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Champ stays on top with TRUMPF equipment |
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 by Jerry Cook
No one can accuse Champ Industries, Winnipeg, MB of not recognizing a good thing when they see it which is why the custom metal fabricator has stayed with TRUMPF equipment since installing its first TRUMPF laser system seven years ago.
“The quality and the reliability of the TRUMPF machines (comprised) 80%
of our decision to stay with (that line of) equipment. The remaining
20% is that TRUMPF has such a good reputation in the marketplace.
TRUMPF is similar to Champ in that we both believe that a (close)
relationship with the customer is critical,” says Ryan McClelland,
sales and purchasing manager with Champ Industries.
Since installing its first TRUMPF machine-a Trumatic 3030 laser
system-seven years ago, Champ has installed a number of other TRUMPF
machines at its facility in Winnipeg including a Trumatic L4050 laser
system, a Trumatic 2020R turret punch press, two V Series press brakes
(V85 and V200), and a Trumatic 6000L laser/punch combination machine.
In addition, the company has installed a 4030 laser system and a V130
Series press brake at its recently opened facility in Jamestown, North
Dakota. Another 2020 punch press was installed in the Jamestown
facility early this year. In total, Champ has invested between $5 to $6
million in TRUMPF equipment.
Champ, which began operations approximately 30 years ago, has 85
employees at its 58,000 sq. ft. facility in Winnipeg. The firm has
another 18 employees based at its 10,000 sq. ft. facility in Jamestown.
The company also anticipates it will be moving to a new 30,000 sq. ft.
facility this year.
The firm specializes in custom metal fabrication for various original
equipment manufacturers in a variety of markets including
transportation, agricultural, commercial, health care and more. The
company provides an extensive range of services including laser
cutting, punching, bending (both sheet and tube), welding, and assembly
services.
Champ, which is ISO 9001-2000 certified, works with a variety of flat
sheet materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Typically, the firm is dealing with material thicknesses ranging from
3/8 in. to 20 ga. In general, the company’s part runs range from 10 to
50 pieces.
According to Lise Baker, general manager of Champ Industries, the 6000L
laser/punch combination machine including a SheetMaster automation
module is the newest TRUMPF machine that Champ has installed. All of
the TRUMPF equipment was supplied by Advanced Fabricating Machinery
Inc., Mississauga, ON (afmcanada.com).
“We installed the 6000L in 2007 to add production capacity and
additional process capabilities to our operation. At the time, we had
inklings of a large new contract coming on board and we needed more
capacity to handle the work,” she explains.
Adds Baker, “Also, we were looking towards growth and the 6000L
laser/punch machine would attract larger customers and allow us to
become more efficient and therefore more competitive.”
Because Champ is fabricating many different families of products in low
volumes, enhancing production flexibility was a critical goal in
installing the 6000L laser/punch combination machine.
“We do approximately 12,000 different part numbers and reduced setup
time was a major factor (in installing the 6000L). With the 6000L
laser/punch combination machine we have the best of both worlds-the
speed of punching the holes as well as laser cutting,” says McClelland.
The Trumatic 6000L laser/punch combination machine features a 3,200
watt laser and 30 ton punching capacity. Standard contours such as
round or rectangular holes are produced in one stroke by the punching
unit, as are threads or other forms. Delicate, intricate inside and
outside contours are laser cut with smooth, burr-free edges. The
Trumatic 6000L offers a maximum hit rate of 900 strokes/min. In
marking, hit rates as high as 2,800 strokes/min. are attained. Since
all tools can be rotated, tool requirements are reduced to a minimum.
Threads are produced at a C-axis rotation speed of 330 rpm.
The 6000L has provided Champ with a variety of benefits, notes Baker.
“Because of the machine’s ability to do both laser cutting and punching
along with other functions such as tapping and countersinking, it has
definitely led to increased efficiencies and reduced costs.”
Adds McClelland “We see installing the 6000L as a move towards the
future giving our customers different design options and competitive
pricing.”
The TRUMPF laser/punch combination machine has also enabled Champ to
eliminate secondary operations on certain parts. “With the 6000L, we
have been able to take different operations out of the process. For
example, you don’t have to deburr the part after it is done on the
laser,” says McClelland.
In addition, he points out that the 6000L’s SheetMaster automation
system has also improved the surface quality of the material being used
because of the significant reduction in material handling.
According to McClelland, because of Champ’s previous experience with
punching, training on the new 6000L unit was a relatively simple and
straightforward process. “There was a bit of a learning curve on the
automation side but training was fairly easy.”
champindustries.ca
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