The term Industry 4.0 has become synonymous with the transformation of industry, where companies gradually digitise and automate their processes. The new technologies implemented in manufacturing allow machines, people and systems to be networked together. At Chemosvit Strojchem, the implementation of the basic elements of Industry 4.0 is also underway, along with machinery upgrades.
Smart industry in machinery production
The market analysis of technologies that enable the introduction of Industry 4.0 elements into production processes in our subsidiary has shown the potential for expanding the machining of parts with dimensions from 4 to 10 m. The machinery will thus be expanded by an automated gantry type CNC machining centre from the Czech manufacturer Strojirna Tyc that will enable us to offer our customers a complex production of welded structures with surface treatment as well.
Of course, a project of such magnitude requires significant investment. Therefore, we submitted an application for a non-repayable financial contribution from EU funds to finance it, which was approved. The implementation of the project entitled “Implementation of Smart Industry Elements in Machinery Production” started in November 2021 after the selection of the contractor and should be completed in April 2023.
Creating optimum operating conditions for the CNC centre also requires additional investments in premises and infrastructure to be carried out before assembling the machine. These include, for example, the construction of a crane runway and structural modifications for crane capacity of up to 20 t.
Parameters in accordance with Industry 4.0
The forthcoming CNC centre is designed for machining of parts on five sides with dimensions of up to 11 x 4 x 1.5 m. The milling head with continuous indexing enables high-speed machining of shape-complex surfaces.
The design of the machine with a fixed table allows us to machine parts up to 20 m long in certain cases. An important part of the machine will be the collection of technological process data, the required level of its automation and the implementation of Industry 4.0 elements.
The CNC centre will increase the machining automation level, which should reduce production lead times and increase the level of measurement of key indicators. Most importantly, it will contribute to our ability to be a supplier of complex solutions for our customers.