Page 18 - MetalForming December 2010

Automated Scrap-Handling System
When this metal stamper elected to build a new facility, it explored every opportunity to increase efficiencies, improve quality, increase press uptime and reduce maintenance costs. A new underground scrap conveying line filled the bill.
Canada Stampings LTD, Woodstock, Ontario, a Tier II supplier to the automotive and aerospace indus- tries as well as to the medical market the company has a rich heritage in the Cana- dian stamping industry. With its con- tinued growth, the company, founded in 1898, has changed locations several times and upgraded equipment to meet market demands and opportunities.
In 1997, company president Dave Hewitt purchased the company; in 2006 he built a new facility to handle all operations. Focused on continuous improvement and on developing qual- ity-assurance programs, all operators are fully trained in statistical-process- control methods to ensure products are shipped on time and to specifications.
Canada Stampings operates seven mechanical presses that range to 600 tons, and offers secondary machining services when required as well as auto- mated robotic welding, assembly and inspection.
“Before moving equipment into the new building,” says Hewitt, “we ana- lyzed all aspects of the operation with the major objectives being to increase
at the Core of a New Stamping Plant
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A shuffle conveyor transports carbon- steel scrap from one of the smaller presses operating at Canada Stampings (above) and deposits it onto an under- the-floor shuffle-conveyor system.
efficiencies, reduce changeover times, improve plant cleanliness and install state-of-the-art equipment wherever possible. We achieved all of those objec- tives, but one major improvement that needed additional attention was man- aging the scrap coming off our presses.
“Prior to construction of the new facility, all scrap handling was done using the combination of press opera- tors, hand trucks, forklifts and dump- sters,” Hewitt continues. “In addition, when you start moving scrap around a plant, things get dirty quickly.”