Hi
We are gearing up to purchase a CNC and have made most of the decisions with just a couple left.
Basically I'm looking to get an understanding of how much impact auto loading and unloading will have on production.
Machine specs as follows 2700 x 1200 bed 12 tool onboard tool changer 9 position drill head Fully customisable software package
Current factory setup Sliding panel saw 12 metre minute edgebander dedicated 5 head drill press Blum minipress
4 x staff Myself running office, drafting and occasional install 1 Offshore draftsman managed via me (drawing in autocad, considering getting an extra software seat for them to draw with the new software, by the looks of the software it will be heaps quicker than the current time it takes to draw so hoping I can take over the drawing and make the draftsman position redundant for now) 1 x Factory Tradesman Running production from when shop drawings are complete (He will be trained on the CNC) 1 x apprentice 1 x Part time installer 2-3 days a week Currently Advertising to hire another tradesman to be between factory and installation
Rather than getting the basic software package I'm getting the premium package as I have heard many times that good software is very important and I don't see the point in buying a machine and not using it to full capacity.
I haven't had much personal experience running a CNC router so not sure how much of an impact the auto load and unload would make. It's adding about 20k to the purchase price and stretching the budget. So need it to be worth it.
Currently processing about 100 sheets a month. Assuming we could handle upto 150 p/m (and the assembly and install that comes along with that) with current staff numbers and the introduction of the CNC.
Any advice much appreciated.
From contributor Ke
With that volume an autoload would be way more machine then you would need. Our Biesse router with load and offload can get upwards of 100 sheets in a day. The machine we had before that did not have load or unload and we could get about 40 in a day. Most of the time on that machine was spent getting routed parts off the table and cleaning it for the next sheet. If it were my money with your volume i would look at a machine with a sweeper on it but nothing more and use the saved money for dowel inserter and case clamp.
From contributor Sa
I would have to agree with Kevin, at 100 sheets a month it would be more than you need. Having said that, I worked in a shop that had an auto labeller as well. It didn't need any skilled supervision at all. The edge banded was placed about 6 feet from the offload table so a single operator could run both. We have a sweeper arm and a vacuum lift to load. Works very well. Can cut about 40-45 sheets a day.
From contributor ch
Great, thankyou.
The machine does have a sweeper on it and the autoload feature can be fitted later (just costs extra 6k rather than getting it done at the same time)
I think well get set up with that and if we need a push later on we can get the autoloader installed.
Thanks for the advice.
From contributor Sa
Chipbored,
This is what we have to load the machine. http://akhurst.com/machinery/woodworking/material-handling/handling-arm-1.html
I'm not sure who distributes them in the states, but I cannot recommend highly enough! Our shop foreman who is about 120lbs can easily load a sheet of 1 1/4" MDF by herself. The delaney is all air powered too so no need for extra electrical. If I had an extra 6K I would buy one for my slider too!
From contributor sa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nVAkbRdfoE
