A Guide to Greater Overall Efficiency

For over 70 years, Bug-O Systems has provided welding and cutting mechanized products to increase your Return of Investment. This article will explore the Integration of Mechanization in Applications to produce great overall efficiency to the end-user.

Industry is faced with a world where it is nearly impossible to find and hire skilled labor and, in some cases, the task at hand is just too difficult for current applicants. When it comes to welding and cutting, this industry segment is no different and for many companies, this is an all too familiar reality. Today many business owners are finding that mechanization can be a very valuable, cost effective solution to the challenges they face in this ever so demanding field. This article is intended to help provide additional clarity to your decision process as you can determine if mechanization is a viable option for your welding and cutting requirements.

We will take you through the steps so as to break the decision process into three parts. These three parts are identified as Application, Information/Data and Equipment. Using these three guides you will clearly see if mechanization is a viable solution for you. We will now examine each of these three areas individually to provide you with the best possible understanding of this decision process.

First, identify clearly what the Application is. Are we going to be cutting, welding or both? Identify the material, size, shape, type of material, how I will access the material for the task at hand and what is the orientation of the material. Understand if there are any particular specifications and criteria that must be met to pass visual or various other types of inspections need to be satisfied. Once identifying those key technical points required, then we can understand the boundaries or limits of the application. Remember it is important to represent the application in as much detail as possible. “Lay it out; nail it down” and what I mean by that is don’t be afraid to take the extra time and effort to actually lay material down, orient that material in a manner that you would perform the task manually and see if by removing the torch or gun from the operators hand will be possible. Anytime we can do that, we can easily create greater productivity with greater regularity and uniformity, thus increasing superior quality. Basically, we are removing any chance for human error.

Next, the Information is conveyed or represented by a particular arrangement or sequence of things. The more information provided or gathered will help narrow down possible options up for consideration. For example; are there any specs, drawings, pictures and communication between manufacture and end-user will also provide insight to the specific design the machine will require. Who will perform the work and what is his or her skill level? What are the goals and deadline? Where will this project be taking place? When will you start the project and what is the length of the project? Why are you doing the work, in other words describe the needs of the project. How will you reach your goal, or what actions will you employ? How much money do you estimate you’ll need? All of these questions will help to determine if the process can and should be mechanized. The benefit of Bug-O products is that they are portable and modular and can be taken to the work piece and into remote work environments. Keep in mind not every application can be mechanized, however many applications can be once reviewed and detailed out.

The final step is the Equipment which will be chosen based upon the outcomes of your decision-making procedure above.

After consulting with your Bug-O professional to select the proper product you will then want to test, then demonstrate the process. Upon approval from the client, set-up on site and training will then be recommended. Testing may be required by the end-user to provide samples to their client for approval. Be prepared for this. Testing may raise questions or give insight to possible modifications required to refine or dial in the equipment for better results or to meet specific needs of the client. Always remember during this stage, going back to review the information can only reiterate you have made the right decision. Demonstrating the ability of the equipment and providing training to the end-user will solidify that the equipment will perform all the duties set out to complete the job successfully.

Mechanized cutting and welding cannot be performed without a good or skilled operator, so training is necessary. Our products do not eliminate jobs, but actually enable operators to perform their work better, more efficiently and with greater quality. Training ensures the operator is well versed and fully capable of running the equipment effectively and safely.

Now with the application defined, the information gathered, and equipment specified and tested, we are ready to work.

At this point the client is now in the best position possible to make a clear and comfortable decision to purchase this equipment and start being more productive and profitable. In this global and highly competitive marketplace today. It is very important to remain competitive and to increase your quality and overall efficiency. Let Bug-O products help take you there!

For more details on how your company can benefit from mechanization, contact us at: sales@bugo.com or call 1-800-245-3186 or 412-331-1776.