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New Technology and
Robot-Wars
Check out our killer
new Robot and CNC process |
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| Two years of project focus on new technologies has yielded
a huge gain in quality and efficiency. We are now in the final
stages of implementing a whole slew of technologies aimed at keeping
Factory Five Number One. |
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Our molding process begins with our new Eastman
M900 CNC cutting machine. This machine cuts all of our
fiberglass and carbon fabric as well as separate runs for our
carpet sets.
In composites, we have a new high tech applications gel
coating gun to apply our base (sandable) gel coat into our
molds. The gel coat guns complement our growing inventory
of RTM molds that produce better parts faster. |
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| Above: The new Eastman M900 CNC
cutting machine. Below left: Clint and his beloved new low
volume gel coat gun. Below right: Brand new FR RTM mold
(door skins for roadster). |
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| After nine months of work, our new robot is on-line and
working in the composites-trimming department. This new guy
completes a day's worth of trimming and parts finishing work in 24
minutes! Jesper Ingerslev and Nate have done a great job on this
project and we hope to integrate two new welding robots as well by the
end of the year. |
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| Left: Our new
RPT-Fanuc automatic robot w/enclosed operations room.
Right: Close up robo-trimmer |
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| The robot is the latest part of our quest to integrate new
technologies and keep us ahead of all competitors. This is a truly
patriotic endeavor, as we use the best American technology to fend off
attacks from China (low labor rates) and South Africa (subsidized
exports and low labor rates). Our new processes keep our overhead
down, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality. |
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Left: Completed
composites area. Right: Plant Manager Dougherty with
a day's work. |
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| The equipment is right at home as all construction on our
addition is complete, down to the epoxy coated floors in the composites
area. Current production benefits across the board from all these
new applications of today's latest technology. |
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New computer designed Roadster
& Coupe (90" & 95" platform) jigs keep
production high AND accurate. |
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| Stage one is complete as the composites molding area has
benefited the most from the new CNC fabric cutting system, RTM molding
process, and Robot trimming operations. We are focusing next on
the welding and shaping areas. R&D engineering is already
fully integrated with Pro-Engineer and our newest software modules for
SolidWorks, which enable womb-to-tomb computer based design,
development, and manufacturing. |
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Not to be forgotten, is the shipping department
that now has automated packaging machines to complement their
new inventory software and computers.
We are really excited to be on this technology heavy path,
which promises to keep us at the front of the pack and allow us
to better serve our customers. Stay tuned for more
details. |
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Factory Five Racing, Inc. |
| Dougherty and his new
Smart-Packer, packaging machine |
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