REPORT - GERMAN MACHINED PRODUCTS, INC.
Impressive increase in efficiency Since 1972, German Machined Products, Inc. (GMPI) in Los Angeles, CA has been specializing in the machining, manufacture and assembly of aerospace industry components. In 2016 they discovered the advantages of EROWA and have already made further investments. GMPI had been running an EROWA Robot Multi since the spring of 2016. “We had very good results so we decided to invest further,” says Jonathan Minter, Head of Continuous Improvement. In the spring of 2017, a project was launched in which the existing solution was to be replaced by an EROWA Robot Dynamic 150 Linear. The system was installed in early May.
The high-productivity manufacturing cell consists of four Yama-Seiki 5-axis CNC machining centers and an EROWA Robot Dynamic 150 Linear. The EROWA process control system controls and monitors the entire cell.
2+2+2 Whereas the old robot served two machines, the new cell already consists of four Yama Seiki 5-axis vertical machining centers. The two existing machines could be commissioned without any problems, and without retrofit. Furthermore, enough space was allowed to accommodate an additional two machines, so the EROWA Robot Dynamic 150 Linear will ultimately serve six machining centers. The tooling system consists of the PowerChuck P and ITS 148 pallets. The cell machines aluminum plates of up to 11.5 kg / 25.35 Ibs in weight and batch sizes range from 3 to 90 workpieces.
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REPORT - GERMAN MACHINED PRODUCTS, INC.
The EROWA ITS Tooling System is the standardized and continous interface on all machines.
“The aim is to be able to run unattended shifts at night and over the weekends,” explains Jonathan Minter. Two to three operators are intended to keep the production cell running around-the-clock, 24-7. “We’re already getting there with the new system. What also helps is the EROWA Manufacturing Control V3 cell management system, which could be integrated without a hitch,” he says approvingly.
invest in new technologies,” he says, “otherwise there’s not much point in us being able to offer world-class experience and excellent quality.” The new production cell also results in an improvement in employees’ working conditions. Above all, however, “it brought about a impressive increase in our machining centers efficiency,” says Jonathan Minter: “We are very impressed and will continue to partner with EROWA for parts and projects of this size and nature.”
Copyright © 2017 - EROWA AG Contact: German Machined Produts Inc. 1415 W. 178th Street Gardena, Ca 90248 USA Tel: +1 310.532.4480 info@gmpi.aero https://www.gmpi.aero The modularly extendable EROWA Robot Dynamic 150 L with a wide variety of functions. Transfer weight up to 150 kg / 330 Ibs.
Fierce competition “EROWA was our first step into automation,” Jonathan Minter continues. This was not only important because the company had to cope with complex machining processes but primarily because the aerospace industry is subject to very strong competition. After all, customers source globally. “If we want to keep pace with the existing pricing structures, we’ll have to
EROWA AG CH-6233 Büron Switzerland Tel: ++41 (0)41 935 11 11 info@erowa.com www.erowa.com
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