Product category:
Machinery and Production Equipment
News Release from: Agie Charmilles | Subject: AGIE Evolution2
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 17 May 2001
Automated EDM a hit at carbide die
toolmaker
Stockport based specialist carbide die toolmaker Parkside Tool and Die Co is reaping the benefits of its integrated AGIE Evolution2 with 16 station 3R Workpal automated EDM and work-handling solution
Stockport based specialist carbide die toolmaker Parkside Tool and Die Co is already reaping the benefits of its latest investment in an integrated AGIE Evolution2 with 16 station 3R Workpal automated EDM and work-handling solution The system was up and running within two weeks of being delivered to the toolroom and Parkside are delighted with the results
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 19 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Scott Owen, Technical Director, explains: "We are seeing a 100% improvement in machine utilisation and downtime between jobs is halved." Parkside Tool's market is primarily in powder metallurgy tooling.
The majority of the company's work is in creating small, very intricate components to a very high level of accuracy and its customers include such global organisations as Phillips, for whom it creates carbide compacting tools for electrical components.
In this international market UK suppliers are facing increasing competition from the Far East and Eastern Bloc suppliers.
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"We currently export 60% of our products, mainly to Europe and the USA," says Scott, adding, "We need to maintain our efficiency differential in order to stay ahead.
Our objective is to increase our turnover by investing in technology." Parkside is taking advantage of automation throughout the production process.
Geometric data is input directly from the CADCAM station; this is brought together with measurement data received from the electronic measuring equipment, by the Agievision management system.
The EDM programme that is then automatically created, enables the workpiece to be clamped directly on the pallet loader, without the need to set up the XYZ + AB co-ordinates, because all the necessary data has already been imported by the Agievision software.
This reduction in set-up time results in dramatically improved throughput and increases in EDM utilisation.
Parkside selected the AGIE solution because it provided the most flexible and comprehensive control options.
Managers also use the remote Agievision dial-in facilities to check that jobs are running overnight as anticipated, this has meant they don't need to come in to the factory to make minor adjustments or change job priorities.
Glynn Fletcher, MD AGIE adds a final word, "Parkside is already seeing major productivity benefits from its use of AGIE integrated control technology and we look forward to continuing to provide systems that enhance its standing as a leading-edge UK technology company.
It's all part of our promise to be 'Partners to the Best'.".
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