If you’ve come across this article I’m sure it’s because you’re looking for more information on how to choose a flexible machine for your production department, or you’ve already begun evaluating the purchase.

Maybe you’re curious to learn more, looking for information to understand how they work, and trying to understand whether they may be suitable for your business.

Maybe you started with the idea of buying a simple machine tool, a classic machining center like the ones you already have, but then you heard about flexible machines and they intrigued you.

Am I right?

If so, I have to say that I am really very happy for you, because you are about to discover a totally new world of production for everyone that uses machine tools.

A world that could revolutionize the results of your company forever.

Why do I say this?

Simply because these machines represent the new frontier in the world of manufacturing and are a new type and technology of CNC machines which are starting to really give a lot of satisfaction to those who have chosen them for their production.

I say this with total and absolute certainty, because it is not just me speaking, but the end users in ever growing numbers and the results they are achieving.

The Flexible Machine is a new technology in all respects.

So, I will dedicate this article to guide you in the discovery of these new and beautiful CNC machine tools.

What is a flexible machine?

The flexible machine is a CNC machine characterized by the use of 3 or more spindles and an additional loading and unloading station.

It is a standard machine which adapts to many types of production and allows you to obtain different types of processing.

The production change or changeover takes place in just 15 minutes reducing production downtimes and helping to reduce warehouse stock.

Unlike a classic machining center, the flexible machine allows you to be much more productive, as its productivity can reach up to 3.5-4 times more than a single machining center.

“What is the advantage of being more productive?”

The advantages are many, but the main ones can be summarized as follows:

Space savings, in fact, only one flexible machine can replace 3-4 machining centers;
Savings on specialized personnel, because by increasing productivity with a single flexible machine you can avoid the “battery machining centers” effect, i.e. the terrible tendency to buy many machining centers to become more productive. Each machining center corresponds to 1 robot and continuing to buy many machining centers necessarily requires more specialized personnel. Today the problem is that specialized personnel:

Are is difficult to find;
Are becoming more expensive;

And this situation does not leave you free to grow your business production as you would like, because it keeps you chained;

Energy savings, because the energy consumption of a flexible machine is similar to that of a single machining center, but productivity is 3.5-4 machining centers and therefore, as you can well understand, it becomes much more productive without increasing energy consumption;
Get more orders on medium lots and be competitive, because if you become more productive with just one machine you can finally get orders from potential customers, remaining more competitive than your competitors who, unlike you, are still facing orders with old, uncompetitive business models.

Why they represent the new frontier for manufacturing

For some years it has become evident to everyone that in the world of production everything has changed.

Customer orders are no longer stable and small-medium lots are now on the agenda.

Therefore, implementing a correct method and business model in the company is the winning tool to better face the new market challenges.

Lean Manufacturing has until now been the right solution for those who wanted to become more flexible, but this approach alone has been detrimental to the productivity of companies.

Finding the right balance and the relationship between flexibility and productivity is the right key for those who intend to really make the leap in quality and profitability.

For this reason, in 2005 the “Flexible Production” Method was born, a production methodology that starts from the basic concepts of Lean Manufacturing and is perfectly adapted to those who use machine tools.

A tailor-made method for you.

But applying this method is not simple, because it requires a change of mentality and a new approach to production.

And above all it also requires the use of the correct technology.

In fact, to apply the Flexible Production method to the best, a Flexible Machine is required, which is the perfect and best technology on the market today.

Flexible Machines are the right tool to implement a new business model in the company, based on the concepts of Flexible Production.

How they will help your company earn more

As mentioned before, the Flexible Machine is the perfect tool to help your company apply the Flexible Production method and to implement a new business model in the company that will make you more competitive.

This new business model allows you to get the correct Automation-Productivity ratio, to help those who implement it to better adapt to the changing market.

This represents a huge advantage for companies, because finding the correct relationship between Automation and Productivity is the key to achieving competitive advantages in the medium term.

After the first 3-5 years of investment on the machine, the objective is to transform fixed costs into EBITDA, i.e. fresh liquidity for the company that will allow more margins on orders and more earnings to be reinvested in the company.

The flexible machine is the perfect technology to achieve this result.

In fact, with only one flexible machine you can achieve the perfect balance, finally be more productive without giving up your flexibility.

The main feature to consider before choosing a Flexible Machine

To be able to understand how to choose a flexible machine correctly there are to be evaluated different characteristics, but only one above all is the most important and fundamental to make the best purchase.

And this characteristic is the RELIABILITY of the machine.

In fact, as with any purchase, in this case it is very important that the supplier you choose to turn to for your purchase is a company that specializes in this new technology.

A company specialized in the construction of flexible machines.

This aspect is essential, because it would guarantee you a safer and longer lasting purchase, as well as many other advantages you would have, such as the most competitive price and the best machine performance compared to a simple “all-around” manufacturer.

A company specialized in the construction of flexible machines would certainly have a specialized team on the subject of “Flexible Machine” and the whole service would consequently guarantee you greater reliability.

Turning to a specialist is the ultimate solution to all your doubts and problems, because it would guarantee you:

A team and service specialized in the issues;
Greater reliability and durability of the machine;
Faster delivery times (even 4 months);
A final purchase price that is much more competitive.

Obviously a specialized company has the advantage of building machines in series, and this aspect should not be underestimated.

In fact, every time a machine is built for the manufacturing company, it is an experience that turns into ever more positive improvements for the final product.

Building in series allows the builder to have in hand a finished product already tested, which has nothing to do with the “Prototypes” (horrible) that many companies offer on the market and that have nothing to do with the concept of RELIABILITY.

Here you can find the first flexible machine built in series
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Now that I have guided you up to this point, I think you have a clear idea of what you are talking about when the term “Flexible Machine” is mentioned.

Now it’s up to you to decide whether to continue to face the new market challenges with old technologies and old business models (obsolete) or if you really bring your company and your production department to the “next level”.

If you want to go deeper on the topic of “Flexible Production”,

CLICK HERE

>>> www.flexibleproductionbook.com <<<

My book, dedicated to users of machine tools that want to make the leap in quality & productivity, is waiting for you!!!

Maurizio Porta

MASTER TRAINER Method FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION

FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION