Customer loyalty is a concept that often gets bandied about in the retail industry but it can also be successfully applied to industrial manufacturing sector. This week, we take a look at how you can build and reinforce a loyal base of customers as a sheet metal manufacturer.

Keep them informed

Set up a contact database of customer information so that you can reach out to your established customers on a regular basis. In a manufacturing context, this communication is generally most effective when you’re providing value adding information such as industry news or updates on your services and capabilities in a monthly newsletter.

Offer exceptional service

Customer service isn’t something that exists exclusively in the retail sector. Any type of consumer will respond strongly to a positive service experience so it’s important to go the extra mile wherever possible by being communicative, prompt, flexibly, honest and open to any criticisms.

Encourage employee loyalty

A loyal customer base can only exist in a company that runs smoothly and produces quality. For this reason, it’s crucial to build trust and loyalty amongst your most valuable business asset, your employees. If you build a business based on integrity and competency, your employees will not only respect and trust you, they will be proud to represent your brand. In an insular industry like sheet metal machinery where reputation is everything, this kind of positivity is very well received and will shape the way potential clients see your business.

Offer incentives

Incentives give clients a reason to return to your business and they can be offered in the form of discounts, free products or services like shipping, and rebates.

Let your products do the talking

At the end of the day, a client is not going to return to you if they are dissatisfied with your work so it’s important to ensure you produce quality, deliver on time, and remain commutative with the client throughout the purchasing process.

 

Acra offer and extensive range of new and used sheet metal machinery for sale in Melbourne. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

 

One of the most important resources on planet earth, metal has helped human civilisation advance in a way that no other species has ever been able to before. Although metal is ubiquitous in our everyday lives, it’s probably not something you think about all that often. This week, we delve into the secret life of metal with ten interesting facts.

1. The most abundant metal on Earth is iron, and it makes up most of the Earth’s core. The Earth’s crust on the other hand, is primarily aluminium.
2. Until the middle ages, there were only seven types of known metal including bronze, silver, lead, copper, mercury, iron and of course gold.
3. Brass is naturally antibacterial and that’s the reason why it is so commonly in public buildings for finishings like doorknobs and handrails.
4. The iconic Eiffel Tower is six inches taller during the summer months than it is during winter. This is because the iron and steel which the landmark is made of expands and contracts according to temperature.
5. If two pieces of uncoated metals touch, they permanently fuse together. On Earth, this doesn’t happen because the atmosphere puts a thin layer of oxidation between the metals, acting as a barrier.
6. The best metal for conducting electricity is silver, but it’s high cost means that in most commercial electrical products, copper is used instead
7. Structural steel played an integral role in the construction of the first sky scraper in 1883. The building constructed was the Home Insurance Building in Chicago and it was demolished 47 years later in 1931.
8. The word metal is a derivative of the Greek word ‘metallon’ meaning to quarry, mine or excavate.
9. 75% of the elements on the periodic table are metals. There are 118 known elements and 91 of them are metals. A number of the remaining 27 elements possess characteristics of metals and are referred to as semimetals or metalloids.
10. Mercury has the lowest melting point of all metals and is the only one which is in liquid form at ordinary room temperature. However, there are a number of other metals with a very low melting point. Gallium for example, can be melted in the palm of your hand.

 

Acra are well established sheet metal machinery suppliers with extensive industry experience and expertise. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

All metal fabrication companies are not made equally. Service, quality, and efficiency varies widely across the industry, so it’s important to be able to discern whether or not a particular company has the capability and professionalism required to get the job done. This week, we take a look at five key factors to consider when seeking out a sheet metal fabricator.

Capabilities

Firstly and most importantly, you need to determine whether or not the fabricator has experience with your type pf project. Most sheet metal manufacturers specialise in a particular area and the processes different companies in the industry use can be radically different. You need to find a company capable of working with the grade, gauge and type of metal your project requires. Some fabricators may agree to take the work on and simply outsource the work, which can mean a compromise on quality and an increase in cost. So make sure the fabricator you choose has the experience, skilled staff and production capacity to complete your project in house.

 

Experience

Practical hands on experience can make an enormous difference to product quality in the fabrication industry, so it’s important to choose a company with an established track record. Try to find a company capable of breaking down a project into detailed costs, can translate shop drawings into viable plans, certified workers and project managers with hands on experience.

 

Quality

Make inquiries into the quality control processes that the fabricator undertakes on each project. Also read up on the certifications the company holds so you understand what compliance regulations they adhere to.

 

Methodology

Ideally, a fabricator should have a methodology that is client focused and ensures the project is managed and tracked at every turn. A good company should be able to both track and manage even the most complex projects as part of their process control.

Customer Service

To reiterate, customer satisfaction is the single most important factor in any metal fabrication project and you need to find a company that entrenches customer service excellence as part of it’s business philosophy.

 

Acra are well established sheet metal machinery suppliers based in Melbourne. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

This week, we continue to look at the maintenance requirements of hydraulic press brake systems. This is the second and final part in our series about how you can extend the lifespan of your hydraulic press and minimise breakdowns through regular maintenance and vigilance.

