TECHNOLOGY- the Answer to a Manufacturer’s Big Problem !
A manufacturer of high quality pneumatic automation components, from cylinders to directional control valves, air presses to linear slides and more was facing a large and complex problem.
… a problem that so many manufacturers face today. They were asking themselves the same question over and over:
Fabco-Air was founded by Alfred W. Schmidt in Cleveland, Ohio in 1958 and has grown extensively since then. For over 50 years they have provided the industry with high quality parts at competitive prices and have established themselves as a name you can trust with their in-house engineering, production, and assembly.
Their extensive and diverse product line and outstanding customer service has allowed them to become a major provider to the most demanding industries: medical, packaging, semi-conductor, automotive, robotics, custom motor vehicles, etc.
President Bill Schmidt, son of founder, has built a strong engineering staff and full CAD support, about 45% of Fabco-Air’s business is
special products designed to customer specifications. In addition Fabco-Air has a domestic network of stocking distributors that blankets the US, as well as over 30 international distributors to serve their customers’ needs abroad. As a world class performance leader of pneumatic products, Fabco-Air had a reputation to uphold and an international cliental that demanded they stay up with the cutting edge of technology. Their automation manager, Ken Sutton was looking to find a solution that would allow them to continue with their diverse and rapidly growing product line, while offering on-time delivery and excellent quality control.The problem was complex. Fabco-Air’s criteria for the solution they were looking for: a reduction of thru-put time, a shorter handling time and a huge reduction of set-up time.
80 tools with off the shelf holders!
After much research, Fabco-Air found the answer to their problem at Eurotech Elite: Eurotech’s turn mill center with Y-axis and two spindles with C-axis – the B545 SLY.
Fabco’s decision proved to be better than they even anticipated. When they chose Eurotech, it came with not only the latest technology but with the Eurotech’s highly acclaimed engineering team. Shortly after, a second machine was purchased – Eurotech’s B835 SLY. Together the Fabco and Eurotech engineering teams made magic: parts went from 7-ops to 1-op, set up time was greatly reduced and often eliminated altogether. With Eurotech’s B545 SL-Y, we not only reduced our operations, but we inspect a complete part 1 time instead of a partial part 7 times.”
That’s right. Impressive! Under the watchful eye of his granddaughter, Lila, and her cohort, Elvis, Ken Sutton and the Eurotech engineering team master-minded not only one set-up with hundreds of parts but also over 80 tools on one turret.
Needless to say Fabco-Air is prepared to deliver to their customers a world class performance. If a customer runs into a problem and needs something unique, Fabco-Air can design and prototype a solution for him within three days!
« Lila and Elvis oversee
Fabco-Air’s operations.
One solution included a large hole through a double rod air cylinder. Fabco-Air customized a standard cylinder to fit into small parts assembly machinery. The through hole allowed mechanical drives and pressure/vacuum lines to pass to the point of use.
Another solution for a specialty machine builder required a unique dual bore cylinder. Fabco-Air provided integral nests machined into the cylinder body to enable precise alignment of customer tooling while meeting extremely tight space limitations.
Special external bushings solved guidance issues and met cylinder length restrictions. A modified 5" bore cylinder, designed with a special tool plate, used long composite bushings for continuous guide shaft engagement. The bushings were supported at both ends by the end caps. Length restrictions precluded use of overhanging guide shafts or double rod construction
80 tools with off the shelf holders!
