With this investment, the Danish supplier of steel-based solutions now has the opportunity to kick down the door to more markets seeking machining of large steel plates of up to 14 metres.

“We’ll be more attractive to the offshore and transport industries, because we can meet their demand for what you might call XXL plate sizes,” explains Søren Eriksen, Sales Manager.

Ib Andresen Industri already has a foot in the door at several major companies in these two industries, but as Søren explains: 

"These upgrades add a layer of automated processing to our capabilities. This ultimately makes our customers even more competitive in their markets. And it will enable us to compete for tasks we previously couldn’t even consider.”

 

Multiple processes – one workflow

“The combination processing line can merge multiple processes into one workflow,” says Morten Jensen, Project Coordinator. These processes are drilling, punching, thread cutting and plasma cutting. 

Besides combining multiple processes, it also includes a high-precision line which can position drilled and punched holes with a tolerance of +/-0.5 mm across 14 metres. 

This is possible because the machine always converts and adapts its machinery to the temperature it measures before starting to process a plate.  

“The entire combination production line is 80 metres long, but as not all workpieces have to undergo all processes, some can be removed part-way through. This wasn’t possible previously, for example. It makes us more flexible.”

In addition, the company’s large, powerful press brakes (with capacity up to 14.4 metres) are placed in both the same and adjacent production halls, enabling large plates processed on the combination line to be promptly sent to the next processing stage.

Morten Jensen explains that the control software has also been enhanced, enabling operators to initiate new orders on the line faster and easier.

“The investment in upgrades significantly intensifies our unwavering focus on more automation,” Morten Jensen concludes.

Ib Andresen expects to be able to transfer 80–90% of the drilling and threading tasks from manual workstations to the line