Ingramatic: Increasing capabilities
19/09/2016
In addition to recently
introducing a new machine frame base - that will enable it to continue to provide
a first class product - Ingramatic SpA is also looking to increase its in-house
manufacturing capabilities to ultimately become a completely autonomous
company.
Originally founded in 1966, Ingramatic
was acquired in 2004 by SACMA Group to complete the Group’s range of machinery –
adding thread rolling services to the existing cold and warm forming
capabilities. The first step the Group took was to build and move Ingramatic to
a new assembly facility – located in Castelnuovo Scrivia - which enabled SACMA
to focus on its logistics, organisation and efficiency of production with its
Modular System strategy.
Since then Ingramatic has been
constantly working on creating a full range of new machines, offering the latest
technology, which can be produced in a streamlined process. The company’s re-designed
threading machines focus on high-technology systems rather than the previous
mechanical operations. The machines are higher quality and more reliable, resulting
in better quality final products. A big advantage of the re-design is that the
components for the machine can all be made within SACMA Group – guaranteeing
better quality. Now Ingramatic is in the perfect position to continue to grow,
offering its newly designed frames in a vivid red to signify the Group – replacing
the previous green frames.
To improve the efficiency of the assembly
division Ingramatic also adopted a similar assemble process to its parent
company – using a modular system involving different sized frames. The only
difference is the Ingramatic machines are smaller – making it faster to create
the machine, meaning more can be produced. At any one time the assembly
division can have up to 25 machines being built for customers all around the
world – including the USA, Russia, France, Japan, the Czech Republic and
Turkey.
Ingramatic is always looking to
internalise processes where possible to help improve its assembly division and
make the building of its machines as efficient as possible. That is why it has
started its own manufacturing division using Mazak machines to produce specific
parts. There are also plans for two additional machines by the end of October,
which will see the company’s manufacturing capability increase to 25%.
The aim within the next five years is
for Ingramatic to have its own production department producing 100% of parts.
For this to happen the company has a future project to expand the facility, and
the land for any future extension has already been acquired. The ultimate aim
is to make the business a completely automatous company, with everything done
in-house.
An essential part of Ingramatic business
is its R&D department, which is able to work on future machines to be
introduced - using the latest 3D CAD and FEM softwares – as well as customising
machines to customers’ individual demands. For instance, the company is
planning on introducing the new RP120 and RP220, which are the smaller machines
with a new starter unit – with a Torque motor. In addition, the company has already
introduced the CNC warm thread rolling machine model RP420-WF30 with its
ability to deform exotic materials. There is also the new Waterbury 50 – CNC
RP720-R1 with a washer assembly unit and with a very large capacity for engine
bolts.
An important factor in all this new
machinery is for Ingramatic to always be one step ahead of the competitors and
to make sure the machines work perfectly – offering a good combination between
robustness and very high technology. Being part of the SACMA Group means
Ingramatic has also adopted the same rigorous high standards and requirements,
which enables it to guarantee quality machinery and service. Firstly it has 100%
spare parts available immediately - something the company reports is unique
within the industry for making threading rolling machinery.
Ingramatic
believes the market for thread rolling machines is very open as customers are
now focusing on the importance of threading operations as part of the overall
process. For many years the customers concentrated on the headers and the
strategic possibilities. Now customers are looking for new threading machines
that are stronger and offer more possibilities.
To meet the
needs of the market the aim at Ingramatic is be present everywhere and to be a
leader in the market with the very best technology. Whilst price margins are
tight Ingramatic states that it is a big market and there is demand.
Due to a
good organisation and structure to the production process, as well as the
investment in time, machinery and materials, the company is confident about the
future and the full range of machines it is able to supply.
FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 101 SEPTEMBER 2016
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