total solutions magazine - amada-stage. · pdf file4kw cutting capabilites — provides...

Volume 5 Issue 4 • Fourth Quarter 2015

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HG 1003 ARs Automated Bending...

Simplified

FABTECH RE-CAP

Amada MakesAutomation Accessible

. . . . . . . . . .

Engineered to Ensure Your Success

Speed.Versatility.

Productivity.

Engineered By Amada

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Business Soarsto New Heights

Weaver PrecisionFabrication & Finishing

. . . . . . . . . .

Reduce Costs.Increase Quality.

Nitrogen & AirAssist Gas Systems

. . . . . . . . . .Amada America, Inc.180 Amada Court • Schaumburg, IL 60173877-262-3287 • www.amada.com

HG 1003 ARsRobotic BendingSystem

HG 1003 ATCPress Brake

An ultra-precise press brake and a 6-axisrobot achieve maximum productivity through unattended processing.

Triple or quadruple your number of bending setupsper day. Introduce rush jobsseamlessly.

ENSIS 3015 AJFiber Laser

A revolutionary 2kW fiber laser with4kW cutting capabilites — providesthin-to-thick cutting without requiringa lens change or any additional machine setup.

Amada’s innovative solutions

are engineered to maximize

productivity and profits

while reducing

lead times and costs.

Total_Solutions_Q4_2015_12-1_Final_Layout 1 12/1/15 12:21 PM Page 1

Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing

The Power of Partnership. Amada’s Integrated Solution: Fiber LaserTechnology, Automated Material Handling& Storage and Advanced Bending

Co-Owners: Marian and Jim Lauer, Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing

Integrated Precision

Prior to purchasing thefiber laser and HG press brake,Weaver’s productivity was hin-dered by inefficiencies. For ex-ample, inconsistent bends in theforming department resulted ina robotic welder not being usedto it’s full potential. This addedadditional stress on the weldingdepartment as workers wererequired to take additionalsteps to correct bend angles —closing gaps so parts could be welded. The bottom line:Weaver knew they neededto upgrade there press braketechnology and remove the hammers from their shop.

Today, Weaver is leveraging the speedand precise repeatability of the HG pressbrake with confidence that the first part and

150th part will be identical. A user-friendly,AMNC 3i touchscreen control and offlineprogramming, ensure speed and accuracy forany level operator. The HG also analyzes andadjusts part angles automatically, eliminatingtest pieces and scrap.

Increasing productivityand accuracy in the forming

department was crucial in order to keep up withthe flood of parts comingfrom the high-speed fiberlaser. Working in tandem,the fiber laser and pressbrake enable Weaver to respond quickly andprecisely to customers’increasing demands forprototypes and last-minute changes.

Flexibility and pro-ductivity are both furtherenhanced by the ASLULautomated materials han-dling/storage tower —allowing Weaver to

run lights-out for prolonged periods of time. The ASLUL “changes how we buy our materials,”says Marian Lauer. “We can schedule more accurately and predictably and minimize or eveneliminate deviations from our planned productionschedules. But when needed, we can also introducerush jobs seamlessly.”

continued on page 6

Located in Akron, OH,Weaver PrecisionFabrication & Finishing has been successfullycompeting in the metal fabrication industry forover 70 years. Since purchasing the business in 1998, co-owners Jim and Marian Lauer, haveinstituted a lot of changes. The most significantchange: investing in advanced technology en-hanced by automation — in other words, partnering with Amada. Jim Lauer expressed it like this: “We needed to get high quality partsout the door in a hurry. Our aging laser wasworking 24/7 and not keeping up with the de-mands of our shop. We were limited... and wehate to be limited. After carefully studying allof our options, we chose Amada.”

