![]() Obviously, this also increases machining time, tool usage and material costs a bit, but may well be worth it to make more parts unattended. An alternative process such as using a single diameter bar for multiple applications may provide the solution.įor example, if parts are typically made from both 7/8- and 1-inch diameter bar stock, standardizing on 1-inch bars will increase the volume of parts produced overnight. ![]() However, for multiple parts from various diameters of bar stock, the number of parts produced overnight is limited because nobody will be there to manage the change-over from one material to the next. The length of the part will help determine how many parts can be produced. For a single part or a family of parts from one diameter of bar stock (something for which Swiss-type machines are well suited), loading a bar feeder with material can allow the job to run all night. The first consideration should be the types of parts that will run. With no one in the facility to monitor the cell, it’s critical to eliminate potential problems that would require intervention. However, it’s often not as simple as that. If the company already has work cells that primarily operate unattended during the day, the temptation is to set up a run at the end of a shift, turn out the lights and let the magic happen. It Starts with the Bar Feeder Partsįor most manufacturers, implementing lights-out is to reduce overall production costs. How can a shop owner prevent sleepless nights and live the dream? It’s a matter of defining the goals, thinking through the entire production scheme, selecting the right equipment, and documenting the process. “I kept thinking about everything that could go wrong and finally went to the shop at 3 a.m. ![]() ![]() One machine shop owner confided that he couldn’t sleep the first night he ran lights-out production. However, ceding total control of production to unmanned machines and worrying about everything that could go wrong is the stuff of nightmares. The vision of bar feeders automatically loading into unattended turning machines and pumping out parts overnight can seem like a dream come true. Click here to download the "How to Prepare for Lights-Out Production: Bar Feeders & More" white paper. ![]()
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