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Key Factors to Consider When Upgrading Your Manufacturing Equipment

When a CNC machining shop grows, it also becomes necessary to upgrade the equipment of its manufacturing shops. However, many shop owners make several mistakes when upgrading their manufacturing equipment, potentially selecting something that will overcomplicate their jobs or underperform for their machining needs. Upgrading manufacturing equipment requires thorough research and a clear understanding of your business’s needs. So, in this blog, we will discuss with you about how to upgrade factory equipment and the factors that you need to consider when making a manufacturing equipment upgrade decision.

Key Factors to Consider When Investing in Multi-Axis CNC Machines

Top Factors to Consider Before Upgrading Your Manufacturing Equipment: 

Here are some of the major things one needs to consider when deciding on a manufacturing equipment upgrade:

1. Current Production Needs:

One of the first things that should feature on your industrial equipment upgrade checklist is your current production needs. You need to clearly define that and write it down before you go to buy new machinery. Here are some questions you need to answer for that: 

  • What materials are you working with on a regular basis?
  • What’s the typical size of your workpieces?
  • How much level of tolerance do you need on a regular basis?
  • What are your batch sizes and production volume?

Answering all these questions and understanding how much your current machines can do for all these requirements will help you understand what your next equipment should be and what specifications it should have.

2. Future Growth and Scalability:

The next thing you need to consider for making the manufacturing equipment upgrade process is your business’s future growth potential. Not only near and mid term, but if possible, then imagine in decades. Here are some things one needs to consider: 

  • If you are going to expand to new industries and part types.
  • Expected increase in order volume.
  • Potential for multi tasking jobs in the future. 

When upgrading to new machines, you might want to go with machines that will have expandable tooling options or a bigger work envelope to ensure the machine can work properly when your machining work grows in the future.

3. Compatibility and System Integration:

The next point in your industrial equipment upgrade checklist should be the compatibility of the new equipment with the existing machineries in the shop. You need to make sure that the new machines can easily be integrated into the current system of the shop. Here are the main compatibility factors you need to take care of: 

  • The tooling standards are already in use. 
  • Your shop’s operators are familiar with the control system of the machine.
  • You have enough power supply capability for the machine.
  • You have enough shop floor space to accommodate the machine.

Proper planning of how to integrate the machine in the shop will help you make a wiser factory equipment investment decision.

4. Calculate Total Cost of Ownership:

Don’t make the purchase call by just seeing the initial price of the machine; make the call after calculating the total cost of ownership. Understanding total cost of ownership will actually help you earn a good ROI once the machine starts working on your shop floor. Here are the cost factors most people often ignore when calculating the total cost of ownership of a machine: 

  • Expenses of installation and rigging.
  • Tooling and accessories requirements.
  • Spare parts availability.
  • Ongoing maintenance. 
  • If you need to invest in the training of your employees. 

Buying a used CNC machine can often be a good choice in this case, as the total cost of ownership comes down with a lower initial price. You also get reliable CNC machines like used Haas ST series, which can be a good choice for upgrading your shop equipment. 

5. Operator Considerations:

Last but not least, you need to take the skill gap and operator training factor into consideration before making the decision of manufacturing equipment upgrade. A CNC machine will be as good as the operator can run it. So ask these questions before upgrading your machine:

  • Do my current operators have enough skill to run the machine?
  • How long will the learning curve be for them?
  • Will I need to hire new specialized technicians for the new machines?

Budgeting for training will help you make the upgradation process much more efficient and smooth. 

Some Other Things to Consider: 

  • If automation is possible.
  • If a proper maintenance network is available for that brand in your area.
  • Verify that the selling platform is trustworthy, especially for used CNC machines. 

Conclusion: 

Upgrading your manufacturing equipment in a CNC manufacturing facility should be a well-thought-out strategic decision. You should not make a decision in a hurry, but take different factors into consideration before making the final decision to buy the right machine.

FAQs:

1. When is the right time to upgrade manufacturing equipment?

An upgrade is typically considered when existing equipment limits capacity, increases downtime, or no longer aligns with current production requirements.

Production requirements, machine compatibility, and total ownership costs are usually reviewed before features or automation options.

An upgrade can address workflow limitations when equipment capabilities better match production demands.

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