Posted 12th Nov 2014

Precision turned parts subcontractor, Qualiturn, has completed the automation of its Hertford production facility with the addition of a computer-controlled system for storing and retrieving bar.

Supplied by Couzens Storage Solutions, the 7.5 metre high tower holds stock from the time it is delivered until it is loaded into the bar magazines feeding the company’s 18 sliding-head and fixed-head CNC lathes.

The system contains 65 trays, each of which is capable of accommodating six different types of three-metre bar weighing up to 500 kg. Machine operators access the store via a fingerprint recognition system, allowing a high degree of security when the valuable stock is being accessed.

Commented Qualiturn’s managing director, Nick Groom, “The store gives us traceability when allocating bar for a contract in the same way that our Autocrib tool store does when assigning cutters. Both stores are hooked into our PSL Datatrack production control system, which records the consumables used against a unique order number for the job.

"Apart from the Star and Miyano lathes themselves, everything in our works including order processing, workshop scheduling, quality control and finance is now connected to the host computer, resulting in a paperless production environment. It allows us to achieve levels of efficiency for just-in-time deliveries that would otherwise be impossible with around 100 set-ups a week."

Despite its obvious benefits, installation of an automated bar store is an unusual investment for a turned parts subcontractor in the UK. Qualiturn’s system holds all of the stock that was previously kept in conventional racking, with room to spare, although fast-moving material will continue to be held outside the automated store if it is to be used on the day of delivery.

press release

(Draft: 21/May/08)
On behalf of: Qualiturn Products Ltd,
18 Merchant Drive, Mead Lane Industrial Estate, Hertford, Herts, SG13 7AY
Tel: 01992 584499. Fax: 01992 551726.
Contact: Nick Groom, Managing Director.

Issued by: THE RIGHT IMAGE Ltd,
PO Box 42, Twickenham, TW1 1BQ.
Tel: 020 8891 0603.
E-mail: therightimage@aol.com
Contact: Chris Wright.
Release no: 1005(GN)

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