5 best practices to speed up tooling setup times.

Speed is a fundamental factor for productivity. For every minute that is not used in production, some money is lost.

In our sector, it is extremely important to consider tooling setup times. By tooling setup time, we mean the time spent selecting and mounting the tools on the press brake. This is an important factor, especially when you need to frequently replace the tool series. More specifically, it happens when the production lot is small - that is, there are not many workpieces to bend. When tooling setup is frequent it is fundamental to go from one lot to another as quickly as possible.

High quality requires time. Sheet metal bending is an extremely accurate art, with very careful monitoring and attention. Margins are always tight and the market requires top quality products.

So, how can we make production accurate, quick and efficient? Here are 5 best practices to reach this goal.

1 - IMPROVING TOOL STORAGE.

A good practice is to have the tools close to the press brake. In this way, operators have all the materials they need a few steps away.

Companies, according to their own procedures, must have effective tool organization strategies in order to make tool storage clearer and easier to manage for the operators.

Digital catalogs and indexes are welcomed: any solution that is apt to make the work more efficient and smoother.

2 - CLEARLY IDENTIFYING PRESS BRAKE TOOLING.

A really convenient system to speed up procedures is to put identification marks on your tools. Some identification marks are laser-etched onto the tools. These marks or the label must include information about the tool. Such as radius, V opening, length, tonnage...and any other details relevant for production. By doing so, it will be possible to avoid mistakes and work faster.

3 - INSTALLING FASTER SAFETY SYSTEMS…

Safety systems might also slow down production times. As they are sometimes calibrated on each tool individually, they have to be readjusted every time a tool is replaced. Some safety systems are optimized, so that they do not need to be recalibrated and can save a great amount of time.

…AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY.

Modern press brakes are technologically advanced and can speed up tooling setup times, for example by memorizing information and patterns. New technologies also include 3D-simulators to accurately predict the resulting bend as well as offline programming modes. Sheet metal bending is an industry where accuracy and quality are extremely important, especially when the workpieces have to be subsequently assembled with close tolerances. Investing in the best technologies available on the market always pays off in terms of results.

4 - COUNTING ON OPERATORS' TRAINING.

Machinery must be technologically advanced, but at the same time, operators must be properly trained and continuously updated. Press brake operators who received proper training about machinery will be able to take full advantage of all the press brake's functions.

5 - USING SMART TOOLS SUCH AS EUROGRIP CLAMPS.

Eurogrip is a complete clamping system for European style upper tooling (Amada, Promecam Style) which brings a great advantage: it saves up to 70-85% of time compared to standard systems.

Discover Eurogrip products, such as EUROGRIP M-WDP for upper tool clamping by Eurostamp.

Eurostamp Tooling is an Italian company manufacturing and selling top quality press brake tooling and equipment since 1970. More than 3,700 customers worldwide choose Euostamp for our professionalism, skills, precision and fast delivery.

Contact Eurostamp.