Sensor Automation: It's All Good
The Importance of Sensor Automation in Today's Stamping Dies
Using sensor technology in today's stamping dies has cleared the way for lower costs, shorter lead times and defect-free parts. Metalforming companies with robust sensor programs are investing in sensor technology to virtually mistake-proof production metal stamping. And the good new is, those companies are passing along this expertise with every defect-free part delivered.
Lower Costs
Costly die repair can occur when the die that you bought, equipped with inadequate sensors or none at all, crashes in the press and stops your just-in-time production run. With sensor automation built in, the same die could run unattended at the press and run at a higher press speed. Costs are down by eliminating excessive die maintenance, improving quality, reducing material costs, and decreasing labor hours.
Shortened Lead Times
Scheduling the delivery of parts is a crucial part of any manufacturer’s business. Lead times can often be shortened by the performance of a die running in the press with sensor automation. Presses equipped with die-protection controls can monitor critical processes happening in the press while maintaining speeds at peak efficiency. Less time at the press means quicker delivery of the part.
Defect-Free Parts
A die equipped with analog sensors will measure crucial part features while the die is running at top speeds in the press. The data collected by the sensors is analyzed and triggers a mechanical change in the die. This change can modify a feature of the part, and/or simply reject a part and provide defect-free parts to the customer.
Choose the Right Supplier
When choosing a supplier, look for knowledgeable suppliers who have integrated technology in their designs and have built top-notch sensor programs. By partnering with these suppliers you’ll be ensuring success with your next project.
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Winning A
Customer's Confidence with Sensor Automation
The Challenge
Recently, a company presented Ultra Tool and Manufacturing with a problem part. This part was being sourced from another metal stamper and they were unhappy with the results.
After hearing about our success applying sensor technology in progressive dies, they were interested in applying this technology on their part. This part was a component of a complex product and critical features of the part needed to be adjustable while maintaining a very tight tolerance (+/- .002”).
Our challenge was to build a die that allowed us to measure these features (e.g. bend angles) on every part and adjust them when needed.
Applying the Right Sensors
We knew from the research we did in our in-house sensor lab that we could select, test and prove the correct sensors for this application.
Applying analog sensors, something rarely done in a progressive die, gave us the ability to collect . . . (continued)
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What
We're Reading
Quick Response Manufacturing:
A Companywide Approach to
Reducing Lead Times by Rajan Suri
- Terry Hansen, President
- Ken Klumb, Stamping Department Manager
- Scott Acheson, Tooling Department Manager
Exporting America: Why Corporate Greed Is Shipping American Jobs Overseas by Lou Dobbs
- Brad Schmit, Manufacturing Technology Manager
Seven Steps To Measure Supplier Performance by Sherry Gordon, vice president, Emptoris Inc. in Quality Progress magazine published by ASQ.
- Lisa Matson, Quality Engineer <back to the top of the page
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