If you can not find the answer to your question among the answers below, please contact us and we will be glad to provide the information you are looking for.

Q: How quickly can a tool (mold or die) exchange be completed safely?

A: Depending on tool weight and extent of the QDC/QMC program, a tool exchange can be completed safely in as little as 1 minute. Most industrial applications will be in the 5 minute range for a tool exchange. As with any improvement project, large gains in setup time reduction can be made with moderate costs. Additional minor gains in reducing changeover times can cost significantly higher amounts for each additional increment of time saved. A complete QDC/QMC program will take into account operator training, raw material input and scrap & finished product out, standardized tool surfaces, standardized clamping, press rollers, a cart, table, or shuttle for actual tool exchanging, and tool pre-staging and storage. Each application is unique and must be reviewed by experienced personnel prior to determining a feasible/justifiable changeover system and speed.

Q: Is a mobile vehicle (die cart, die truck, mold cart, mold truck, etc.) the best type of system for implementing QMC/QDC?

A: That depends on a number of factors including:

• number of presses being served by the new system
• goals of the improvement project
• distance and accessibility to tool pre-staging and/or storage area
• layout of plant and aisle spacing, etc.
• press access and other auxiliary equipment
• operator qualifications and ability
• floor conditions and load capacity

It is best to have a qualified GV applications engineer to visit your facility to review these and other considerations before identifying the style of changeover system that would be best since no two applications are the same. It may prove that table, shuttles, or other configurations are better suited for the application and desired goals. Other considerations are: number of changeovers performed per press per shift or day, power/fuel type allowed in the plant, capacity of system in weight and unit loading (single, double, multiple stations), configuration of system (single station, dual side-by-side, dual over/under, multiple side-by-side and/or over/under), pedestrian proximity, etc. The options are endless and require expert interaction to determine the most beneficial system for the particular application.

Q: What areas should we consider when generating a cost justification report?

A: detail the following:

• lower changeover expenses
• increased press capacity
• reduced damage to tools and presses
• reduced injuries
• improved personnel morale
• matching the job process with the correct tools to do the job
• more flexible production opportunities

Q: How soon can I get a unit?

A: Although GV has many modules and standards to use as building blocks for your system, we do not have completed units ready for shipment. Our experience has been that each application has unique requirements that require custom tailoring. A typical application requires data gathering, quotation, purchase order, approval process, production release, manufacture, test, run-off, and ship. This entire process can take as little as 4-6 weeks for small applications, to as much as 30 weeks for large automated systems.