|
|
|
| Six seconds vs. one minute. In recent years we’ve surveyed a lot of shops and we’ve found some startling facts: Most people drastically underestimate how many times they change tools each day. And they don’t realize how much longer it takes to change tools with the old manual methods, as compared to Kwik-Switch.The tool change frequencies shown in the chart below are averages of actual counts. One minute was found to be the average tool change time using old methods such as draw bars and Morse taper sleeves. The savings figures are calculated on saving 54 seconds per tool change by using Kwik-Switch. |
When you consider that the average Kwik-Switch system sells for $2,500., you can see how fast it pays for itself. In cases of high tool change frequencies—which are typical on NC machines— Kwik-Switch can actually pay for the machine.
|
Pre-set tools save more time. Most
shops buy a few extra Kwik-Switch tool adapters and pre-set tools to length while the
machine is running. This practice eliminates depth-setting time while the spindle is
stopped. Some shops go as far as storing complete sets of pre-set spot drills, drills, counterbores and taps for each popular screw size. Others store complete sets of pre-set tools for repetitive type jobs. When you add these benefits to the tool change time savings, it’s easy to see why every shop that buys one Kwik-Switch system soon buys another. Now let’s look at another cost saver—interchangeable collets. |
Cost of Machine Time/Hour |
Number of Tool Changes Per Day |
|||
30 |
50 |
100* |
200* |
|
$40.00 |
$4,600.00 |
$7,600.00 |
$15,000.00 |
$30,000.00 |
$60.00 |
$6,900.00 |
$11,400.00 |
$22,500.00 |
$45,000.00 |
$80.00 |
$13,800.00 |
$22,800.00 |
$45,000.00 |
$90,000.00 |
$100.00 |
$20,700.00 |
$34,200.00 |
$67,500.00 |
$135,000.00 |
*These tool change frequencies were most common on NC
machines surveyed.
Universal Engineering / DeVlieg® Tooling Systems / Tool Preset Service & Calibration
Last updated 02/10/2007