CNC Integration

A local company were producing cutting lists for extruded aluminium frames and keying the data into CNC saws. Wightsys were asked to automate the process.

Wightsys observed;

• 10% of aluminium was thrown away
• Machine couldn't cut to the end of a length due to 300mm distance between a holding clamp and the saw.
• User error could result in incorrect colour frame being cut

Solution

Wightsys worked with the company to produced a system that optimised cuts within available lengths to reduce wastage. A visual system prompted the operator what he was required to load (using correct colours). Wightsys also realised that wastage could be reduced further by cutting the last piece differently, i.e. the final cut would be to to trim the remaining extrusion to the size required. This one idea saved approx £18,000 per annum in material. The overall savings were £60,000 per anum.

• Optimisation and end cutting improved material usage
• Colour prompting reduced operator error
• Operator training needs reduced
• Productivity improved