Manufacturing needs to improve productivity with less dependency on manpower

By OEM Update Editorial September 1, 2021 7:49 pm IST

Amada has introduced customised automation suitable for emerging market.

Will the updated machine tools technologies bring benefits to SME and MSME sectors?

Recent enhancement or update in fibre laser technology has overcome many of the shortcomings of a CO2 based laser which is definitely going to help metal fabrication manufacturers. These fabricators are mostly from SME and MSME sectors.

Fibre lasers are very energy efficient and fast. Apart from higher productivity, we can achieve less taper across thickness which eliminates secondary machining process. Fibre laser has very fine kerf width which improves material utilisation and subsequently reduces cost of production.

With respect to standard format laser machines, what are the latest offerings in the market?

The standard format lasers available are 3000 X 1500 mm and 4000 x 2000 mm. In this segment we have options of 3kW, 6kW, 9kW and 12kW laser power depending upon customer’s product requirement and productivity expected. We are also in process of launching 6000 X 2000 mm laser model in India.

How the new technologies are enhancing the Metal forming & laser cutting processes and cutting tool industry?

Amada has recently launched LBC technology. Amada’s revolutionary patented Locus Beam Control (LBC) which is first in the world, can achieve infinite locus patterns — ensuring optimum fibre laser beam shape control for each specific cutting application. LBC technology

What are the challenges and current trends prevailing for workmen safety; also incidental to pandemic times? What new trends are impacting machine tools?

The entire manufacturing industry is going through pandemic situation which has affected each one of us. Manufacturing industries needs to improve their productivity with less dependency on manpower and provide safe working environment inside their factory. ‘Shorter lead time, cope up with shortage of skilled manpower’, and ‘Better production efficiency’ are some of the keywords to survive during and after pandemic.

What demand do you expect for innovative engineering products and what prospects do you anticipate for engineering and manufacturing efficiency in robotics?

Amada has introduced customised automation suitable for emerging market like India for blanking and bending process. Coupled with high speed, energy saving technology (Fibre Laser and Servo controlled machinery) our customer can improve their bottom line considerably.

In general, we are very much aware of benefits of Automation. However, the major cause of concern is higher investment cost and longer time to amortise. Looking at studies conducted by our team, it is surprising to note that amortisation period will be same as the stand-alone machine due to increase in productivity with reduced manpower.

There is always this impression that labour is cheaper here in India, so why should I invest in automation. But, if you look at the consistency and the increase in the productivity and the amount of time you save on the operator interruption, this automation can be a huge advantage.

How do you evaluate the demand for enhancing laser cutting and machining processes?

Construction, infrastructure, railways, telecom, medical and healthcare sectors have huge potential for laser cut parts. The demand for high power laser with higher efficiency & cutting-edge technology is growing in these sectors.