For some fabricators, production may be a little quieter at the moment. Investing in machinery might not be the first priority, but this can be one of the best times to look closely at how your workshop operates.
When orders increase, the pressure follows quickly. More profiles need to be cut and machined, deadlines become tighter and skilled operators can become stretched across multiple processes. This can also increase the pressure to bring on additional labour just to keep production moving and jobs on schedule. If your existing workflow already has bottlenecks, additional work is likely to expose them.
So, before things ramp up, ask a practical question: could your current team and machinery comfortably handle more work? If the answer is no, then it’s time to look at your workflow and machinery.
Find What Could Slow Production Before You Get Busy
Start by looking at how an aluminium profile moves through your workshop.
How many times is it manually measured, positioned or moved between machines? Which processes rely heavily on particular operators? Where does work wait before the next operation can begin?
These are the areas worth investigating now.
CNC automation doesn’t necessarily mean automating your entire workshop. The right investment depends on where your production constraints are and how much additional capacity you need.
Different Levels of Automation for Different Workshops
For businesses looking to automate profile machining, the Pertici P104 and P105 CNC machining centres provide a practical starting point. These 4-axis machines automate operations including routing, milling, drilling, tapping and end milling. Rather than completing these processes across separate manual operations, CNC machining can bring greater repeatability and reduce operator input across recurring jobs.
Take a closer look at the P105 in operation and see how CNC machining could fit into your production workflow. Want to see it for yourself? Talk to the AMS team to arrange a free demonstration in our showroom.
If cutting is slowing production, the Yilmaz DC421 double mitre saw offers another route to greater automation. Its two CNC-controlled mobile heads can be programmed for cutting operations, helping reduce repeated manual positioning when processing cutting lists.
For workshops that need greater cutting capacity and more control over angles, the Pertici CTE500 and CTE600 double mitre saw takes another step forward. The CTE600 is a CNC double-head cutting machine that uses 600 mm blades, with controlled head rotation from 45° internal to 20° external. Cutting operations are programmed through a controlled touchscreen, making it suited to businesses processing larger profiles or jobs requiring varied cutting angles.
At the higher end of CNC automation, the Pertici P527 5-axis CNC machining centre brings milling, drilling, threading, cutting and end milling into one system. For businesses currently moving profiles between different machines and operators, consolidating multiple processes can reduce handling and simplify the production flow. With the right setup, multiple processes can be managed by one operator, making the P527 particularly relevant where production capacity and labour availability are major considerations.
Don’t Wait Until Capacity Becomes the Problem
The best time to identify a production constraint isn’t when your order book is full and deadlines are already under pressure.
A quieter period gives you the opportunity to review your machinery, workflow and staffing requirements properly. You can identify which manual processes consume the most time, where additional capacity will be needed and where CNC automation could reduce reliance on additional labour as workloads increase. From there, you can determine which level of automation best suits your workflow and capacity needs.
That doesn’t always mean choosing the most automated machine available. A P104 or P105 4-axis CNC machining centre may address the machining bottleneck. A DC421, CTE500 or CTE600 may improve the cutting process. For another workshop, consolidating processes with a P527 5-axis machining centre may make more sense.
The important part is making that decision before the workload demands it.
Prepare Before Your Workloads Increase
AMS has been supplying machinery to the aluminium industry since 1985, with a range of CNC solutions backed by local expertise and ongoing support. Our team can assess your current production requirements, workshop space and future capacity needs to help identify the right CNC solution for your business.
We also provide local installation, training, servicing, spare parts and technical support to help keep your machinery productive after installation.
If you’re using a quieter period to review your production, talk to AMS about where CNC automation could make the biggest difference in your workshop. Call 1300 736 556 or contact our team today.