Amada’s solution includes an FLCAJ 3015fiber laser, an ASLUL 300 automated materialhandling/storage system and an HG 1303 (a 143-ton, down-acting, hybrid drive pressbrake). The FLCAJ’s innovative, 3-axis linear

drive system delivers unmatched speed andaccuracy. According to Lauer: “The ASLUL provides an integrated lights-out solution for automated material handling/storage, allowing usto take full advantage of the fiber laser’s speedand versatility.” Marian Lauer adds: “Amada’sleading-edge equipment and customer-centeredapproach immediately put us at ease about mak-ing a switch. Now, we can leverage the speed and unique capabilities of the fiber laser to betterserve our existing customers and quote work that previously was not a fit for us.”

Amada’s InnovativeTechnologies andAutomated Systems Ensure:

• Expanded Capabilities (In addition to cutting mild steel four to five times faster

than their old CO2 laser, the FLCAJ expands Weaver’s process range by quickly and precisely cutting materials such as aluminum, copper and brass).

• Unmatched Precision (The HG 1003 is an ultra-high-precision and high-speed bending system. An advanced Dual Servo Power drive system provides the ultimatein bending control and accuracy for a full range of thin-to-thick materials).

• Maximum Flexibility (The ASLUL’s6-shelf configuration allows Weaver to quickly and easily switch betweendissimilar materials and different gauges. The HG’s large open height of 20.5" and stroke length of 9.8" ensures maximum bending versatility.

The FLCAJ fiber laser and HG1003 press brake work togetheras a precisely integrated blank-to-bend solution.

“Amada’s technology,

expertise, andcommitment

took ourbusiness

to thenext level.”

— Jim LauerPresident

Weaver PrecisionFabrication &

Finishing

Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing

The Power of Partnership. Amada’s Integrated Solution: Fiber LaserTechnology, Automated Material Handling& Storage and Advanced Bending

Co-Owners: Marian and Jim Lauer, Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing

Integrated Precision

Prior to purchasing thefiber laser and HG press brake,Weaver’s productivity was hin-dered by inefficiencies. For ex-ample, inconsistent bends in theforming department resulted ina robotic welder not being usedto it’s full potential. This addedadditional stress on the weldingdepartment as workers wererequired to take additionalsteps to correct bend angles —closing gaps so parts could be welded. The bottom line:Weaver knew they neededto upgrade there press braketechnology and remove the hammers from their shop.

Today, Weaver is leveraging the speedand precise repeatability of the HG pressbrake with confidence that the first part and

150th part will be identical. A user-friendly,AMNC 3i touchscreen control and offlineprogramming, ensure speed and accuracy forany level operator. The HG also analyzes andadjusts part angles automatically, eliminatingtest pieces and scrap.

Increasing productivityand accuracy in the forming

department was crucial in order to keep up withthe flood of parts comingfrom the high-speed fiberlaser. Working in tandem,the fiber laser and pressbrake enable Weaver to respond quickly andprecisely to customers’increasing demands forprototypes and last-minute changes.

Flexibility and pro-ductivity are both furtherenhanced by the ASLULautomated materials han-dling/storage tower —allowing Weaver to

run lights-out for prolonged periods of time. The ASLUL “changes how we buy our materials,”says Marian Lauer. “We can schedule more accurately and predictably and minimize or eveneliminate deviations from our planned productionschedules. But when needed, we can also introducerush jobs seamlessly.”

continued on page 6

Located in Akron, OH,Weaver PrecisionFabrication & Finishing has been successfullycompeting in the metal fabrication industry forover 70 years. Since purchasing the business in 1998, co-owners Jim and Marian Lauer, haveinstituted a lot of changes. The most significantchange: investing in advanced technology en-hanced by automation — in other words, partnering with Amada. Jim Lauer expressed it like this: “We needed to get high quality partsout the door in a hurry. Our aging laser wasworking 24/7 and not keeping up with the de-mands of our shop. We were limited... and wehate to be limited. After carefully studying allof our options, we chose Amada.”

