Case Study One - ABB Vetco Gray
Background
ABB Vetco Gray is a worldwide manufacturer of oilfield equipment. A project at ABB started in the engineering department and resulted in interest in organizing the Houston tool room. Upon meeting with Vertical Storage Systems and reviewing the benefits of vertical storage, it was determined that a more immediate need in the worldwide tooling operation could be quickly justified. The survey and quotation for this project required several Vertical Lifts.
Situation Analysis
ABB Vetco experienced problems storing tooling and tool holders for their CNC punching and cutting machines. In general, they keep tooling segregated by the holders required by the various machines.
The tool setup for each job is time consuming because the tools are scattered over a large area and most are large, heavy items that require careful handling.
Primary Problems
- Inventory Control - Very expensive tooling that needs to be organized by setups for more efficient change outs.
- Floor Space - Reduce the floor space dramatically to keep tool setups together, close to the actual machine operations using these tools.
- Ergonomics - Individual tools can weigh well over 50 pounds Keeping them together in job sets that are presented at waist level eliminates potential injuries as well as improves operator performance.
Recommended System
The proposed system addressed the targeted problems using four vertical lifts. Vertical Storage Systems got the project off the ground by suggesting ABB Vetco Gray start with one prototype machine that could be evaluated and the interior layout changed for the best possible combination of storage utilization coupled with tooling requirements.
ABB Vetco purchased one Vertical Lift Model 1640-1270, with a pan capacity that exceeds 1 ,700 pounds as a test unit.
They use one standard SK50 size holder that they can adapt to hold several Capto tool sizes. This allows them to only stock one holder that can easily be adapted for several different types of tools.
System Review
The 1640-1270 Vertical Lift helped solve ABB's space problems by reducing the overall floor space required.
Tooling set ups are accessed at an ergonomic height allowing the operator easy storage and retrieval without lifting. This solved the problem of operator back injuries by better ergonomic positioning of the tooling as well as decreasing the time required for each setup. The simple process of grouping the tools by job improved tool control, eliminating lost tooling.
Cleanliness and control are maintained within the structure of the Vertical Lift with access via part number or job. Access can be limited with locking doors and password if desired.
Summary
The Houston location for ABB Vetco Gray is the standard for their tooling operations around the world. The process of adjusting, loading and fine-tuning is complete for the initial vertical lift with several more units planned to complete the system. Similar ABB locations in Singapore and Scotland will standardize their operations by matching the vertical lift System used in the Houston Operation.
