Page 17 - MetalForming-Jul-2018-issue
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 Over the years, Link has teamed with TCR to provide its OEM customers with the automation necessary for stay-
ing competitive. Greenheck is a good example. Founded as a sheetmetal shop by Bob and Bernie Greenheck in 1947, the company has grown steadily as an HVAC innovator with increasing annual sales and
market share.
Since bringing together its
tool and die and stamping operations 20 years ago (tool and die had been outsourced), Greenheck has relied heavily on Link and TCR to address its increasing automation needs. Today, Greenheck’s four stamp- ing presses are equipped with Link press and automation con-
trollers. This provides the OEM with advanced diagnostics; press controls for safety; fea- tures such as multiple die-pro- tection channels and program- mable limit-switch channels to enhance productivity; and the ability to automate and store production setups and actions formerly performed manually,
as well as touchscreen terminals was great with the company’s older press and its newer Aida small gap-frame press. Another press—an Aida 200T press custom-built for Greenheck— came with the OmniLink press and process controller already installed. A newer Aida 330T straightside press already had good diagnostics, so it did
 Greenheck
Recognized
for Attracting and
Retaining Young
Talent
Greenheck Fan’s efforts to develop young talent through its ongoing col- lege co-op and internship program has helped gain the Schofield, WI, maker of HVAC equipment a reputation as a stellar workplace for young profession- als. Greenheck’s program provides stu- dents at four-year colleges or universi- ties with hands-on educational oppor- tunities as they work with experienced product-development, test, application, manufacturing and controls/electrical engineers.
Greenheck’s commitment to employee development has earned it recognition as one of Wisconsin’s Top 10 Best Places to Work for Young Professionals. At an awards presenta- tion in May, it received its fourth con- secutive Bubbler Award, presented by NEWaukee, a Milwaukee-based organ- ization that focuses on attracting and retaining talent in the state of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Award criteria, evaluated by a statewide panel, include competitive compensa- tion and benefit packages, opportuni- ties for advancement, professional development programs, community engagement, and access to leadership.
This [award] is a testament to our ongoing efforts and investments to attract, develop and retain employees by creating a workplace environment that supports and encourages employee personal and professional growth through leadership and career development, training opportunities, special events, and wellness pro- grams,” says Kathy Drengler, Greenheck vice president of human resources.
 Link System’s 5100 control, available with advanced diagnostics, keeps a running log (several days) of reasons for press stoppages. The informa- tion allows for quick identification of faults and machine issues, even by less experienced techni- cians.
systems integrator in Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Link Systems, a Nashville, TN-based supplier of press-automation controls and monitors; and Greenheck Fan, Schoefield, WI, maker of air-movement and control equipment, including fans, dampers, louvers, kitchen ventilation hoods, and energy-recovery and make- up-air units.
Joe D’Acquisto, production super- visor at Greenheck, says that as it becomes more difficult to find employ- ees, the push for greater automation is ramping up. Agreeing with D’Acquis- to is Todd Wenzel, owner of TCR. “With fewer people doing more, smarter con- trols are necessary for companies to remain competitive and profitable,” he says.
“As industry needs evolve, so, too, must the controls technology,” adds Lance Curtis, vice president of sales at Link.
such as adjusting passline height and shut height, thus enabling consistency, quality and faster cycle times.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve and reduce setup time,” says D’Acquisto. “Anything we can do to eliminate steps helps. On larger setups, we can reduce setup time by 15 min.
“With Link’s die-protection channels constantly monitoring our equipment,” he continues, “our operators can per- form other tasks, such as making sure that the next die is ready for the next setup. With dies producing multiple parts, what the programmable die pro- tection provides in terms of monitoring parts and scrap evacuations is very important.”
Game-Changing Diagnostics
A game-changer for Greenheck has been diagnostics. According to Wenzel, the need for press and process control
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