This June, a Baldwin Filters engineer, whom SourceOne has worked with in the past, contacted us requesting a quote for an assembly machine. Earlier in the year, Baldwin Filters was acquired by Parker Hannifin (another SourceOne customer), and some restructuring resulted in the closing of a North Carolina manufacturing plant. The machine build design would help solve disruption and output challenges related to this closure. After working through some concepts, we received the PO to build the machine. While early discussions revolved around needing the machine in 8 weeks, which seemed unlikely, we agreed on a 12-week lead time. This 12-week agreement earned placement in the record books as one of the quickest machine build projects, of its size, in SourceOne history!
The machine consists of a “dial plate” indexing table with 12 stations. Vibratory bowl feeders and conveyors supply three separate parts (can/insert/drain valve) to the plate where they are precisely placed and processed to become one sub-assembly of a finished fuel filter. The machine processes two parts (simultaneously) every three seconds for a rate of 40 parts per minute. The use of four separate servo motors make this possible – due to the quick index speed and torque specs needed for the drain valve insertion.
We recently started working with Lighting for Impact to supply LED lighting designed into our machine guarding. The Baldwin team attending our run-off was quick to notice and compliment the additional lighting LFI supplied. The LED light improved the process for assembly and maintenance, making visibility much better for SourceOne during the project, and our customers when the machine is in production.
This project set a new record for SourceOne, and has further grown our relationship with current customers. We’re excited about future opportunities to work together, and always enjoy applying innovative ideas, methods, engineering expertise and machine designs to help solve challenges for SourceOne customers. A big thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in the project. Check out the video below of the machine in action! On to the next build!