5 CNC Drilling and Sawing Automation Capabilities That Reduce Structural Steel Processing Lead Times and Costs

Structural steel processing demands absolute precision to maintain structural integrity. Yet, manual drilling and sawing often result in errors like misaligned holes or uneven cuts, leading to costly rework and missed deadlines. Thankfully, new CNC drilling and sawing automation presents a more efficient and cost-effective solution for handling structural materials.

In this article, we'll explore how CNC drilling and sawing automation from Southern Metal Fabricators can help reduce human errors that slow down production and eat into profits. For instance, the Peddinghaus XDM-630 combines drilling and sawing automation to enhance precision and speed, making it ideal for projects involving beams, channels, base plates, stairs, platforms, and other structural elements that require rapid processing.

Here are five key ways this CNC automation can save you both time and money.

1: Boost Production Capacity with Multi-Spindle CNC Drilling

We've previously discussed how even a minor drilling mistake can severely impact the quality and accuracy of your output. Precision is critical when your industry demands flawless custom metal fabrication.

The CNC drilling automation in the Peddinghaus XDM-630 minimizes costly errors, even under tight deadlines. By maximizing multi-spindle drilling, it ensures superior hole quality and speeds up drilling time. This allows you to take on more projects without compromising quality.

With its high-speed 4-axis carbide drilling and 3-drill spindles equipped with 5-station tool changers, the Peddinghaus offers significant time and cost-saving benefits, including:

• Higher throughput: Multi-spindle drilling enables simultaneous production of multiple parts, increasing throughput compared to single-spindle drilling machines. Powered by 25 HP (18.5 kW) Siemens servo motors, it operates within a speed range of 0-3000 RPM.
• Enhanced accuracy: The Peddinghaus XDM-630 consistently delivers precise results across various materials, ensuring quality even at high drill speeds.
• Greater efficiency: It performs multiple operations on a single workpiece, potentially reducing machining time by up to five times compared to a single-spindle lathe.

All these advantages translate to labor and materials cost savings, particularly when producing large volumes of smaller or medium-sized components.

2: Improve Throughput Accuracy with Precision Roller-Feed Automation

CNC automation enhances accuracy and maintains consistent quality throughout the production process. The Peddinghaus XDM-630's roller measurement technology ensures precise measurements, even when dealing with material inconsistencies.

Other notable benefits include:

• Exceeds industry standards for roller measurement technology in terms of accuracy and reliability.
• Automates the measurement process, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks.
• Guarantees accuracy despite variations in material thickness or composition.

3: Save Time on Slot and Cope Milling with CNC Drilling Automation

Eliminating unnecessary steps in the structural materials processing workflow can significantly reduce labor hours and free up capacity for new projects. The Peddinghaus XDM-630 streamlines operations by minimizing the time required for slot and cope milling, part of its comprehensive CNC drilling automation capabilities.

Key time-saving advantages include:

• Achieves a mirror-like finish with less effort.
• Completely removes the need for post-drilling grinding.
• Delivers finished parts ready for assembly without additional processing.

4: Enhance Processing Efficiency with Automated Parts Handling

Just like CNC drilling and sawing automation, automating parts handling minimizes manual intervention and boosts overall efficiency along the production line.

For example, the Peddinghaus XDM-630's parts handling conveyor system reduces human error, lowers repetitive strain injuries, and cuts labor costs. Additional benefits include:

• Facilitates easy parts removal with minimal operator interaction.
• Enables seamless movement to maximize processing speed.
• Automatically sorts shorter pieces into a scrap bin while longer parts move through the exit system for further processing or direct loading.

5: Accelerate Timelines and Enhance Safety with Sawing Automation

Besides CNC drilling, sawing automation provides an economical way to speed up timelines without compromising quality or safety. Automating the sawing process eliminates manual cutting hazards, making operations safer, faster, and more accurate.

The Peddinghaus XDM-630's speed sawing technology reduces cutting risks and times while boosting productivity. Key features include:

• Rapid blade approach.
• Automatic material detection.
• Dynamic cutting speed adjustment.
• Compensated feed rate during the cut.
• Automatic end-of-cut sensing and blade retraction.

Yes, We Can Help You Streamline Your Structural Processing

At Southern Metal Fabricators, we understand that CNC drilling and sawing automation can drastically shorten production cycles while minimizing costly mistakes. Outsourcing your structural steel processing and labor-intensive custom metal fabrication projects to us allows us to act as your dedicated off-site processing hub.

Our team of engineers has over 32 years of experience addressing structural steel processing and metal fabrication challenges. To deliver maximum value, we've invested in state-of-the-art automation and tools tailored to meet the needs of both industrial and commercial steel projects.

Let us demonstrate how we can help you achieve faster turnaround times and lower costs. Visit our structural steel fabrication page to discover more about outsourcing your next detailing or processing project, or reach out to us directly.