Amada’s solution includes an FLCAJ 3015fiber laser, an ASLUL 300 automated materialhandling/storage system and an HG 1303 (a 143-ton, down-acting, hybrid drive pressbrake). The FLCAJ’s innovative, 3-axis linear

drive system delivers unmatched speed andaccuracy. According to Lauer: “The ASLUL provides an integrated lights-out solution for automated material handling/storage, allowing usto take full advantage of the fiber laser’s speedand versatility.” Marian Lauer adds: “Amada’sleading-edge equipment and customer-centeredapproach immediately put us at ease about mak-ing a switch. Now, we can leverage the speed and unique capabilities of the fiber laser to betterserve our existing customers and quote work that previously was not a fit for us.”

Amada’s InnovativeTechnologies andAutomated Systems Ensure:

• Expanded Capabilities (In addition to cutting mild steel four to five times faster

than their old CO2 laser, the FLCAJ expands Weaver’s process range by quickly and precisely cutting materials such as aluminum, copper and brass).

• Unmatched Precision (The HG 1003 is an ultra-high-precision and high-speed bending system. An advanced Dual Servo Power drive system provides the ultimatein bending control and accuracy for a full range of thin-to-thick materials).

• Maximum Flexibility (The ASLUL’s6-shelf configuration allows Weaver to quickly and easily switch betweendissimilar materials and different gauges. The HG’s large open height of 20.5" and stroke length of 9.8" ensures maximum bending versatility.

The FLCAJ fiber laser and HG1003 press brake work togetheras a precisely integrated blank-to-bend solution.

“Amada’s technology,

expertise, andcommitment

took ourbusiness

to thenext level.”

— Jim LauerPresident

Weaver PrecisionFabrication &

Finishing

Weaver Precision Fabrication & Finishing

Total Transformation.As a Total Solution provider, Amada has become a value-added partnerfor Weaver. This strategic partnership has led to changes that havetransformed the way Weaver does business including: new equipment,new work flow, new capabilities, new facilities and new corporateidentity. Now that’s Total Transformation.

The Story BehindThe Transformation

As partners in life and in business, Jimand Marian Lauer make a great team. Practi-cally speaking, this means Marian takes care ofthe HR, ISO and OSHA aspects of the businesswhich allows Jim to concentrate on sales andcompany growth. Drawing on each other’sstrengths is a formula that’s proven to be ex-tremely effective. The company has grownfrom 7 employees to 50 — with2015 sales in excess of $6 million.

Jim and Marian believe thatcustomer service is everything. The Lauers won’t hesitate to tellyou, “If you consistently deliver qualityparts on time, there is a lot of businessout there.” A customer-centered ap-proach to business was also a keyfactor in the decision to partnerwith Amada — a company that’s

grown to be the global leader by listening tothe voice of its customers.

Prior to partnering with Amada,Weaverfaced a number of challenges. The once smallcompany had grown to occupy 5 buildingsand was leasing space in a sixth. Inefficiencieshad also grown as materials and departmentswere spread about.

To manage and maintain growth, Weaverneeded to increase capacity, optimize work-flow, upgrade technologies and automate

processes. Amada’s solution made it possibleto achieve each of these goals. By first listen-ing... then analyzing, equipping, training andsupporting, Amada has become a valuablepartner to Weaver — providing a Total Solution for long-term growth.

Today, Weaver’s workflow is streamlinedand efficient. Parts are produced on-demandwith greater accuracy and reduced cost.Weaver has not only leveraged new technolo-gies and manufacturing techniques to better

serve existing customers, theyhave also expanded their rangeof capabilities to attract newcustomers (that were previouslynot a good fit). More impor-tantly, by switching to Amada,Weaver has formed a relation-ship with a partner that’s in-vested in their success — today,and well into the future.

“Amada did much more than sell us equipment. They restructured our entire manufacturing processto ensure maximum productivity. Prior to workingwith Amada, we had never encountered a machinetool manufacturer that cares about their customersas much as we care about ours.”

— Jim and Marian Lauer Reflecting on the decision to partner with Amada.

A partial list of Weaver’s capabilities includes: (From left to right) Precision Bending, Machining, Grinding, Robotic Welding, Fiber Laser Cutting and Powder Coating.