MENU BLOG Home > Blog > BSMW Augments Safety, Quality and Productivity Through Automation BSMW AUGMENTS SAFETY, QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH AUTOMATION Kenny C | 11/04/2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the metal fabrication industry, as mounting supply chain problems threaten shipping and production. Badger Sheet Metal Works continues to address these challenges head-on, managing costs and output by leveraging ingenuity. Among the solutions is one with a notably large impact: automation. Automation is a term used often in metal fabrication that can mean different things. Its most basic definition within the industry is the use of technology applications where human input is minimized. At BSMW, this includes tasks such as lifting, loading and unloading material; welding; deburring; and polishing. This article reviews the key reasons why automation helps BSMW solve safety challenges, improve quality, boost productivity, and empower its employees. INCREASED SAFETY BSMW always addresses safety first and will never compromise this vital aspect of the job just to get more product out the door. In fact, safer operations translate to more efficient operations. The many automated machines and systems BSMW has implemented in the last few years increase throughput and prevent the kinds of employee strain and fatigue that contribute to workplace injuries and downtime. CONSISTENT PART PRODUCTION AND QUALITY The need for rework because the first attempt was of poor quality is like a heavy weight dragging down production time and customer satisfaction. Automation allows BSMW operations to be performed with greater control and enhanced quality: Accuracy and consistency are improved. Most products require precise measurements. Automation can create a process producing thousands of identical end results. A program will run the same way every time, meaning the associated automated system or machine will perform the same way, as well. Human errors caused by fatigue, distraction, stress, etc. are eliminated. The process of maintaining ISO 9001 compliance, plus other certifications, is simplified. BSMW’s automated systems and machines ensure every product meets the highest industry standards. BOOSTED PRODUCTION RATES With automation handling repetitive work, BSMW workers have more time to focus on tasks that drive BSMW’s business forward. These are opportunities that unlock creativity to solve problems and develop strategies to enhance efficiency and elevate operations. This kind of work atmosphere is more engaging and encourages a higher productivity rate. Increased speed of production reduces costs for BSMW and, ultimately, its customers. Higher productivity also helps absorb increases in wages and benefits. What automated technology is improving BSMW’s products and working environment? Automated Laser Load/Unload System BSMW’s automated laser load/unload system indicates to the machine when to load a raw sheet of metal onto the laser bed. It cycles into the machine, and cycles back out once that material has been processed at the laser. The system then picks up the material, transferring it to a cart while also loading the next sheet. This automation means there is no risk of injury by manually lifting, loading, or unloading the raw material, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. CNC Seam Welder Instead of manually holding a torch, welders using the CNC seam welder load the material into the machine, clamp it down, and let it cycle through MIG or TIG processes. This automated technology can process up to a 12-foot weld seam, improving consistency and preventing fatigue. It also keeps welders from climbing up the material to complete a longer seam. ARKU Deburring Machine Before the ARKU deburring machine arrived, a “sort team” at BSMW used hand grinders to deburr edges on parts. Using the automated technology, the parts are now loaded onto a conveyer and run through a multi-process deburring system that results in a consistent finish and quality. “If you have four or five workers, you’re going to have four or five different parts,” explained Kenny Coe, BSMW’s sales manager. “With the ARKU deburring machine, they’re all the same every time!” TIMESAVER Finishing Machine Prior to installing the TIMESAVER Finishing Machine, BSMW employees would hand polish a #4 grain and #6 grain into material to the customer’s desired specifications. The three-step process is now completed with consistency in a single step through the automated finishing machine. BSMW employees are also freed from monotonous work and fatigue-related injuries. IN SUMMARY The benefits of integrating automation at BSMW are threefold: increasing efficiency and productivity, relieving workers from repetitive labor, and inspiring next-level strategizing and innovation. Simply put, automation is no longer “science fiction;” it’s a necessity at BSMW, helping the company reach new heights every day. Find out how BSMW’s automation strategies will benefit your next project. Request a quote online or call 920-435-8881 today. About Badger Sheet Metal Works Badger Sheet Metal Works is a custom and OEM metal fabrication partner for various industries, including food and dairy, mining, petroleum, material handling, and architecture. The company employs approximately 100 people in a custom-designed plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The facility includes a 70 by 320-foot main assembly bay with four crane rails featuring a total lifting capacity of 30 tons and a 22-foot under-hook height. Categories: Uncategorized Tags: architecture, ARKU Deburring Machine, automated laser load/unload system, automated machines, automated systems, automated technology, automation, cnc seam welder, custom metal fabrication, dairy industry fabrication, deburr edges, food industry fabrication, ISO 9001 compliance, material handling fabrication in Wisconsin, metal fabrication industry, mig welding, mining industry fabrication, OEM METAL FABRICATION PARTNER, petroleum industry, tig welding, timesaver finishing machine ← PREVIOUS POST SEARCH RECENT POSTS BSMW AUGMENTS SAFETY, QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH AUTOMATION 5 REASONS TO CONSIDER A CAREER IN WELDING BSMW SPINS 179 MILES TO SUPPORT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHEAST WISCONSIN SOLVING COMPLEX PART CHALLENGES WITH OFFLINE PROGRAMMING THE PIVOTAL PRESS BRAKE: HOW BSMW ELEVATES THE USE OF A SHOP-FLOOR STAPLE ARCHIVES NOVEMBER 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 JULY 2021 JUNE 2021 MAY 2021 MARCH 2021 JANUARY 2021 DECEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 AUGUST 2020 MAY 2020 APRIL 2020 MARCH 2020 FEBRUARY 2020 JANUARY 2020 DECEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 AUGUST 2019 JULY 2019 JUNE 2019 MAY 2019 APRIL 2019 MARCH 2019 FEBRUARY 2019 JANUARY 2019 DECEMBER 2018 NOVEMBER 2018 OCTOBER 2018 SEPTEMBER 2018 AUGUST 2018 JULY 2018 JUNE 2018 MAY 2018 APRIL 2018 MARCH 2018 FEBRUARY 2018 JANUARY 2018 DECEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2017 OCTOBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 AUGUST 2017 JULY 2017 JUNE 2017 MAY 2017 APRIL 2017 MARCH 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 JANUARY 2017 DECEMBER 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 OCTOBER 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 AUGUST 2016 JULY 2016 JUNE 2016 MAY 2016 APRIL 2016 MARCH 2016 FEBRUARY 2016 JANUARY 2016 DECEMBER 2015 NOVEMBER 2015 OCTOBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 AUGUST 2015 CONTACT INFO Address: 1410 Partnership Drive Green Bay, WI 54304 Phone: 920-435-8881 FOLLOW US RECENT POSTS BSMW Augments Safety, Quality and Productivity Through Automation NOVEMBER 04, 2021 5 Reasons to Consider a Career in Welding SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 BSMW Spins 179 Miles to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin SEPTEMBER 01, 2021 LOCATION Copyright © 2021 - Badger Sheet Metal Works Website by FIRE PIXEL & BAER