Horizontal numerical control machines for stone, marble and granite processing
The numerical control machines for stone processing coming 15 years ago on the stone market have been a revolution, because thanks to these machines it could be possible
-To carry out in an automatic way very long or complex processing only possible with high qualified operators
-To partially solve the manpower problem
-To propose more profitable works (OG edge, slanted planes..) to the customers
-To increase productivity (the machines being able to work without an operator for night..)
-To improve working conditions (dust, water..)
Technostone from Bimatech
But they have brought other problems.
-The manpower was not really solved, because a good cnc operator is not easy to engage
-The cnc operator is often the only one able to drive the machine. In case of illness or if he leaves the company the machine stop and there is the training cost for a new operator.
-Some stone processing (slanted plane..) can be difficult to carry out on the machine and need a manual finition.
-If the machine is out of order the production stops.
-The maintenance costs are high.
-The polishing quality is less good (the machine work with peripheral wheels and let lines on the edge)
The cnc machines for stone are able to carry out everything. For the most important cnc machines suppliers the technology is now reliable and the most important evolutions are done
The choice is huge. In front of a so important offer to choose the right cnc machine (technical performances, budget, service..) is really difficult.
The first question is to carefully decide what the machine has to carry out (maximum dimensions and stone thickness, number of pieces, usual kind of realisations....). What is the reason why you need such a machine? It is from this list that you are going to be able to determine its technical
characteristics.
After you can add the job it could be interesting to propose to your customers (how many potential turnover, how many pieces...). This can give an idea about the option required.
In front of such an offer it is easy to be tempted by a cnc machine able to carry out (during the demonstration done by the supplier operator) marvellous things. But this marvellous cnc machine can be not the more efficient (speed, software, service..) to carry out the work you have every day, the 95% for which you need this machine.
Moreover there are also the additionnal purchasing cost and the surface in your workshop.
There are mainly 3 different machines available dependinf the axes number.
-The 3 axes (XYZ) able to do more than 80% of the processing need. (cutting with milling cutter, internal and external edging and polishing, writing, some engraving)
-The 4 axes (XYZ and C, axe able to drive the working angle for axe Z)
The C axe is useful for polished and more sophisticated engraving, for cutting with a cup disk or with a flat disk, whatever the angle, for cup wheels polishing...
-The 5 axes able to carry out other complex jobs.
The first decision is to choose the axe number.
Be careful. In certain cases additionnal axes are available (options). But they need very often to change the spindle (cost for the spindle and for the technician intervention)
The second decision is the maximal working dimension you need.
Be careful. Some suppliers mention the maximal axes mouvements and no the maximal workable dimensions.
Once these 2 points decided you can start to study which machines you are going to have a look more carefully.
Other important points:
-Assistance
It is a key point to have a machine working in good conditions.
-During cnc machine installation
How many day are included (training days and not training+installation+adjustement+repairing). If it is your first cnc machine or a really different cnc machine it could be interesting to cut the training in several waves to better "digest" the informations.
It is better to have the training in your workshop with your machine, instead of the supplier's office.
-During the first months after cnc machine arrival.
An operator, even efficient needs several month to control a cnc machine
-Repairing
The main problems which stop a cnc machine in the beginning are due to operator's mistakes in programming.
It is decisive to have a quick and efficient assistance by phone from the cnc machine supplier to discover the mistake and start again the machine.
You have to understand how the assistance supplier is organized (how many field technicians, how many office technicians, how many machines installed in your market..). It is decisive to have minimum one technician in office to answer and to solve these problems by phone.
A lot of suppliers for cnc machines for stone are small.
-Options
List of options available during machine purchase and also after purchase.
These options and the technical solutions (for example to carry out the slanted planes for kitchen top) are going to help you to choose the right machine.
-Programming
Be careful. The supplier's technicians doing the demonstrations are often choosen because they have a big experience and know very well the software. They have to impress the potential customer about how the software is easy to use.
-Loading, unloading, machine preparation...
You have to be very careful on the compulsory operations before the machine working. This times when the machines does'nt work, cost. The shorter there are the better will be your productivity.
-loading, unloading
-Work from template
-Wheel wearing adjustement
-....
-Using and maintenance costs
-hourly technician cost
-trip technician cost
-closed network for water or not.
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