Issue 392
This issue, we have some fantastic examples of investment in reducing or removing friction from the production process, suggesting that impressive headline figures don’t always tell the full story.
Take Premiere Kitchens’ recent investment in HOMAG technology, detailed on page 20. Following the installation of a SAWTEQ A-410, two EDGETEQ D-610s, FEEDTEQ L-500 and STACKTEQ G-500, the company reports a 60% increase in edgebander productivity and 40% more saw output. But dig a little deeper and the interesting part isn’t simply how fast these machines run.
Premiere was dealing with manual handling issues, rising production volumes and the limitations of ageing equipment. The new system has reportedly increased uptime, improved consistency and automated the movement of material through the process. Waste handling has also been integrated into the factory’s biomass system.
In other words, the gain isn’t simply speed here, but the removal of friction within the production process itself.
On page 14, we explore Calderbrook’s application-led approach, which starts with the product being manufactured rather than the machine category. It’s another example of looking beyond the machine itself and considering what the manufacturer is actually trying to achieve.
WEINIG – featured on page 42 – offers another reminder that productivity isn’t always measured in metres per minute. Its focus on reducing setup times, quicker profile changes and improving material yield highlights some of the less obvious ways machinery can influence the economics of production.
Perhaps that’s something worth bearing in mind when evaluating the next machinery investment. The most impressive figure on a specification sheet isn’t necessarily the one that will make the biggest difference on the factory floor.
Elsewhere this issue, find John Legg’s report from his visit to Peter Cook’s Long Eaton branch, where he spoke with branch manager Roy Bostock about the opportunities and challenges shaping the company’s future. We also take an in-depth look at the latest developments in edgebanding, fittings and components, and solid wood production.
Happy reading!
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