Is your manufacturing operation hanging by a thread? This may seem like a strange question, however, it could be more applicable to the efficiency and productivity of your business than you may think.
Many an otherwise successful machine shop is stymied by outdated IT. Two scenarios are prevalent: using outdated CAM software or using both outdated PCs and outdated CAM software. It really is taking an unnecessary risk and putting your multi-million dollar manufacturing operation in the position of “hanging by a thread.”
Survey your technology
Take a look around your machine shop for a moment. How old are the PCs running your communications program that feeds your machine tools with the programs they need to produce parts? What about the hardware running your engineering software? When was the last time your software was upgraded? If you have old hardware and it fails there is nothing to fall back on unless there is another old PC around since it is unlikely the old software will run on current hardware and operating systems. You may be gambling with your operation and the entire manufacturing process could be shut down.
The reality is that without modern hardware and updated CAM software you may actually face unproductive process times. Outdated hardware and software will probably not be producing optimal code for your machine-tools and may take longer to do so. This is contrary to the very purpose of purchasing the software in the first place.
Dangers of sytem failures
In the worst case scenario, your operation is likely to be shut down due to a system failure because of your outdated IT components for which you may not have back up. A simple hardware crash can result in the stoppage of your engineering/programming. This will result in loss of productivity and cost overruns.
When an emergency occurs engineers or managers scrambling for help may find it difficult to get the support they need for outdated programs that are no longer supported.
Determining which is the weak link in the production chain
The majority of metal fabricators receive their part files from their customers in CAD format. Although these CAD files are sometimes modified for last minute revisions once they are finalized they must be converted to G-code by the CAM software to begin production. A very important feature of CAM software is the “nesting” of various parts made from the same material. This creates maximum utilization of the material as powerful algorithms in the software are used to calculate the organizing and positioning of these parts into complex shapes and patterns while ensuring the parts fill all areas of the material blank in the most efficient manner possible.
Even more significantly, CAM software, with the properly developed post-processor, will leverage all the machine tool’s features and capabilities ensuring maximum output and the most time-effective processing of material.
Companies utilizing older, outdated applications can be significantly slowing down their operations. Older software may not leverage all the machine tool’s capabilities, resulting in poor material utilization and longer processing times. These hidden costs are often not quantified.
Increased costs and decreased productivity
When software is not upgraded or improved, your machine shop is not benefiting from the constant development vendors undertake to maximize the efficiency of their products. Vendors regularly make multiple improvements to their software offerings and offer new features which make the applications much more powerful. Their attention to customer feedback results in better programming, and along with more powerful hardware, all contribute to the natural evolution and improvement of available software products.
It is not difficult to conclude that IT infrastructure plays a significant role in any fabrication environment no matter how small. Without modern hardware and regularly updated and well-supported CAM software it becomes the weak link that can effectively shut down your entire fabrication shop.
The long-term, cost-effective solution
It is far more cost-effective and efficient to be proactive instead of reactive. This means having a current and upgraded IT system with well-established product that includes continuous upgrades and regular software maintenance as part of ongoing development. This will enable your company to function at optimal efficiency and productivity, ensuring the continued success of your metal fabricating operation well into the future.
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