 

Check the control wiring

Control wiring needs to be checked on an annual basis to ensure it’s in good condition and all of the connections are secure. Any loose wiring needs to be tied with wire ties or placed in wire ways, whilst spare or unused wires need to be capped off or removed. Finally, any dust or debris present needs to be cleaned away to prevent damage or degradation.

 

Tend to frayed hoses immediately

Tend to frayed hoses or incorrectly crimped fittings immediately as these can cause plumbing failures. To ensure they can withstand any kind of system pressure, fittings need to be crimped by an authorised facility, and hoses should always be positioned in a way that ensures they cannot touch one another.

 

Change filters regularly

Oil sampling should be done at least once a year to determine whether or not your filters need changing. Sampling will be able to give you an indication of the kinds f particles present in the oil, whether there is water present, and the lubricity. Sampling will also let you know whether the right micron level of filtration is being employed.

Prioritise clean oil

Dirty oil and low oil levels can limit the lifespan of your hydraulic press, so it’s important to ensure the oil is not compromised by heat or dirt.

 

Optimise oil temperature

48˚ is the ideal temperature for oil in a hydraulic press, and the the cooling mechanisms for this part of the system need to be properly cared for to ensure they are able to maintain this number. To do this, the radiator needs to either regularly cleaned to remove dirt and debris that inhibits airflow, or by attaching a filter to the heat exchanger.

Keep the temperature below 65˚

Generally speaking, a hydraulic press should run relatively cool compared with other machinery, ideally somewhere between 48˚ and 60˚.

 

ACRA stocks a number of different new and used press brake technologies including hydraulic presses. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

 

 

Probably the most popular type of press brake technology, hydraulic presses are a great solution for manufacturers seeking accuracy and control in high tonnage operations. To get the most out of these machines however, you do need to be vigilant and perform regular maintenance checks. This week, we run through five essential maintenance tasks you should perform in order to keep your hydraulic press in good working order.

 

Perform regular leak checks

Only a damaged hydraulic press leaks. If you notice a leak, check the ram of the press, O ring seals, valve seats, hose end fittings, and hydraulic lines immediately to identify the source of the leak. Lubrication issues are a common cause of leakage, so it’s important to consult your operation manual and apply the correct kind of lubrication wherever necessary.

 

Do a daily check

You should perform a daily check for oil leaks, oil level, loose bolts, guided platens and press ram lubrication (it should be light), oil temperature, and general cleanliness as well as the automatic shutdown function when the beam is broken.

Ensure pressure builds quickly

A hydraulic press in good working condition takes no more than 1.5 seconds to reach the maximum required pressure. If the pressure build-up takes more than two or three seconds, this could indicate a pump problem, that the relief valve is working too slowly, or that the press motor is not producing enough revolutions per minute for pressure to build up. Dirt or debris in the line, or the valve being open too wide are both common causes of compromised valve function.

 

Keep an eye on valve shifts

When working properly, valve shifts should be smooth and silent. Any banging noises which occur during speed changes could be an indication that something is not working as it should be, and needs to be investigated as soon as possible.

Count the strokes

Valve coils typically have a lifespan of 3 million strokes, whilst relays have a life cycle of 1 million strokes. Keeping an eye on these numbers helps you anticipate when the coils need replacing, so you can do it before they fail and reduce overall downtime. Use an hour meter or no resettable cycle counter to establish accurate lifecycle times and develop a maintenance schedule.

 

ACRA are a reputable stockist of new and used press brake technology. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

As a manufacturer, the prospect of having to replace your machinery is never a pleasant one, and probably something you’ll want to put off. However, at some point, you need to seriously consider whether or not the equipment you currently have meets the operational requirements of your business. This week, we run through five clear signs it’s time to invest in some new machinery.

It doesn’t fit in with your current system

A machine can only be an asset to your business if it is able to be properly integrated into your production system. A machine that runs too fast, too slow, or on a completely different operating system to the other elements in your production line makes it impossible to get the most out of your system. After all, a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link.

It slows the workflow

By extension, if a machine can’t work in tandem with others in the system to achieve a consistent workflow, it needs to be replaced.

There is safer technology on the market

Whilst it’s not always economically viable or sensible to always buy the newest, flashiest model on the market, in the manufacturing world operational health and safety considerations are paramount, so if there is a new technology on the market that reduces the workplace hazards faced by your employees, it’s well worth investing in.

 

It has suffered several breakdowns over the past year

As a machine is coming to the end of it’s working life, the various working parts will begin to wear out and break down. If you’ve noticed an increase in the number of breakdowns or part replacements in the last twelve months, then it’s probably time to start thinking about upgrading.

 

It has escalating operating and maintenance costs

By the same token, if the operational costs of the machinery such as it’s energy consumption and maintenance requirements increase, then a new machine may be a more economically viable option.

 

ACRA offer an extensive range of new and used sheet metal machinery for sale. To learn more about our stock and services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team by calling 03 9794 6675.