For any entrepreneur - in the plastic window frame industry - the question "Can I automate anything else on my profile machining center?" is obviously a legitimate and enterprising question. Because, the shortage in the labor market has still not been solved and we certainly don't have to expect that there will be much room for it in the coming years. Achieving efficiency, saving time and gaining even more competitive power remain the daily objectives. Especially in the current difficult times. According to Niels and Cees van Essen of machine supplier Kruba from Baarn, there is good news in that area so near the end of this year. "We are introducing innovative robotization on the new and existing machines of manufacturer Thorwesten! This is a development of the company Gerdes from Germany in cooperation with Thorwesten as well as with the robotization of the company Moduco."
Niels explains that it is now finally possible to accurately position the striker plates on the frame profile when profile machining. Manual operations are definitely a thing of the past. "The robot picks up the locking plate, it knows exactly where to place it and with self-drilling screws it is then immediately fixed in the correct position. But there is a second improvement. The machined profiles - at the end of the production line - must eventually be removed from the machine and placed in the profile cart. That used to be done manually. But that too has now been robotized. So at this point in the production process, manual handling is no longer necessary either."
To summarize, then, there is one small fast-spinning robot that deals with placing the locking plates and there is a larger robot that travels the machined profiles in the profile car. The larger robot can also operate two production lines. Niels explains that these two new robots can be added on at least Thorwesten's latest generation of profile machining centers.
Cees and Niels say that it has already been piloted for a year and the results are unprecedentedly good. "This is therefore the time when we will enter the market with this addition. After all, the advantages are numerous. The modular installation and flexibility of the robots allow the machining of different frame profiles and the error rate goes almost to 0. Each individual product can be manufactured individually. Furthermore, employees are relieved of the burden. Thus, they can be used in other places in the chain in a much more valuable way. This is not only economically interesting for every company, it is also nice for the employees themselves. Moreover, by this further robotization you show that you are a good and caring employer."
"It goes without saying that ultimately, by making this investment, you also anticipate increasing your competitiveness," Cees concludes. "And you have to in these times. The market is having a hard time meeting demand: after all, you can't say there's an awful lot of construction going on in the Netherlands, besides - we already said it - the shortage in the labor market remains an unprecedented bottleneck, and so robotization actually offers a solution. We see this as a piece of 'automation with responsible investment amounts'. We are pleased that we can now support this even more!"
Neem dan rechtstreeks contact op met Gerdes.