Safety and efficiency were non-negotiable. Faced with growing operational challenges, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty industrial components turned to Automation Solutions Inc. for a transformation that would protect employees while driving productivity forward. What resulted was an advanced automation system that more than doubled output while creating a safer work environment.
The last brass padlock manufacturer based in the U.S., Wilson Bohannan is a seventh-generation business located in Marion, Ohio. In business for 165 years, the company produces more than 40 solid brass padlock models for a variety of industries. To help maintain their longstanding recognition for American-made craftsmanship and quality, they’ve relied on automation for 15 years. But when the operations team was challenged to double output within the already fully optimized footprint of their manufacturing floor, they turned to FANUC Authorized System Integrator Acme Manufacturing for support.
Faced with surging product sales, the manufacturer of sustainable flexible packaging Polykar recognized that their existing operations couldn’t scale efficiently to meet growing customer demand. The solution was simple: automation. The goal was to integrate a robotic system that would guarantee employee satisfaction and retention while increasing output. Polykar enlisted FANUC Authorized System Integrator Vention to help them.
Great Lakes Stainless, a Northern Michigan custom metal fabricator, tackled the challenge of fabricating a curved stainless-steel part for an escalator platform, which initially took three hours using manual MIG and TIG welding. By partnering with Serra Laser Center, they implemented a FANUC CRX-25iA cobot with the LightWELD portable laser welding solution. This automation reduced production time by 95%—from three hours to 15 minutes—resulting in a smoother finish and higher throughput.
Springfield, Ohio-based metal stamping and assembly manufacturer Pentaflex specializes in heavy gauge, highly formed components that service the commercial truck industry. Their industry, like many, has struggled in recent years to find consistent labor that supports the manufacturing of axle and brake components, a critical safety part for the heavy truck industry.
When their aging automation system required replacement, Pentaflex turned to JR Automation for a system upgrade that reduced their reliance on labor, increased output, and ensured consistent quality parts.
Kenny’s Candy and Confections—part of KLN Family Brands—was operating without automation when they reached out to packaging experts and FANUC Authorized System Integrator Delkor Systems. In an effort to increase productivity, the company worked with Delkor to develop and install automated lines, achieving higher packaging rate goals while at the same time creating more valuable jobs for employees.
A printing press and packaging company located in Manitoba, Canada, Friesens produces products for top publishers, schools and manufacturers globally. In the growing market of publishing, the company faced the challenge of remaining competitive while keeping margins intact. An employee-owned organization, they set an audacious goal to double revenue with their existing headcount. To tackle their goal, they turned to Innovair Automation.
Recently, automaker General Motors identified an opportunity to enhance the efficiency and consistency of their top-coat finishing process, which relied on manual vehicle paint inspections. The solution was the 3M™ Finesse-it™ Robotic Paint RepairSystem, the first of its kind on a moving automotive line, which was integrated and installed by FANUC Authorized System Integrator Inovision. The automated system uses advanced software by 3M and Inovision to efficiently sand and polish automotive finishes using the AI-driven SMARTInspect™ paint inspection system to ensure precision and reliability. The result is a cost-effective solution that delivers highly consistent results.
For more than 40 years, Life Line Emergency Vehicles has been manufacturing highly customized ambulances in Sumner, Iowa. With a focus on quality, durability and safety, this father-and-son-founded business has grown into a large team of employee-owners, many of whom have served as Emergency Medical Technicians themselves.
Facing low unemployment rates, Life Line has struggled to find reliable labor in recent years. This challenge led the company to seek out an automation solution for one of its most physically demanding tasks—the sanding and finishing of large ambulances.
Charter Wire automated a strenuous manual finishing process by partnering with FANUC ASI Acme Manufacturing. They implemented a FANUC R-2000iC/270F Robot to grind steel wire, improving finish quality, reducing scrap rates, and enhancing employee satisfaction by removing a hazardous task. This automation also allowed the company to handle more business demand.
