What happens when a hurricane is your workspace? Such was the case when licensed mechanical contractor Christopher Molnar was tasked with the recovery and inspection of HVAC equipment from residential and commercial sites in Panama City, Florida, soon after Hurricane Matthew ripped through its neighborhoods.
One of the most common misconceptions about lean manufacturing techniques is that they only apply to large-scale operations. Lean is the continuous improvement of operations to cut down wastes. “What lean tends to do is look at the system and try to identify what adds value,” explains Robert Van Til, Ph.D., professor of lean studies at the Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science and chair of the Industrial Systems and Engineering Department.
As recently as 40 years ago, the process of fabricating ductwork was incredibly time-consuming. Skilled tradesman known as “tin knockers” individually laid out each galvanized component using templates made of plywood, metal, or cardboard. They’d take a template and sketch out the location of parts on the raw steel before wielding hand and electric tin snips to cut the parts out.
No matter how much you try to keep track of all the moving pieces at job site, it’s those unexpected surprises that make you wish you could quickly shoot back to your shop for a regroup. Whether you are fabricating a part or managing an installation from start to finish, here are a few top-rated apps that will keep you and your crew on track to a job well done.
Utilizing complementing software from Trimble and hardware from Mestek that all “talks to each other,” the Oklahoma-based ACP Sheet Metal Company has been able to cut costs and reduce waste while increasing its bottom line
When Nathan Dills took over operations at ACP Sheet Metal Company (ACPC) from his father, Harold, in 2013, he made certain that the 41-year-old, Oklahoma-based sheet metal fabricator continue its long-standing tradition of embracing new technology.
Officials at the St. Louis Area Foodbank say the installation of a Verasys system by Johnson Controls is reducing utility costs and increasing energy savings.