St. Paul, MN (September 23, 2019) — Matsuura’s high-accuracy machining equipment, including multi-pallet and multi-tasking machine tools provides manufacturing solutions to a wide range of industries around the globe.
Matsuura’s automation capabilities and automatic tool change abilities can simplify the production process, reduce cycle time, provide unmanned machining capabilities and seamlessly integrate profitable automation into your business.
“People usually think of automation in high volume production environments, typically with 6-axis robots. With small lot production, elimination of set-up time is the primary goal,” said Craig St. John, President of Matsuura USA.
“Shaving a few seconds or even, minutes of cycle time per part when making 20 or 30 parts is insignificant. The savings and the profit improvement arise from reducing set-up time from hours to zero and by running parts unattended overnight and on weekends,” St. John explained.
Matsuura has been the leader in automating manufacturing. The company’s vertical pallet changers for MAM72 and H.Plus models and their new simple pallet changers for the MX series set the standard for automating machining centers. In addition to Matsuura “built-in” automation solutions, Matsuura’s exclusive distributors can integrate robots with Matsuura machines.
“Automated, ‘LIGHTS OUT PRODUCTION’ is the future of PROFITABLE manufacturing,” St. John added.
Manufacturing in North America continues to become more complex, requiring multi-axis machining solutions. While most industries maintain a higher part mix and smaller batch production, reduction of inventory is an imperative initiative. Additionally, with pressure on pricing and margins, customers realize they must discover methods to reduce labor costs.
Matsuura’s state-of-the-art automated manufacturing processes add unmanned shifts and guarantee profitability.
Matsuura expanded its customer base and answered aftermarket demand for a smaller simpler 5-axis platform by developing a more cost-effective line of these machines with built-in automation as an option. Featuring the same hand-built quality, high speed and sustained precision as the fully automatic machines, the two newest machines in the MX series provide productive, versatile and affordable unmanned 5-axis production.
According to St. John, high volume simple part production like automotive parts are obvious targets for automation. He explains it is easy to automate a process that will be repeated a million times a year. However, in aerospace and defense, manufacturing lot sizes are small, and parts are complex, require close tolerances and excellent surface finishes. Combining operations using 5-axis machining centers and running unmanned using pallet systems is the most efficient way to manage small lots. This approach is equally effective in the medical component applications or any complex parts requiring close tolerances.
St. John describes three factors when considering integrating automation: Floorspace; Workpiece Size/Weight; Lot sizes: and Machine Flexibility.
In many areas of the country, rental space is a premium, and shops must consider their floorspace in determining automation. Some machines maintain a smaller footprint with built-in automation.
Workpiece Size/Weight will define the machine size. Be aware that when machining 5 sides of a part one most look closely at fixtures and tool lengths when defining the machine to use. Matsuura or your Matsuura distributor can run a simulation using your solid model to confirm that the right size machine has been selected.
Machine Flexibility is a consideration for shops in their operations to satisfy different customers and maintain the capability to produce different parts without major retooling. If your shop needs the ability to change a production schedule, to modify a part, or to handle multiple parts, then flexibility is vital.
Matsuura Machinery’s exclusive distributor network works alongside Matsuura to define the ideal manufacturing method and automation solutions. We oversee the complete project – from concept to production, from training to after sales technical and service support.
Matsuura Machinery USA, Inc., located in St. Paul, MN is the U.S. subsidiary of Matsuura Machinery Corporation in Japan. Since 1935, Matsuura has been the forerunner in designing innovative technology and manufacturing solutions to a variety of industries around the globe. Matsuura Machinery USA, Inc. delivers unmatched excellence in 5-axis, vertical, horizontal, linear motor, multi-tasking CNC machine tools and machines with a powder bed metal AM platform with machining capability.
Matsuura Machinery USA, Inc. provides the service, applications and technical field support that have always been the Matsuura standard for business. For more information on Matsuura products, contact: [email protected] or visit: www.matsuurausa.com.