CTC partnered with Quickmill to create a large friction stir welding machine using FANUC’s CNC and servo motors. This machine can weld thick steel plates in one pass, adjust tool height in real-time, and capture data, enhancing CTC’s manufacturing capabilities and expanding friction stir welding in the US.
Founded in 1979, Groupe TAQ is a not-for-profit organization in Quebec City that offers quality jobs and social integration to people living with disabilities. To reduce the physical burden on employees and contribute to their job satisfaction, the company recently sought out FANUC Authorized System Integrator Premier Tech and their cobot automation system—named TOMA—to support the facility’s most demanding task: palletizing.
Hutchison Inc. (HW Brand) has been in business for more than 70 years, manufacturing fencing, wire, baling and building material products for livestock and equine. But it wasn’t until recently – when a workforce shortage made keeping up with demand difficult – that the company considered automation. New to robotics and navigating a challenging welding production line, Hutchison turned to Iowa-based Colewell Automation to develop an integrated robotic solution that not only improved consistently high quality but increased production and reduced worker overtime.
Latham Pools is the largest manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Even though the facility had not previously used automation, the company sought out a robotic assembly process in response to labor shortages and rising costs. This has created an efficient, less labor-reliant solution that frees up employees to do other tasks as well as helps the company keep costs low and remain profitable.
Advanced Drainage Systems, a pipe and water management solutions company based in Hilliard, Ohio, ran into several challenges when bringing their 10-foot-long septic stack pipes to the irrigation market. Difficult to handle and manufactured on a line that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the strapping and palletizing of plastic pipe was contributing to personnel safety issues, and system downtime. To remedy this, FANUC’s Authorized System Integrator JR Automation developed an integrated robotic solution to fully automate the cumbersome process and significantly reduce employee risk.
Hipshot Products, a leading guitar and bass hardware manufacturer in Interlaken, NY, faced ongoing labor and production challenges in their polishing operation. They collaborated with FANUC’s Authorized System Integrator, Adaptec Solutions, to integrate a robotic solution to polish their patented Bass Xtender key. This automation improved consistency, quality, and eliminated the need for manual operation.
The Will-Burt Co. uses FANUC automated welding robots integrated by FANUC ASI Weldbot to address welder shortages, control costs, improve welds and stay competitive in a global marketplace.
Millennium Recycling, founded in 1999 in Sioux Falls, SD, is a leading material recovery facility (MRF). Faced with a labor shortage and increased business demands, they partnered with Waste Robotics, a FANUC Authorized System Integrator. Waste Robotics not only delivered an efficient automation solution, but they also demonstrated adaptability, responsiveness, and an unwavering commitment to keeping Millennium Recycling’s operations running smoothly.
Seibel Modern, headquartered in Lancaster, NY is a leading supplier of industrial and custom welding services. Recently, they secured a significant contract to weld fencing for a major bridge project. To enhance efficiency, they turned to FANUC’s Authorized System Integrator, Properly Works. The CRX-10iA/L welding cobot plays a pivotal role, and a graphically illustrated flagging system ensures production stays on track. Notably, touch-up work decreased by 50%, and Seibel Modern looks forward to future automation projects with Properly Works.
Vickers Engineering, based in New Troy, Michigan, is a leader in precision machining and assembly, committed to using technology to push the boundaries of manufacturing. Vickers first implemented FANUC robots in 2006 to relieve operators from doing a physically demanding operation. From that point, Vickers and its team fully engaged in automation to take on high-speed and repetitive tasks that has helped them achieve production goals and grow the business. Vickers recently entered a new chapter in their automation journey by integrating a FANUC CRX with a ROBODRILL machining center. This new technology has quickly helped Vickers improve efficiency and reliability in their machine tending area.
