March 29, 2021

How does the Bihler 4 Slide-NC® system assist in maintaining quality standards?

A smooth-running manufacturing operation depends on structured quality, safety, reliability, and ergonomic programs. The Bihler 4 Slide-NC® complete stamping system offers advanced features that facilitate all of these necessary manufacturing functions. The Bihler 4 Slide-NC® boasts robust capabilities that enhance productivity, and that simultaneously support quality and compliance standards, such as ISO9001, Registered Medical Quality Standard 13485, and Automotive quality standard IAT 16949. This blog series will highlight the operational and productivity advantages the Bihler 4 Slide-NC® system brings to a manufacturing operation.

What is CPK?

Manufacturers typically use the Process Capability Index (often abbreviated Cpk) to measure the ability of a machine to produce output within the customer’s specification limits. The higher the Cpk value, the better the manufacturing process is in terms of precision, and the more likely it is that the overall process is a capable one.

Cpk measures two things. First, it measures the proximity of the arithmetic mean of the readings has to the target process mean of the lower and upper specification limits. Ideally, the mean of the readings should be equal to the mean of the specification limits.

Cpk also measures the span of the measurements and how widely spread the readings are – a calculation known as the standard deviation. Ideally, the standard deviation of the process readings should be zero. The higher the Cpk value, the more capable the process is to meet the customer specifications. The industry standard for favorable Cpk values are those that are in the range of 1.33 to 1.66.

The Bihler 4 Slide-NC® system typically yields high Cpk values for all of its industrial processes. In addition, to further assist users in maintaining their quality standards, Bihler 4 Slide-NC® also offers online perimeter support and data points.

The intuitive Bihler 4 Slide-NC® is automated to track performance parameters, and to provide instantaneous live feedback, both in terms of part quality, and in terms of maintenance. This feature not only eliminates the need for the constant examination of parts, but it seamlessly directs the machine operator toward any necessary maintenance, as well as toward any cam profile adjustments that would be desirable.

The Bihler 4 Slide-NC® system offers a manufacturer an optimal way opportunity to improve its quality, and to increase its Cpk values, often by at least 50%, and in many instances, by even more.

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