Lean manufacturing design has been around for decades. Still, as consultant, it surprises me how often industrial laser layouts in factories, manufacturers and even specialised laser cutting facilities don’t follow simple rules.
One of the basic rules of machine placement in lean manufacturing is that materials should follow the flow of work. Let’s face it: No matter how big your materials are, you are NOT going to move a 20-ton laser system around to cut it! Laser placement in your shop is vital because it is the mountain in the factory or the elephant in the room.
Yet time and time again, I see laser systems placed in the factory corner. There, materials come in and out at the same pinch point, creating a bottleneck and slowing down production.
Ideal Laser Placement
When considering your factory’s laser placement, you need to consider the following:
- where is available ventilation?
- laser systems require high voltage. Where is your direct power source?
- laser placement must be near gas tanks and coolant systems. Leave room!
- where does the raw material (typically steel) come into the factory?
- where is the material stored? (It should be near the laser system)
- is there a clear (forklift) path for materials to “flow” to the laser bed?
- what size are the final parts, and where do they need to go?
- does your laser placement give a clear (forklift) path to where the parts will be delivered?
- can you quickly and easily get rid of scrap metal from your lasers?
Laser Placement Consulting from LMG
During LMG’s nearly 30 years in the laser maintenance and repair business, we’ve seen hundreds of laser placements and layouts. Because of our experience, as well as our training in lean manufacturing, we’re experts in consulting on laser placement.
To configure your factory floor for optimum efficiency and flow around your laser system, contact LMG Founder and Chief Technology Consultant Scott Kiser directly at 423-593-7206, or email Laser Maintenance Group at LaserSolutions@Comcast.net
If you need metal parts laser cut, but don’t have the laser systems or capacity to cut your own, contact LMG’s affiliate company, Innovative Laser & Design.