MDS Manufacturing Company Inc., a fabricator based in Parkston, SD has transformed its operations, elevating part quality, boosting output, and achieving precise lead time predictions—all attributed to the implementation of Acieta’s cutting-edge FastARC® 2HT welding solution that includes a FANUC arc welding robot. By automating sub-assembly welds, employees can now focus on more intricate tasks. The FastARC 2HT has not only met but exceeded MDS’ expectations.
KAD Models acquired two automated CNC machine tending systems using the FANUC M-710i/50 and R-1000/100F robots to ensure fast turnaround times for prototype manufacturing.
St. James Winery, a prominent wine producer in the U.S., faced growth challenges due to increased demand and a shortage of available labor. Seeking a solution, they turned to MMCI Automation, a FANUC Authorized System Integrator. MMCI swiftly designed and installed an automated solution featuring a FANUC M-410iC palletizing robot. The system now efficiently fulfills orders, allowing employees to focus on higher-skilled tasks.
Magic Valley Produce, based in Paul, ID has been a leading producer of potatoes for six decades. Labor challenges on its palletizing line prompted the company to explore automation. With limited floorspace for robotics, they turned to the system integration experts at WeAssistBots, a FANUC Authorized System Integrator, to design a solution to palletize heavy cases of potatoes.
Diamond Doors, based in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada produces bi-fold doors for a variety of industries including aviation, agriculture, and industrial markets. After years of producing door hinges offshore, the company wanted a solution to bring production in-house.
Green Hydraulic Power uses FANUC’s CNC and servos to power an environmentally friendly system that delivers hydraulic pressure only when needed, which generates less heat, uses up to 70% less energy, reduces noise emissions by up to 20 decibels and is Industry 4.0 ready.
Smoker Craft, a family-owned and operated manufacturer of recreational boats, partnered with Guide Engineering, a FANUC Authorized System Integrator, to implement a new robotic system to weld pontoon components and assemblies.
Nature Fresh Farms, one of North America’s leading greenhouse farms, recently implemented an automated solution to harvest tomatoes. Now, with the help of robotics and AI, they can meet increasing customer orders and overcome labor challenges.
Significant growth prompted Pitts & Spitts to consider automation to produce its industry-leading line of smokers and grills. Today, with the help of a FANUC CRX Cobot, Pitts & Spitts is able to meet production volumes and looks forward to implementing more automation to accommodate future expansion.
FANUC CNCs, motors
and drives helped a domestic machine builder supply equipment critical for Japan’s
hydrogen energy strategy.
Over the past several years, demand for Lion Electric’s products has skyrocketed. To keep pace with their rapid growth, they partnered with JR Automation, a Hitachi group company, for an automated solution that would allow them to quickly scale up their manufacturing capabilities.
Bigger Romi Machine Tool with upgraded FANUC controls allows a family-owned machine shop to please customers and expand their business.
After years of contemplating automation, Performance Composites, Inc. in Compton, California, looked to GrayMatter Robotics for a robotic solution to sand fiberglass and composite products used for the transportation industry - primarily buses, trains, and trucks.
Wood product manufacturer uses robots to boost quality and throughput.
Rapid growth and retiring employees prompted Zippy Ice to consider using automation for its ice packaging operations. They turned to MMCI Automation, a FANUC Authorized System Integrator, to provide an automated solution to palletize bags of ice.
Increasing growth prompted FloraCraft to innovate its manual packaging lines.
They partnered with Brenton, (ProMach product brand) a leader in designing and
manufacturing integrated end of line packaging systems to automate its
processing and packaging lines.
Automated machine tending FANUC ROBODRILLs with FANUC robots
helped boost production and efficiency during a labor shortage.
WKW North America, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, selected Shape Process Automation to provide an automated solution to help streamline and accelerate their production processes.
FANUC Robots have helped Transocean maximize efficiency, improve consistency, and move workers out of potentially dangerous Red Zone areas.
Athena Achieves Lights-Out Production with FANUC CRX Cobot
United Grinding began upgrading their customers’ legacy controls using FANUC’s Panel i Replacement Program.
TEMCO Tool began using FANUC’s MT-Linki for automated machine tool data collection and analysis. After just a few months of installing MT-Linki, production throughputs have nearly doubled and the company is now able to make more bids and gain more business.
The Kentucky manufacturer, STOBER Drives, uses FANUC IoT Software and CNC training tools to keep its operations competitive.
Global Cap Manufacturer uses FANUC Robots to Solve Labor Challenges and Boost OEE.
Wilson Manufacturing has drastically improved the precision and efficiency of their sharpening processes with a custom-built automated solution from FANUC.
Vickers Engineering has leveraged automation to enhance their processes and become a competitive powerhouse in the precision machining industry.
When KYOCERA wanted to rebuild their older machines, they tapped United Grinding, who equipped them with FANUC controls and robots to improve their precision, productivity, and processing speeds.
Tasteful Selections leverages FANUC robotics for a cleaner, safer, and more productive work environment.
MIP utilizes FANUC controls to power a 12-axis machine that produces consistent, precision tool parts, increasing productivity by more than 300%.
Microtrol Engineering turned to FANUC when tasked with retrofitting the Cincinnati Milacron machines used by Triumph Aerospace. With new FANUC controls, Triumph has experienced reduced processing times, minimized risk of errors and damages, and improved production.
Lincoln Park Boring Co. invested in a new boring-mill machine from Fives with a FANUC control to hold tighter tolerances and accommodate rapid travel rates for faster machining.
With the integration of welding cobots from FANUC, Last Arrow Manufacturing has achieved higher profits, improved employee satisfaction, and more flexibility in their production.
Kemco’s new automated process using a FANUC robot to tend three machine tools equipped with FANUC CNCs increased efficiency and production resulting in new business.
Integrating FANUC robots into JTEKT’s production lines increased their productivity and efficiency while reducing waste and labor needs for optimal performance.
A longtime partner of FANUC, General Motors uses FANUC technology to automate strenuous processes, improve quality control, and increase productivity in the plug insertion process. Traditionally, plugs are inserted manually by a team, which can require workers to twist and bend to reach in order to place them. General Motors sought a solution for the system to automatically place the plugs where they needed to go, detect and indicate errors to the operator, and verify that the installation is correct.
Gateway Technical College uses FANUC CNC and robotics training tools to produce a highly skilled workforce to install, operate and maintain advanced automation solutions.
In their production of car bumpers, FANUC Cobots have helped Flex-N-Gate cut costs, improve product quality, and minimize downtime with easy-to-learn technology and lifetime support.
Machine tool builder Excalibur Tool has integrated FANUC robots, and CNC controls into their grinding machines for optimal efficiency, consistency, and overall performance.
Electroimpact partnered with FANUC to propel Automated Fiber Placement forward and transform the aerospace industry.
By integrating FANUC CNC controls into their portable wheel lathe for the rail industry, Delta Wheel Truing improved the quality, precision, and consistency of their product’s performance.
FANUC controls have served C.R. Onsrud well in providing cutting-edge CNC solutions to manufacturing facilities. With C.R. Onsrud’s automation manufacturing solutions, Lippert Components has improved their production efficiency, speed, and quality.
Cox Manufacturing can produce higher-quality parts in higher volumes than their competitors across 80+ machines with the use of FANUC CNC controls.
FANUC robots have made it easy for Clack to automate manual processes and improve the precision and efficiency of manufacturing parts for water treatment systems.
With FANUC robots, Camcraft and Matrix are able to reach high production goals, reduce inefficiencies, and improve the quality of their end products.
Bourn & Koch simplifies their engineering with FANUC controls for the standardized and streamlined operation of their machines.
With FANUC robots and automation technology, Noble Plastics has achieved higher standards of precision, accuracy, repeatability, and reliability for their customers.