At Stirling Group, we pride ourselves on our ability to deeply understand and meet the unique needs of our customers. One such journey began in mid-2022 when Brian from Ames Grafton reached out to us with a pressing concern: increasing production and improving the reliability of his aging equipment. What followed was a collaborative effort that led to significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and sustainability for Ames Grafton.
The Initial Consultation
In mid-2022, Brian reached out to us, looking for a solution to increase production capabilities and ensure operational reliability. Brad and Craig began the process with an on-site visit to Ames Grafton, where they evaluated their specific needs in terms of design, outputs, and run times. This hands-on assessment enabled us to provide tailored recommendations to meet their requirements.
Aging Machinery at Ames
Recommendations
Based on our assessment, we recommended the installation of a CNC-controlled lathe from Bacci. This machine is versatile and capable of producing any form of wood-turned product. Ames primary uses was to manufacture 800mm-1200mm handles for axes and picks. Ames agreed with our tailored recommendations and decided to purchase the CNC-controlled copy lathe.
Recommended Machine: Bacci CNC Lathe, Model T4MO
Installation and Testing
The installation process was handled by our experienced team members Pappy and Mauro. The installation took a quick 2 days, ensuring everything was set up correctly and ready for operation. This included two days setting up and testing the machine to ensure it met specifications and produced correctly sized items. Brad and Mauro provided 3 days of staff training to ensure the Ames Grafton team was fully equipped to operate the new machinery.
Machine Installation and Testing: Mauro, Bacci Technician
Benefits
The CNC technology brought several key benefits:
- Cycle Time: The efficiency of CNC-controlled machining resulted in a 20% quicker cycle time, enabling Ames Grafton to produce more items in less time.
- Finish Quality: By manipulating the rotation and cutting pitch with CNC-controlled spindles and cutter feed rates, we achieved a machine finish that eliminated the need for sanding, significantly improving the finish quality.
- Efficiency: Full control over all machining parameters allowed for optimal cutting of Australian hardwoods, resulting in zero machining rejects and maximizing material usage.
- Productivity: The four-spindle output increased production capacity by 33% per cycle compared to a traditional copy lathe. Each cycle now produces four handles, enhancing overall productivity.
- Sustainability: Meeting growing product demands was challenging with aging equipment. The new lathe increased production output by 33% and reduced cycle times by 20%. Additionally, the elimination of sanding allowed for repurposing staff to more critical tasks.
Axes Handles being made in the CNC Lathe.
Finished Axe Handles (each cycle produces 4 handles).
Continuous Support
Our commitment to Ames Grafton extends beyond the installation and training. We continue to provide ongoing support to ensure their operations run smoothly and efficiently. This continuous partnership helps them maintain and even exceed industry standards, allowing them to thrive in the competitive wood processing market.
A successful partnership.
From Left to Right: Brad Anderson (Stirling Group), Brian (Ames), Mauro (Bacci) and Andrew (Ames).
Conclusion
The journey with Ames exemplifies our dedication to enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability for our customers. By understanding their unique needs and providing tailored solutions, we helped Ames achieve significant improvements in their operations.
Partner with us
Partnering with the Stirling Group means embarking on a journey towards excellence, with ongoing support and innovative solutions that drive success in the wood processing industry. Join us and experience the difference that expertise and commitment can make for your business.
