Metal Processing
Nest components to optimise blanking from sheet or strip
materials
Nesting different compartments on the same sheet is an effective
way to reduce waste of sheet materials. Nest stock components with
specials to minimise off-cuts.
Optimise cutting from length
When a range of lengths is to be cut from stock lengths it pays to
optimise length utilisation and to stock and manage off-cuts to
minimise waste. In drawing operations, excess length may be
produced by inaccurate cutting or diameter control, leading to
length waste.
Control ancillary materials
In metal fabrication ancillary materials such as paint and
packaging materials are often free-issue or poorly controlled.
Losses may be significant and costly.
Plating thickness control
Check the weight gain of components. This should be measured and
controlled to minimise giveaway of plating materials
Control of rinsing water
Rinse water in plating and anodising operations can often be
recycled for pre wash, or it can be concentrated by ambient
evaporation to allow re-use in the plating tank.