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Digitalization in metalworking companies is progressing at a rapid pace. There is no "one-box" Industry 4.0 solution, but rather individual modules of software solutions (ERP, MES, MRP, CAD, CAM, etc.) that together pave the way to the digital factory. The core issue is to combine the individual digitalization modules into a self-functioning, autonomous "eco-system". This means that the company processes that were previously mapped in analog form will be converted into digital processes. The rule here is that only a perfectly functioning analog process can be converted into an equally perfectly functioning digital process. SQL-based systems, as a quasi industry standard, enable the individual digitalization components to grow together. Furthermore, every company has different process flows that need to be taken into account. This means that each company must find its own individual path based on a dedicated digitalization strategy.
The digital trend is also becoming more and more prevalent in the sheet metal industry. One component of this is the introduction of a web store for procuring sheet metal parts. In web stores, sheet metal parts can be requested online, provided with a quote and then ordered. The respective web store functions autonomously and is available and accessible 24/7. The basis is 2D blanks (e.g. based on DXF) or 3D sheet metal components (e.g. based on STEP). It should be noted that more and more products are being developed in 3D CAD systems. This creates the "digital twin" as a counterpart to the later real product. It can be assumed that 3D data will replace 2D data in the future, which will simplify processing without queries. Queries prevent seamless process handling, which is why this paradigm shift is definitely welcome for many suppliers or contract manufacturers in the sheet metal processing industry. Based on the above as an introduction, three companies, which are presented below, have analyzed the digital transformation, developed concepts and finally acted. In 2019, 3D Concepts GmbH implemented three new web stores in the companies based on the well-known Radan product portfolio.
Trio is a contract manufacturer for sheet metal components and provides a complete service from consulting, design and planning to ready-to-install assemblies. Trio's strengths include small series and individual parts in particular, but large quantities are also no problem for Trio. Thanks to state-of-the-art laser technology, non-ferrous metals such as copper, brass and titanium can also be processed.
Caption: The new production facility of Trio Metall und Design GmbH built in 2018
Trio started implementing its digital strategy at the beginning of 2019. The task was to digitize internal processes and implement a web store for sheet metal parts procurement. At the same time, the new digital processes were to be linked to their existing ERP system and the new laser systems were to be controlled with the Radan solutions. Trio's machinery consists of an Amada EML-3610 NT combination machine, two Amada Ensis AJ 3015 laser cutting machines and various Amada folding benches. The cutting machines are each equipped with a storage tower, which allows three-shift operation.
The result and highlight is the Radan webshop, which was launched under the www.trionline24.de brand.
Caption: The website of the sheet metal parts webshop trionline24.de
The webshop delivers the orders digitally to the ERP system, which in turn transfers the orders to the Radan MRP system for production processing. Completed orders are reported back from the MRP system to the ERP system. The processes for shipping and invoicing are then initiated. This means that both the horizontal logistics and vertical production processes are now digitally mapped at Trio. "The preparation of quotations was always very time-consuming for us, and our web store is intended to minimize or automate this effort. However, we have noticed that larger inquiries, such as complete welded assemblies, are also sent to us directly via the web store. This also prompted us to invest in the Radan offline quotation module Radquote, in which complete assemblies can be calculated. This has almost halved the time and effort involved in preparing quotations," says Mr. Weinberg Key Account Manager Managing Director Mr. Käs adds: "From the very beginning, our goal was to pursue a complete digital strategy. To this end, we have invested in software and machines, but also in new employees. We think we are well positioned for the future with the solution we have now presented. We are currently intensively promoting our new online store in particular and hope to generate additional sales in the long term."
Caption: Managing Director Robert Käs in front of one of the 2 Amada Ensis AJ 3015 with tower
Schönberg Technikhandel + Service GmbH is a medium-sized industrial company from Mühldorf am Inn with production facilities in Erfurt. The company has been successfully producing storage tanks for heating technology since 2006. The company now reaches not only national but also international markets. With the laser center, the company also opens up the possibility of ordering metal parts in contract manufacturing. The orders are cut on a Mazak laser cutting system and a plasma cutting system. Since 2018, a Dener Puma XL 30220 folding machine has completed the machine park. Welded assemblies are processed at Schönberg both manually and using a fully automated welding robot. Both the laser cutting system and the press brake are programmed by Radan software solutions.
Caption: Company premises Schönberg Technikhandel + Service GmbH in Erfurt
Managing Director Mr. Schönberg: "We already knew Radan because we used it to control our sheet metal processing machines. In 2018, we took a closer look at Radan's larger product portfolio and the Radan webshop in particular. This gave rise to the idea of filling our capacity options in contract manufacturing even better with a web store."
Caption: The Mazak laser cutting system at Schönberg Technikhandel + Service GmbH
Schönberg then invested in the Radan web store in 2019. In the meantime, the web portal can be accessed at www.schoenberg-laserzentrum.de. As soon as an order is placed via the portal, it is prepared and processed for production via Radan - MRP.
Caption: The website of the sheet metal parts webshop www.schoenberg-laserzentrum.de
"The implementation of a web store must generally be marketed in order to increase awareness. We recently sent 32,000 letters to potential customers to introduce our services. We are currently still in the start-up phase as far as orders via the web portal are concerned," says Mr. Schönberg.
Röhrle GmbH is a company with many years of experience in sheet metal processing and steel and plant construction. As a medium-sized company, the production of small and large series as well as custom-made products according to customer specifications are undertaken. Thanks to the extensive machinery, customers can expect complete production from a single source. Components with a unit weight of up to 6 tons are manufactured on the approximately 1200 m² production area. Röhrle's range of services includes laser cutting, oxyfuel cutting, shearing, die bending, swivel bending, round bending and welding. In 2016, a Trumpf TruLaser 5060 laser cutting system and an EHT VarioPress 400-40 tandem folding machine for processing very large sheet metal components were added to the machine park. Together with the machines, Röhrle relied on Radan solutions to control the machines.
Caption: Managing directors Frank and Dietmar Röhrle in front of their EHT Tandem folding bench
"I had always observed the two major providers of sheet metal parts webshops. This gave me the desire to get involved here too. Considering that there are hardly any functioning webshops in Germany, unlike in the Netherlands, I hope to be one of the pioneers in digital sheet metal parts procurement. As a result, I invested in the Radan webshop in 2019," says Managing Director Frank Röhrle. The marketing strategy at Röhrle GmbH was based on a new brand. The webshop has now been launched at www.sheetmetal24.de.
Caption: The website of the sheet metal parts webshop sheetmetal24.de
Frank Röhrle: "To promote my online store, I rely on search engine optimization, or SEO for short. I have also invested in Google Adwords, which also helps my online store achieve top rankings."
www.sheetmetal24.de
www.3dconcepts.de
www.radansoftware.de