The metal slitter is a machine that will take sheets of 304 stainless steel coil and cut them at various widths based on the customer’s requirements. It operates by taking in material on a rotating reel, and slitting it to various widths. The material used will be threaded through two rotary arbors with steel knives, which then cut the material into narrower strips. The machine is essential to the slitting process, and many companies will improve in this area to deliver a higher quality slit material. Here is what the upgrade process entails:
Upgrading and Automation of 304 Stainless Steel Coil Slitting Equipment
One of the main reasons to upgrade the 304 stainless steel slitting machinery of a company is to serve an expanded market. Most customers will require slitting for materials that range in thickness from .012” to .250”, and for this purpose, manufacturers will use light gauge slitters. Anything above .250” will require a heavy gauge. By expanding the capacity for different thickness ranges, a company is able to either serve more clients, or better serve their existing client base. It is not uncommon for an existing customer to place a large enough order for a different gauge of material to justify the investment in new equipment. It is also common that a manufacturer may expand their range of capabilities when the existing equipment reaches the end of its life cycle.
Manufacturers may also integrate automation capabilities in order to reduce the cost of production and increase the efficiency of the machines. As an example, a manufacturer might add auxiliary equipment, such as a turret re-coiler or a leveler.
The material used during the production process might reach the slitting facility with a shape defect such as a wavy edge. The leveler is designed to flatten the material in order to meet customer requirements for flatness and remove the defect.
When the turret re-coiler is added to the operation, the time it takes to remove a finished product from the line is reduced. As the reel reaches full capacity, the turret will rotate 180º, which will then open up the second re-coiler in order to insert the second strip. This simple mechanism can create a 70% reduction in the time required by processing lines.
Improving Efficiency and Safety of 304 Stainless Steel Coil Slitting
Upgrades may also be used to improve the safety of the production process, and the options here range from physical guards to high-tech products such as laser scanners and interlocks. Cost effectiveness is taken into account with each upgrade, so ideally, the price of the equipment will be offset by the increase in efficiency and the reduction in liabilities for the manufacturer. Advanced equipment also comes with the benefit of being more ergonomic. This improves both the efficiency of the equipment and its safety. By working with more user-friendly equipment, employees are faster, safer, and more satisfied with their employment.
And since we’re talking about cost effectiveness, we have to touch on the subject of throughput. Newer equipment is much more efficient at production, offering improvements of up to 100% over older production lines. This helps reduce labor hours, increase capacity, and improve production speed.
Are you Interested in 304 Stainless Steel Slitting Services?
By keeping our slitting equipment up to date, we are able to provide better products at a lower cost. If you are currently interested in metal slitting services, whether it be for stainless steel variations or aluminum, get in touch with us today. We also offer metallurgical testing and metallurgical lab work services for our clients if they are interested. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!