OCTOBER 20218 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSIN MY OPINIONBy Viren Joshi, CEO and President, Sigma Electric Manufacturing CorporationTechnological advancement promotes operational excellence by allowing manufacturers to develop new products that can be cost-competitive compared to conventional processes. They also permit manufacturers to produce high-quality products as per customer's specifications. These processes are good for the environment because they often consume fewer raw materials and generate less scrap. They improve safety as well by exposing workers to fewer hazardous materials.At Sigma, we believe that technological advancement will have the most significant potential to influence the manufacturing landscape and will enhance productivity in the coming years. Sigma has developed a proprietary state-of-the-art Special Purpose Machine (SPM) design and development technology centre. Highly engineered production equipment with significant engineering capabilities is manufactured with highly customized machinery and extensive robotics utilization, which boosts overall productivity & quality performance and reduces cost.The technology centre is equipped with a modern design facility and software with an experienced design team with sound knowledge of design in mechanical assemblies, hydraulics, pneumatics, mechatronics, electrical systems, robotics, and automation. The centre is also equipped with an in-house PLC programming facility, assembly shop used to avoid repetitive work, for example, light curtain brackets, sensor mountings, cylinders, drilling tapping heads, motors, etc. A design numbering system is used to identify manufacturing parts. Common parts are used in all machines identified with a standard number. These part numbers get engraved on the part after manufacturing for easy identification. A design check sheet is followed to confirm all points.Design Review:To finalize the design and check manufacturing feasibility, review meetings are arranged with the customer and internal team. Members from all the functions such as engineering, production, quality, safety, maintenance are part of this review. The machine is thoroughly assessed by the team to ensure that all aspects of safety and quality are addressed. After finalization and signoff, the parts are released for manufacturing. All data related to machines such as work order, product drawing, costing sheet, planning sheet, review signoff documents, part drawings, bill of material, quotations, assembly drawings, etc. are documented.Manufacturing of Parts:Bill of material, part drawings, quotations of manufacturing parts, and bought-out parts are shared with the sourcing team to place the orders. After purchase requisition and purchase order completion, follow-up actions for timely delivery of components is done with the vendors. The designer plays a crucial role in coordinating with the vendors and getting the parts manufactured per the design prints.Machine Assembly:After receipt of machine parts, a thorough inspection is conducted to ensure that parts meet the specifications. This is verified before the start of the assembly process to make sure that the lead times are met. Machine assembly is done per plan. The team works into groups for timely completion of tool room, test equipment, IOT laboratory, and Cobot simulation center to explore various trials and process design, which helps for speedy execution.The process steps for Special Purpose Machine (SPM) The Art of Creating a Modernized Shop FloorViren Joshi
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