Agile manufacturers
like HBC Engineering Solutions use technology, organisational
approaches, systems and people in a manufacturing
concept which truly belongs to the 21st century and
which transcends existing methodology. Able to react
to rapid change and respond to an increasingly unpredictable
marketplace, HBC can produce what customers want,
when and exactly how they want it, at a cost-effective
price.
Agile
manufacturing(definition>)
is one of many terms which describe facets of
the post-mass production era. Other terms which
you may hear are niche, lean or optimised production,
flexible specialisation, post-Fordism, neo-Fordism,
human-centred manufacturing, mass customisation,
and anthropocentric production systems. Agility
does not mean quite the same, however. Where mass
customisation may have used such techniques as
product modularity combined with standardised
components in an attempt to offer customers a
wide (and variable) choice, that choice would
have been restricted nonetheless, even if large
in size. A problem would have been encountered
whenever a customer requested some product or
variation even slightly outside the envelope of
modular options available and at this point mass
customisation would break down. In contrast, an
agile manufacturer such as HBC Engineering Solutions
would be able to deal with this kind of exception
easily due to the flexibility of its workflow
structure and, moreover, its core culture.
HBC has the necessary agility to respond to changing
customer needs, rapidly, professionally and cost-effectively.
HBC's designers, marketeers, production personnel
and control systems share the same manufacturing
support technology which means that the same embedded
product, tooling and manufacturing data is available
to, and used by, all of them. This not only saves
time in the whole design and production process,
but clearly the likelihood of an initial minor
glitch having a larger downstream consequence
is hugely diminished. In true "agility"
style, HBC embraces the delivery of value and
choice to its customers, is poised and ready for
change, values its employees' knowledge and skills,
encouraging the formation of virtual partnerships
and in so doing allows products to arrive quickly
and flawlessly to the marketplace.
HBC is fast-moving, robust and highly adaptable.
It can therefore respond to ever-changing customer
needs, market opportunities and events. HBC's
business culture is founded on technology, processes
and a structure which facilitate rapid response
and adaptation in an incredibly co-ordinated way,
making it a highly competitive and dynamic enterprise.
HBC has redefined "best practice", "total
quality management" and "just-in-time"
production. It is "next generation"
manufacturing at its very best.
Rapid changeover and component assembly using
state-of-the-art robotic manipulators simply does
not come any better than at HBC Engineering Solutions.
Synchronised computer-based technology, rapid
modelling and tooling and, further down the line,
a sophisticated control interface, on-line error
correction, quick change mechanical manipulators
/ grippers, flexible parts feeders, automatic
sensors and actuators plus "machine-vision"
enabled feeding and assembly routines (rather
than hard fixturing to position and orientate
components in the assembly line) allow new parts
and configurations to be added to a component
system with minimal effort and minimum downtime.
Definition:
The concept of agility refers to a business
model which makes an organisation immune to damage
caused by unpredictable events and changing circumstances.
This is achieved by the organisation being able
to react and adapt rapidly. The coming surprises
of the future will not make an agile enterprise
vulnerable because that enterprise will have already
put in place a set of business practices, organisation-wide
culture changes and technology which will allow
it to be prepared for any change in circumstances,
market forces or customer needs. HBC Engineering
Solutions is one such company.
HBC Engineering Solutions
can be reached via the following:
• Telephone: 01795 586 267 (international: +44
(0)1795 586 267)
• or use the general online enquiry form on our
contact page
