Radan - Contract Manufacturers

Precision Punching Improved by Easier Software Programming

Upgrading fabrication automation is one of the more obvious challenges for specialised sheet metal companies, but a lesser known but equally engaging need is to install the right software to simplify integration. Melbourne-based manufacturer, Erntec, met market growth by expanding production in its precision sheet metal department through additional state of the art CNC punching technology and eventually settled on Radan as the CNC machine software platform after trialing various options.

Managing Director of the company, Mr Quintin Prince, says the important aspect of his company’s circumstance was to find the right software to ensure all integration between machines and programmers was seamless with no complications.

“Our new machine represents advancement for our sheet metal section and it was imperative to get maximum efficiency out of it,” said Mr Prince.

“Migrating to a new software package was always going to be a challenge as our programmers were used to the one we used for many years. Initial software recommendations were cumbersome and not flexible enough for our requirements, so we kept looking for other options.”

In this precision sheet metal section of its business, Erntec manufactures 19-inch cubicles for electrical, electronics and telecommunications industries, so accuracy/precision and fast output is a key element of its work.

Matters changed immediately when Erntec consulted software supplier Planit regarding its Radan product World renowned in the field of CAD/CAM for the sheet metal industry, Radan software programs use a range of innovative design, manufacture and production control techniques that have become synonymous with production of industrial components and products.

Whether it is electronics/electrical, whitegoods, automotive or IT enclosure businesses, Radan applications greatly improve productivity and profits. Now that Radan is running Erntec’s CNC punching machine, information flow and product output is at an optimum.

“When we looked at Radan it immediately killed all the complication issues we had and the ongoing support we receive from Planit is making an important difference,” said Mr Prince. “Radan has made us more efficient and has increased the precision in our sheet metal section where we make cabinets and racks, subracks, front panels and enclosures. It maximises for us a quick turnaround, high quality, competitive pricing and excellent service. We are focused on providing precision products, right from the initial design process through to the finished item and Radan has helped a lot in streamlining this important part of our business.”

Sheetmetal company benefits from big CAD/CAM productivity gains

Metaltex Australia has doubled the productivity of some of its sheet metal production processes thanks to the adoption of Radan CAD/CAM software from Planit. The time taken to design and fabricate has been slashed, largely due to benefits that result from computer-aided design, plus less re-work and less materials wastage.

“As well as improving our productivity and reducing costs, the software program
has allowed us to have a more rewarding relationship with our customers, who
are able to see their ideas efficiently translated into a finished product,” said Sean Pieterson, son of company founder John.

From humble beginnings in 1979, Metaltex has progressed into one of Victoria’s leading sheet metal manufacturers. The Dandenong-based engineering business fabricates products for many industries including transport, architectural, acoustic, marine, security and point of sale. Goods produced include water and fuel tanks, utility boxes, electrical cubicles, machinery guards and metal furniture.

Metaltex adopted Planit’s Radan software to design and make products on machinery that includes a laser cutter (at an external contractor) and a Strippit LVD Turret Punch Press that punches and folds metal blanks into the desired shape. “We previously had to prepare our designs by hand. To edit, we had to redraw.

Now it’s all done on-screen, which can reduce the time spent on some jobs by up to two weeks. It also definitely reduces re-work and waste due to human error,” said Mr Pieterson. “We started using the Radan program at the beginning of the year, prior to delivery of our punch press. We’re fully utilising the program’s 2D design and shaping capabilities and starting to develop our 3D skills”.

“It wasn’t difficult for us to learn how to use Radan. The company (Planit) gave us three days training for 2D production and we picked it up straight away.”

Sean Pieterson and his brother Daniel are both qualified First Class Sheet Metal Engineers and are the company’s two licensed users of Radan software.

“Planit have been great with their training. Steve Mullens and Paul Cooper (Planit technical staff) have been coming down to see us. They are very good, very informative. We couldn’t ask for more,” Sean Pieterson said. “Now we don’t have much need for ongoing help, although their support is still fantastic. They’ll take us through a process on the phone, or come out to visit if we need them to.” “I would certainly recommend Radan software to sheet metal manufacturers,” he said.

A world leader in the field of CAD/CAM for the sheet metal industry, Radan software programs use a range of innovative design, manufacture and production control techniques that have become synonymous with production of the industry’s components and products.

Whether in the whitegoods, electronics, automotive or IT enclosure businesses, Radan applications can greatly improve your productivity and profits.