Page 5 - MetalForming July/August 2009

Serving those who create precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes.
Cover Story/Tooling Technology
30 Right-Sized Tooling for a Down-Sized Economy
Office-furniture manufacturer Kimball Office models plant-layout modifications after the Japanese-developed Chaku-Chaku process—single-piece manufacturing in which a worker takes a part from one workstation to the next and sets up and operates each machine from beginning to end.
Features
14 A Successful Switch from Large Parts Bins to Small Totes Sensor-outfitted conveying systems keep productivity high as the Polaris Industries stamping facility engineers a transition from large-batch production using big parts containers to low-volume runs and small plastic totes.
16 Ignoring Conveyor PM Jeopardizes the Entire Pressroom Stampers are advised to develop a conveyor preventive-maintenance program encompassing regularly scheduled inspection and lubrication. Preplanning for service and parts saves time and money and ensures that critical maintenance items will not be subject to budget-slashing routines.
20 A Change in Stamping Lube
...exemplifies this automotive-stamping plant’s goal to be stewards of efficiency and the environment.
22 Keys to Success When Launching a Transfer Job
As the countdown to a new transfer project commences, follow the guidelines outlined here to ensure a successful launch, meeting or exceeding goals for throughput and quality.
In July, MetalForming published its first-ever digital online-only issue, with exclusive content covering the expanding alternative-energy and medical industries. Features include:
• Wind and Solar Energy—Where are the Opportunities for Metalformers? • Do You Have What it Takes to Move into the Medical Market?
Visit www.metalformingmagazine.com/digital-magazine/2009/07. Commentaries
July/August 2009 — Volume 43 — Number 7
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Editorial ........................5
Flexibility is Today’s Competitive Advantage
Brad F. Kuvin
TheScienceofForming ............28
What Is Yield Strength?
Stuart Keeler
Tooling by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Pressure Strippers—Part 1
Peter Ulintz
MetalformingElectronics............38
Die Protection on a Tight Budget, Part 1
George Keremedjiev
YouandTheLaw .................40
Changes to Cobra Based on the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 Douglas B. M. Ehlke
www.metalformingmagazine.com
HOT off the PRESS
Daily News for the Industry
BlackmanonTaxes................42
Irv Didn’t Invent Taxes,
Just 227 Ways to Beat Them, Legally Irving L. Blackman
The Business of Metalforming. . . View Online The Economy: Are You Ready for a Boom?
Michael Bleau
Departments
News Fronts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 TechUpdate ....................10 SafetyUpdate ...................12 Tooling Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 New Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ReaderAction ...................48
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ABOUT THE COVER: The new Chaku-Chaku (single-piece manufacturing process flow) line at Kimball Office features machines arranged sequentially so that one person can oper- ate the entire line. The right-sized equipment processes a newly inserted part unattended while automatically unloading the previously processed part, freeing the operator to perform other activities while the part is being processed. Read how the line improves flexibility and easily accommodates changes in production volumes beginning on page 30.
UNITED WE STAND
www.metalformingmagazine.com
METALFORMING / JULY/AUGUST 2009 3
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