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5 Services to keep your CNC machines efficient from Gosiger Technical Service & Customer Support

Gosiger applications experts can help you maximize your operation’s productivity by analyzing your manufacturing process and recommending the best CNC machines and automation technologies for your unique requirements. Equally important, Gosiger is committed to keeping your equipment running at peak efficiency with a service and support staff of over 100 professionals.

Each Gosiger technical service team member completes extensive OEM-lead training before being certified to work on your equipment, and participates in an ongoing regimen of continuing education. This means that the Gosiger technician who visits you brings an average of 10 years of field experience to the task and is equipped with the latest information about your CNC machines.

Gosiger provides telephone support to answer your questions in a timely manner, and if a service call is necessary we typically respond within 24 hours. Additionally, we offer a host of other support services including:

• Preventative Maintenance Programs that keep your equipment up and running at peak efficiency while saving you downtime and money.
• Millions of Dollars in Spare Parts on hand at all times so you get same day delivery of in-stock parts for emergencies and standard next day delivery.
• Advanced Technical Training to help your people get optimum performance from your machines.
• Process Improvement Analysis, Design & Implementation that considers your manufacturing processes from raw material to finished product, recommends improvements that boost productivity, and puts them into place.
• Machine Tool Rebuilding restores equipment to its original performance levels at less than replacement cost.

There’s much more technical service and customer support available from equipment moving and installation to spindle rebuilding. To learn more, contact Gosiger today.

Gosiger Factory Automation Key to Tool Maker’s Sales Growth

RFM, a unit of Mitsubishi Materials USA, manufactures indexable, multi-pocketed milling cutters, end mills and drills. The Brighton, Michigan facility quadrupled its annual sales and increased production output 25% by applying Gosiger Factory Automation technologies to its machining processes.

RFM contacted Gosiger Factory Automation to analyze the situation and design a high-volume cell that could run continuously. This design includes operating unattended overnight and on weekends. 

The solution Gosiger Factory Automation designed and installed routinely produces more parts than three manually loaded machines combined. It consists of an Okuma vertical machining center equipped with a Tsudakoma 4^th/5^th axis tilting rotary table and a six-axes FANUC robot. To optimize servicing the cell, the robot loads through a side door, thus leaving the front of the machining center and control panel unobstructed. 

A key to the system’s efficiency involves mounting rough tool blanks into CAT 50 tool holder bodies held by the rotary table. This means that a FANUC robot equipped with a single set of grippers can handle virtually any part processed by the vertical machining center.

The machine operator mounts the rough part blanks in the tool holder bodies, and these, in turn, are loaded into special pallets. Each pallet, which holds 25 tool blanks, is automatically conveyed to the robot that loads the blanks into the CNC machining center. After completing the machining cycle, the system returns the part to the pallet. When full, the pallets are automatically discharged from the cell. The system is capable of continuously running these pallets throughout the process.

RFM Vice President and General Manager Rudy Meffert stated, “We’re extremely pleased with Gosiger Factory Automation. Everything they did during analysis, design, installation and startup went as expected. Just as important, when we have questions, need assistance or run into a glitch, the Gosiger people are eager to help and very responsive.”

To boost your productivity and profitability, contact Gosiger Factory Automation today.

Horizontal Machining Centers From Gosiger Free Up Valuable Floor Space

Factory floor space is often one of your most valuable assets so, naturally, you want to make every square foot as dollar productive as possible. Which means that if you frequently machine multi-sided parts, you should consider making your next CNC machine tool investment a horizontal machining center (HMC). The reason is quite simple: In many cases one horizontal machining center replaces multiple vertical machining centers (VMC).

For example, machining a part on vertical machining centers most often requires the operator to move the part seven or more times, typically in and out of four different vertical machining centers to accomplish all of the tasks required. On the other hand, the same operator can completely machine a six-sided part on a single horizontal machining center. Thus you save all of the floor space that three of the four vertical machining centers occupy, which adds up to a lot of real estate that you can use more productively.

Add to this a significant reduction in labor costs per part, thanks to the operator touching the part only three times with a horizontal machining center versus seven times on four vertical machining centers. Plus, you’ll also save on the cost of fixtures, since the horizontal machining center requires fewer changes in the position of parts from one operation to another. Finally, because spindle utilization on a horizontal machining center is 85% versus 25% for vertical machining centers, your overall manufacturing operation will become far more productive.

The Gosiger manufacturing technology experts can give you all of the facts on Okuma horizontal machining centers for general machining, heavy machining and high speed machining needs. So contact them today.

