Smart Factory is the way to future

By OEM Update Editorial March 15, 2017 12:35 pm IST

We have developed products like LinX motor which are extremely successful in the global markets due to reduced operating costs, higher degree of precision and better reliability.

Jeffrey S Foregard,
GM – Asia, Executive Director, ANCA Pty Ltd

Headquartered in Melbourne, ANCA is one of the leading manufacturers of CNC grinding machines globally. In an interview with OEM Update, Jeffrey S Foregard, GM – Asia, Executive Director, ANCA Pty Ltd and Kishore A.P, Country Manager – India, ANCA Machine Tools Pvt Ltd give an overview of the company’s operations in India and the future roadmap.

Could brief us about ANCA and its business activities in India?
Jeffrey S Foregard: Founded in 1974, ANCA is an Australian company manufacturing high quality 5-axis CNC Tool and Cutter Grinders. ANCA are the global market leader in this segment, with manufacturing facilities at Melbourne in Australia, Rayoung in Thailand and Taichung in Taiwan. With sales and demonstration facilities located in Thailand, Japan, Korea, India, China, Taiwan, Germany, UK, Italy, USA, Mexico and Brazil, as well as a comprehensive network of representatives and agents worldwide. We also have product demonstration facilities in all these key locations.

Kishore A.P: In India, we are here for more than 20 years. Today we have our India head office in Bangalore which has demonstration and training facilities, as well as a large range of spare parts and accessories. In addition to this we also have sales, service and a spare parts centre as well as an engineering software support centre all in our Bangalore office.

What are your target sectors?
Jeffrey: Our core strategic market is the cutting tool manufacturers. We are also very strong in medical equipment, automotive, aerospace and woodworking industries. So we cover a number of different segments and are very successful.

What’s your comment on the competitiveness as far as the Indian market is concerned?
Kishore: The competition is healthy! Indian customers are price sensitive and they need advanced technology products at a competitive price. This is the biggest challenge! We are serving our customers with the help of the technical capability of our machines.

Did you introduce any new product at IMTEX?
Jeffrey: We launched our PCD machine Model EDGe which is our first push to the Indian market. We have also introduced new version of software RN33 which has been very successful in global market. Key options such as our Laser Plus which is a non contact in process measuring system has proved a huge success as well.

What is your expansion plan?
Kishore: Increase the sales, introduce advanced products and potentially expand the back office from the channel of the Indian market which will help us to serve the rest of the world markets.

What are your efforts towards increasing machine reliability?
Kishore: We have introduced a high precision linear motor which gives better reliability throughout the lifecycle of the machine compared to the ball screw. Our quality team are constantly reviewing our processes and procedures to ensure we are always maintaining the highest of quality in our machine build program.

Jeffrey: Today’s customers are more concerned about the day-to-day operating cost of a machine. We have developed products like LinX motor which are extremely successful in the global markets due to reduced operating costs, higher degree of precision and better reliability. This together with the better surface finishes being achieved allows our customers to improve their own customers products.

As the concepts of Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory are fast catching up, are your machines ready for such revolution?
Jeffrey: Smart Factory is the way to future and we are ready for this. We have installed “management suite” on our machine for a smart factory it is very successful. This has actually generated a lot of business for us.