small batch production

One-of-a-kind or small batch manufacturer can only derive process times from previous projects to a limited extent for the planning of customer order and component-specific projects and transfer these to new projects. This is due to the fact that the process times depend on influencing parameters that are directly related to the respective component. As part of a research project, these influencing parameters to the duration for logistic processes are examined. The identification of the influencing parameters using a Delphi Study is explained in this article.

Incremental sheet forming is a new approach, which offers high flexibility and economic advantages for low number manufacturing of complex sheet metal parts. The forming of the sheet metal is effected by the CNC-controlled movement of a universal, ball-headed punch in combination with a simplified die as a support under the sheet. This enables quick and cost effective adaptation to changes of the product geometry. The process itself can be carried out on any conventional 3-axis milling machine which is refitted with a clamping device for the metal sheet.