Is It Time For Manufacturers To Resurrect Apprenticeships?

There was a time, not that long ago, when apprenticeship programs were the standard for developing new manufacturing talent. Young people who had an interest in manufacturing served apprenticeships through which they learned skilled trades. These days you seldom hear of such programs. What we do hear too often is how difficult it is to find qualified machinists and other employees.

It’s ironic that with such high unemployment rates, manufacturing companies report having thousands of jobs nationally that they can’t fill. If you’re one of these, perhaps it’s time to consider establishing an apprenticeship program of your own.

First, recognize that most high schools do not offer the training necessary to work with CNC machines, and many graduates who have an interest in manufacturing don’t continue their education. This means your apprentices will need additional training, and you must be willing to help fund it. Therefore, you’ll need to find local technical schools and community colleges that can provide this specialized education. You’ll also want to establish policies for reimbursing tuition costs for your apprentices that include tying the reimbursement to continued employment with your company for a specified period of time. As your apprentices are improving their education, they’ll also receive on the job training from your seasoned employees who will mentor the apprentices.

Another important aspect of an apprenticeship program is finding and selecting the right candidates. This means attending job fairs, visiting area high schools, holding information sessions and posting program details on social media and your Web site. Once you’ve identified potential candidates, you’ll want to employ a rigorous evaluation to make sure the would-be apprentices have the fundamental capabilities and commitment to succeed in the program. In your search, don’t overlook military personnel returning to civilian life. They can often bring skills acquired in the service and maturity to your program.

AMPS Flexible Manufacturing Systems from Gosiger Boost Productivity

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment an idle CNC machine spindle is an ugly thing. Yet the typical stand-alone machining center runs only about 1/3 of the time, while patiently waiting for setup, programming or workpiece loading and unloading. All of which means less cutting time and lost productivity.

That’s why Gosiger recommends the Okuma Automated Modular Pallet System (AMPS). This unique, flexible manufacturing system (FMS) optimizes throughput by managing your production schedule and level loading your machining centers. In addition, AMPS enhanced production lines can often be managed by a single operator, thus reducing labor costs.

Okuma offers two versions of these flexible manufacturing systems. AMPS C is a complete system designed to specifically work with Okuma CNC machining centers, and is installed in a container. Each AMPS C includes all of the equipment necessary for automating pallet storage and handling in a compact and safe package. The system is expandable to meet future requirements, and can be configured with up to 2 containers, 2 Okuma CNC machining centers and 2 load stations in any combination. It provides 2-level storage to minimize floor space and maximize storage capacity. Each system is pre-assembled and factory tested prior to shipment to minimize installation and start-up time.

AMPS M is a standard flexible manufacturing system for one or more Okuma machining centers. It includes a high-speed stacker crane, 2 or 3 levels of pallet storage and easy-to-use load stations and controller. The system’s modular design allows greater layout flexibility, requires zero setup time and is ideal for unattended operation.

To learn more about the productivity enhancing Okuma AMPS flexible manufacturing systems, contact Gosiger today.

Communication Among Workcell Components

An Ethernet-based system acts as a conduit for relaying operational data between the programming software, controller, bar feeder, machine tool and parts unloader.

Read more on how Gosiger's own Dave Marsh worked with other suppliers and the LNS e-Connect System to build a solution that saved time and money.

3 Simple Ways Manufacturing Managers Can Increase Their Productivity

In today’s competitive manufacturing world, productivity is the key to success, so we invest in people and equipment that can make us more efficient. For managers of any kind, from owner or production manager to supervisor or shift leader, getting the most out of our own workday is often a challenge. There are always interruptions, unexpected problems and fires to put out. So how can we juggle all of our responsibilities and still be productive?

Here are a few proven suggestions that can help:

1. Prioritize: Most of us have a list of what we want to accomplish on a given day. It may be on paper, in a computer, or just in your head (if you’re not a list maker, start now). The first thing you should do each day is ask yourself, “Which 2 – 3 things on this list will get me closest to my goals? Which are most important?” Then make those 2 – 3 things your top priorities. Our tendency is to do the easiest tasks first, thinking we’ll get them “out of the way” and then we’ll tackle the big issues. The problem is that we often get pulled away before we get to the most important things on our list.
2. Don’t Multitask: Many of us would like to believe we can do many things well at the same time. The fact is, there’s significant scientific evidence that multitasking simply does not work. In fact, the brain cannot do more than one thing at a time. Instead, it merely switches back and forth very quickly between activities shifting focus from one activity to the other. Focus on the most important task at hand and you will be more productive
3. Delegate: You’re a manager and also a leader. So why not help your people grow by letting them handle some of the items on your daily list? They’ll often surprise you with their performance, and you can cross off a few more things. It’s a win-win situation.

