Building flexibility
Draffin used a 1.2 kW CO2 laser to cut blanks and a punching machine to punch holes. To further streamline production, they looked to update the punch press. After consulting with GWB sales engineer James Gaal, a laser proved to be the better choice, delivering more flexibility in just one process. “The CO2 laser topped out at 5 mm stainless and we cut a lot of 8 mm and 10 mm, so we were subcontracting out a lot of laser cutting on top of what we were cutting inhouse,” Draffin recalls. “We were running well over capacity on that machine, about 18 hours a day.” He justified the purchase of a Phoenix fiber laser with a time study that proved it could do the work of the CO2 laser in just four hours.
The press brakes, laser and software deliver tremendous flexibility. “We can turn things around so quickly now, it’s insane,” says Draffin. “We produce a bin body of 2.5 mm stainless steel, covered in 19 mm holes that went from a combined cutting and punching time of about 18 minutes down to about three minutes with no double handling – sheet on, sheet off.”
Whether it’s manufacturing two or 200 items, Draffin is able to add customization to the end product from seating and planter boxes to drinking fountains and bicycle racks. “We have more design capacity now,” he adds. “We can put new designs in front of customers and get them excited. Other suppliers will generally just offer one item.”
Integrated approach
Implementing CADMAN-JOB, a Manufacturing Execution System that connects Draffin’s ERP system, CAM and shop, has moved Draffin into a more digitally-driven operation.
Parts are imported from Inventor 3D to CADMAN-SDI. An xml file is created and brought into CADMAN-JOB, which programs and schedules the laser and press brakes. Using LVD’s Touch-i4 tablet, Draffin is able to print out a label for each part which instructs the operator of the next step.
Staying power
In late 2020, the company moved into a new state-of-the-art facility. “The business is growing consistently and we’ve seen massive increases in productivity and efficiency,” reports Draffin.
Modern technology is a big part of the story, but so is having like-minded business partners. “Building a relationship and finding out the attitudes of the people you’re buying from is important,” he says. “LVD and GWB are similar to us – quality, good people, excited about what they’re doing.”