Heartland Automation has recently invested over $850,000 in its machine shop in Georgetown, KY where it manufactures both custom automation solutions as well as machine parts for their sister company, AutoGuide Mobile Robots.
The upgrade and expansion provide the company with increased vertical integration while supporting the rapidly increasing volume with JIT manufacturing for AutoGuide’s best in the industry lead times. Continuing with Heartland’s “Made in the USA” philosophy, the new machine shop equipment is also American made with new CNC machining centers coming from Haas Automation (Oxnard, CA) and a waterjet from OMAX (Kent, WA).
The machines are programmed using Mastercam from 3D models created by engineering to make accurate machined parts more efficiently than previous methods requiring manual entry of coordinates. The milling machines all feature Renishaw tool and work probes that drastically reduce set up time as well as a common controller across all Haas machines so machinists can easily switch between machines.
Advanced features like live tooling and a Y-axis on the lathe eliminate most secondary machining operations on turned parts. The high precision of the OMAX waterjet can cut parts that previously required a milling machine and weldments can be designed with interlocking features to give high location accuracy and nearly eliminating the need for welding fixtures.
The increased capabilities, capacity, and efficiency will help support Heartland’s growth plans in Kentucky. “Modernizing our machine shop was crucial to increasing our vertically integrated content and thus reduce our customer’s lead time,” said Robert Sullivan, President and CEO of Heartland Automation and AutoGuide Mobile Robots. “We have the best lead times in the industry, but we must continually improve via Kaizen methodologies.”
AutoGuide Mobile Robots will exhibit at ProMat 2019, the largest expo for the manufacturing and supply chain industries from April 8-11 in Chicago’s McCormick Place at booth #S2059.
About AutoGuide Mobile Robots:
AutoGuide Mobile Robots (http://www.agmobilerobots.com/) connects leaders and innovators in the fast-growing material handling technology sector by sharing ideas and promoting advancements in robotics and automation. Rob Sullivan, CEO of AutoGuide Mobile Robots leads a team from the company’s new R&D facility in Chelmsford, MA as well as their recently expanded manufacturing facility co-located with system integration sister company Heartland Automation in Georgetown, KY.
The AutoGuide Mobile Robot team exceeds customers’ needs and expectations by providing superior service as the worldwide leader in advanced technology Mobile Robots. Offering a lean manufacturing value proposition of reducing costs by eliminating transport inefficiencies in factory and warehouse operations by improving worker and product safety, reallocating labor resources to more value-add activities, and increasing delivery throughput and consistency, AutoGuide Mobile Robots provides the shortest lead times and most rapid ROI in the autonomous transportation market.
Proudly Made in America, follow AutoGuide Mobile Robots on Twitter @AGMobileRobots
Media Contact
Company Name: AutoGuide Mobile Robots
Contact Person: Tim McCabe
Email:Send Email
Phone: (603) 718-9837
Address:2 Omni Way
City: Chelmsford
State: MA
Country: United States
Website: www.autoguideagvs.com