Business & Consumer Credit Cards Are Not Created Equal

In recent years bank loans and other conventional credit resources have been harder for many businesses to access. As a result, use of business credit cards has risen dramatically, especially for small businesses. Although they can be a handy way to help manage cash flow, there are a number of pitfalls to using company credit cards that you should be aware of.

Some business owners believe that their company credit cards follow the same rules as consumer credit cards. In fact, provisions of the state and federal laws that protect consumer credit cardholders do not apply to business or commercial credit cards.

As a result, business users of credit cards should be aware of these differences:

Interest Charges on consumer credit cards cannot be raised in the first year of issue. After that the credit card company must give 45 days advance notice of any interest charge changes. Business credit card issuers, on the other hand, can change rates whenever they desire, with no advance notice required.

Past Due Penalties for consumers require the account be at least 60 days delinquent. Business card holders can be hit with penalty fees and automatic interest rate hikes if an account is even one day past due.

Liability For Fraudulent Use of consumer credit cards is limited by law to $50. Business credit cards have no such protection, so if your card is lost or stolen you could be liable for all charges.

Often business credit card issuers have policies that address some of these and other concerns. However, each credit issuer is free to set its own rules and may offer a variety of business credit cards, each with its own policies. So take a look at the credit cards you use and shop around for the best terms when applying for a new card.

Service As Well As CNC Machine Performance Key To Manufacturer’s Productivity Improvements

Morbark, Inc. is the industry leader in heavy-duty wood harvesting equipment known for performance and reliability. So Central Machine Shop Director, Joe Faber wasn’t about to settle for anything less in his CNC machines.

“When we were ready to add some new CNC machines we looked at all of the options and were most impressed with the Gosiger organization’s thorough knowledge of manufacturing and the capabilities of the Okuma products. We checked with other manufacturers who had switched to Okuma CNC machines from Gosiger. Everyone we spoke with beat the drum for the quality of the Okuma products and the technical support and service from Gosiger.” As a result, Morbark now has two Okuma horizontal machining centers and an Okuma vertical mill.

"We used to have one operator program each CNC machine – each using his own method. With Gosiger’s assistance we now have one operator in charge of multiple machines, we’ve standardized programs, and are addressing tooling and tool life management, crash avoidance and other issues.”

Morbark also took advantage of Gosiger’s training classes that helped them learn new methods for programming and more. For example, one part they make has over 1400 holes. By improving the programming and taking advantage of the CNC machine’s greater speed, the company reduced some processes from 8 to 1.5 work-hours.

“So far working with Gosiger has been a great journey.” Joe says. “They respond very quickly to any questions, and when we’ve needed service they’re on our floor within 24 hours, and often that same day. More important, the technicians are knowledgeable and able to get us back up and running quickly.”

If service and support is as important as the right CNC machine to your operation, talk to Gosiger today.

First-Time User Of Factory Automation Sees 60 – 70% Cost Reduction

Bill Goodman, President of Inland Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., saw little opportunity to benefit from factory automation. “Along with our production stamping and light assembly businesses, we produce individual prototypes and tooling, or small batches of parts in our machining operations,” he explains, “So automation really hasn’t been much of an issue.”

Things changed, however, when Inland began making production runs of a family of parts for heavy-duty cable clamps used on slings attached to derricks for loading and unloading freight, and in the lumber industry. That’s when they decided to investigate how applying factory automation to this repetitive process might save them time and reduce labor costs. They chose an Okuma Captain L-370MWBB CNC lathe as the centerpiece and worked with Gosiger Factory Automation to create a cell that integrated an LNS Quick Load Servo 80 bar feeder, inbound and outbound parts conveyors, and a Fanuc M-6iB/6S robot to handle parts.

The Okuma lathe can run parts from bar stock provided by the LNS bar feeder, or machine slugs loaded by the Fanuc robot from the inbound conveyor. In both instances the robot unloads the finished parts from the machine’s sub spindle and places them on the outbound parts chute.

According to Goodman, “Gosiger worked out all of the details and got each piece to communicate with the others. It was a very satisfactory installation and the Gosiger Factory Automation people were all knowledgeable and professional throughout. Before we had this cell installed we had one operator dedicating 100% of his time to the process. Now the operator only spends about 30% - 40% of his time on the cell and the rest on other work. That’s a big savings.”

To learn how Gosiger Factory Automation can save you time and money, contact Gosiger today.