Quality Checks Laid Out on the Table
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A manufacturer of commercial mowers for the global market has found a better, more efficient way of ensuring quality control at the component level of its processes.
Trimax Mowing Systems, headquartered in New Zealand, has moved away from standard steel work tables and now uses the demmeler fixturing table system for better output.
According to Design Technician of the company, Mr Keith Mabey, the more you use the demmeler system the more valuable you realise it is.
Before investing in the demmeler system, we used general types of steel tables that looked quite flat but in reality were causing variations in tooling and component positioning," said Mr Mabey.
"But that was a long time ago and in order to take our business forward we looked for a solution that would give us the accuracy and standardisation this company expects as it grows its markets. "By sourcing the demmeler fixturing tables, we gained that higher accuracy and now use them for all tooling and several product manufacturing processes.
"When manufacturing our large 10.4m X-WAMTM mower we use it for building all the sub-frames with an exceptional level of accuracy without the need for dedicated tooling.
"The demmeler fixturing tables are regularly used for Quality checking production machines, and to inspect and develop methods of manufacture to increase the level of accuracy in finished products. "It adds significant accuracy to our tooling processes as well as production, its modular design providing usable flat surfaces and datums everywhere."
Trimax Mowing Systems is a privately owned company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets tractor powered grass mowing equipment.
Its main line items are rotary and flail mowers. Automation and robotic and technology are increasingly used in the manufacturing process to ensure consistently high quality levels.
Continuous process improvement and innovation in mower design and production - in which the demmeler has been critical - is keeping Trimax on the cutting edge of mower technology and expanding its global markets.
Even though its large mower (the X-WAMTM 10.4m) has only been on the market for one season, it is already being used in turf farms around the globe.
The demmeler tooling and fixturing tables, supplied by Australian company Leussink Engineering, have been invaluable in reducing initial tooling costs, increasing accuracy and reducing the amount of space required for tooling.
In the past, tooling for a product the size of the X-WAMTM would require three or four significant jigs and a lot of yard space.
Leussink's demmeler brand is suitable for any industry where accurate and rapid assembly methods are required and wherever economic positioning, clamping, tacking and welding is necessary.
A typical demmeler system features a five-sided table with a regular pattern of bores located across the top and around the sides. Table sizes range from 1000mm x 1000mm to 2000mm x 4000mm and have a weld spray coating so that any wayward welding spatter will not stick to them. This modular fixture also serves as the first in-process quality check for all of the loose pieces.
Leussink has a national market providing most industries with all types of engineering services, prototyping, emergency repair work, machining and manufacturing, welding and design engineering.
Its diverse markets range from small, repetitive parts manufacture through to design, manufacture and repair work for small and large items to the mining sector, railways and dockyards, production plants, construction, agriculture, automotive sector, steel, engineering, maintenance and public works.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Jason Leussink
Leussink: 16-18 Doyle Ave, Unanderra, NSW 2526
Tel: 02 4260 7777
email: Jason@leussink.com.au
web: www.leussink.com.au
