice has partnered with Mazak for machines and automation. Currently, all of the shop’s 29 turning and milling machines are Mazaks. The
terms of ingenuity and productivity. This is why we partnered with Mazak—to stay locked in step with the company as it continues to raise its game technologically, and we raise ours. Plus, our customers continue to move forward and innovate, which, in turn, drives the type of advanced technology we need—technology that Mazak continues to develop.” Choice incorporates all four of Mazak’s four levels of auto- mation—bar feeders, gantry loaders, Palletech systems and articulated robots. The four levels of automation are part of Mazak’s 3-4-5 Next Level of Productivity manufacturing solu- tion. Mazak’s 3 Levels of Control, 4 Levels of Automation and 5 Levels of Multi-Tasking allow manufacturers to identify the right level of technology, including automation, needed for im- proving their specific operations and advancing productivity.
July 2013 |
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