Small Shop Achieves Logistical Autonomy with MES

Laser subcontractor AFDL operates with between five and eight employees at any given time. A small shop like this might not be the first context that comes to mind when it comes to the trends of Industry 4.0 and data-driven “smart production.” But implementing the Workplan manufacturing execution system (MES) in conjunction with Radan sheet metal CAD/CAM software — both systems from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence — enabled the company to achieve gains by moving into a more autonomous mode of operation. 

Toward Logistical Autonomy

Focusing on laser cutting of 0.2- to 25-mm-thick sheet metal, French company AFDL has also developed its capabilities in bending and welding, producing stainless steel tables for the furniture industry and working for pharmacies and the public sector. After recent growth, the company now produces as many as 50 orders a day, comprising individual unit parts as well as large series.

Prior to installing Workplan, Stéphane Noailly managed everything from order entry to manufacturing. “We didn’t have production management software, and invoicing was managed by our parent group, Decofor, involving double entry of all our delivery notes,” Mr. Noailly says. “We needed to invest in this type of software because of strong growth and more employees. It was becoming too complicated to manage the company’s activities with Excel files.”

Having used Radan as its sheet metal production software for some 10 years, the company opted to adopt Workplan because it was from the same provider, Hexagon.

Since the installation and deployment of Workplan along with its Radquote module, Mr. Noailly has been able to free up time to develop the company’s operations. The shop has since become completely autonomous from Decofor in its job management, quotation and invoicing.

The Manufacturing Execution System at Work

Since implementing the Workplan and Radquote system for automated time analysis, production cost estimation and quotation generation on its sheet metal parts and assemblies, AFDL has become more responsive, accurate and fair in its pricing, Mr. Noailly says. In 2013, AFDL was formed with Decofor as its only customer. Today, half of its customers are external. Mr. Noailly says that Workplan helped the shop thrive with this expansion in demand. 

The software enables him to generate precise quotes and either duplicate or modify them for similar new orders. He can also transform quotes into orders, which he can then view in their totality. Delivery notes can be generated by entering the order number into the software, which Mr. Noailly says helps the shop avoid missing invoices. 

“Recurring orders from Decofor are now managed with just a few clicks,” he says by way of example. “The file is sent in CSV format, and Workplan transforms it into a command. No more re-entries or errors. It’s a real time saver, as production starts immediately.”

The Benefits of CAD/CAM Integration

AFDL’s success with Workplan is due in part to its integration with Radan. The shop originally began using the CAD/CAM software because it was already installed on a machine tool Decofor purchased at auction and which AFDL inherited. 

Radan enables the shop to operate at 24-hour production, seven days per week. The software powers two Trumatic Laser 3050s along with an Amada HFT press brake. The shop is planning on replacing one of these in order to move into copper and brass cutting for the electrical sector. 

“Thanks to Radan, we can produce up to 30 pieces on the same day that the order is placed, which means we can readily adapt to our customers’ urgent demands when they require something immediately,” Mr. Noailly says. 

“We’re only a small company, but the integrated solution of Workplan and Radan has brought our factory in line with the Industry 4.0 philosophy of ‘smart production’ adopted by companies many times our size,” he concludes.