English
At Garantell, we build our own machines. While they don’t have fancy names—only numbers—I will talk about the birth of machine number 104 in this blog. Or, if you prefer a name, you can call it Al.
Building a machine is obviously a complex operation, but I will try to describe the different steps. As manufacturers, we always want to improve production processes. That’s always our starting point. So, what’s new with this machine?
The machine resets automatically without manual setting times. It can make all the different mesh deck varieties without setup time. When changing raw materials, it does not need to stop. So it facilitates order-unique manufacturing. It can run around the clock, every day of the week, without interruption. For replacing worn-out parts, it will need a stop. We are in the business of safety solutions after all.
We build all our machines ourselves, from design over manufacturing parts to assembly. There are many advantages to it. Garantell's products are unique. So having control over the production process is key to us. Furthermore, having everyone under the same roof means that communication is quick and smooth, from sales and product development to assemblers and machine operators. If any conditions change, we can quickly adapt the machine, which is good for the customer and us!
The different steps to building a machine:
After receiving the requirement specification from product development on what kind of product the machine should produce, we sit down and think about how we can build the most efficient machine possible. From studying previous machines that manufacture shelves, we determine that we are losing time due to setup between different models. In the new machine, we want to avoid this. This means we must design a machine that can switch between models automatically. We review every part of the machine flow and ensure that every step is done as efficiently as possible.
When the construction design is complete, it’s time to manufacture the parts.
Since our machines are a unique build, they mostly consist of unique details to produce our products. We have our own department that manufactures these parts. The parts we cannot make ourselves, for example, large details, are produced by companies in the surrounding area.
When the parts are manufactured, it’s time to assemble them. It’s essential to keep track of the parts so that everything ends up in the right place and can be assembled. Full transparency, the programming that checks the machine and electricity is done by an external consultant who’s with us daily.
As a little girl living in the Polish countryside, I was a very good sales person in the school’s candy shop. Of course part of the profit disappeared in my mouth, but that is a pleasant detail … And now I am in a completely other line of business, mesh products, a great learning experience. However, occasionally I feel like the little candy seller again, as one my most favourite things to do is to go to the factory. To me it feels like the excitement of a school trip, or even more, I feel like a character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the wonderful book by Roald Dahl. There is so much to see, and every time I discover something new. So today, I want to take you along on a trip to my favourite magic place, the one where our mesh panels are created.
We have recently installed a completely new powder coating line in our factory, in which objects of up to 2000 x 3000 x 700 mm can be powder coated in any RAL colour. The staff in charge have 50 years of experience in powder coating. This new investment means that we now can offer you an even better and faster service than before – a way of simplifying everyday life.
How many risks are there in the workplace and does a totally safe workplace actually exist? Is it enough to have warning tape on forklifts, should there be specific lines on the floor indicating where forklifts may drive, or should ceiling lights be illuminated to ensure safety?
.jpg?width=68&name=Simon-C-L%20(1).jpg "Simon Stacke")
