After the acquisition of a GENOS L300EX lathe and two GENOS M560-V machining centers from OKUMA, the valve manufacturer was able to face the exponential increase in demand for medical supplies due to the health contingency of the COVID-19 disease. Now, they are prepared for future events with highly flexible and efficient production lines.

Fábrica de Instrumentos y Equipos (FINESA) is a Mexican company of the INFRA Group with business lines focused on the industrial sector (oxyfuel cutting equipment, pressure gauges and metal thermometers) and the medical area (perimeter equipment and oxygen therapy equipment and accessories, mainly regulators).

The plant, located in Tultitlán, México, has an area of approximately 5,800 m2 built on a surface of 9,500 m2, where 150 people work, 110 of whom are directly in the production department.

They have machining areas with conventional turning, milling and drilling processes; as well as one for manufacturing with punching and drawing processes. Also, they have a numerical control machine section that houses 8 lathes and 5 machining centers. In addition to this, there are transfer and multitask machines, which allow them to carry out combined milling and turning operations and increase the production capacity and flexibility of their operations.

Freddy Jardón, plant manager of FINESA, remembers that in 2018, and as part of a technological renewal strategy, they approached HEMAQ to acquire a new lathe, after investigating the characteristics of equipment that was on the market. They purchased an OKUMA GENOS L300EX lathe, which was a very good match for the type of tasks they needed to perform.

Subsequently, a new business opportunity for the manufacture of oxygen regulators was presented, with a project to replace the traditional valves of oxygen cylinders with valves that also have a flow regulation function. "We took on the project in our plant and then the scenario changed since, from being in a situation of mere technological renewal with a view to replacing equipment according to its useful life, we moved on to a situation where it became imperative to increase production capacity" Jardon explains.

So, they went out again to search for the technology that would allow them to achieve that change. “Many of the equipment that we saw did not meet everything that we were looking for. In the end, and thanks to the experience and good results we had with the lathe, it was practically natural to visit HEMAQ again. We found a suitable solution, a good offer and, by analyzing them exhaustively to review all the aspects related to this type of investment, we decided that they were the equipment that we needed.”

Two GENOS M560-V machining centers were purchased. Among the criteria that led to the selection, the configuration of the equipment, its technical capabilities and dimensions stand out. In addition to this, there were other aspects that the FINESA engineering team evaluated, such as availability and delivery times.

TEAMWORK

Freddy Jardón, who in addition to his industrial engineering degree at UPIICSA, has a postgraduate degree in Senior Management from the Banking University, considers it essential that the supplier not only offer him the equipment, but also share all his technical knowledge to structure the solution. “We are very good at what we do, making components for tanks. But at HEMAQ they are experts in machining technologies, and that is the value we are looking for.”

The FINESA team met with the HEMAQ engineers to talk to them about the project and let them know about their needs. They were shown the equipment installed in the plant so that they could understand the layout of the production where the new equipment would be. layout de la producción en la que estarían los nuevos equipos.

Albino Heredia, sales executive of HEMAQ, was at the forefront of the process and comments that they analyzed various options for machining centers. “They let us know about their special tools and we got to know the process well. They defined how they wanted to manufacture them and we joined their systems”.

Although some programs were modified to make better use of the equipment, the OKUMA GENOS M560-V equipment, which included 4th axis tables, was well configured with respect to what was needed in FINESA. “There was a good connection with the engineering area. We spoke the same language. The staff of both companies worked as a single team, from the moment the machine was received until production began. It was key to know their tools well because we were able to make an adequate and very friendly configuration for the use of the machines”, Heredia details.

The HEMAQ team analyzed the production, took the information and came up with a proposal on the recommended equipment. But beyond that, "they even proposed a manufacturing process that in the end, when the purchase decision was made, we worked on it together, resulting in the combination of the experience of both companies, a solution that was more beyond what we expected”, recognizes the director of FINESA.

REACTION TO THE CONTINGENCY

An outstanding aspect of this project was that it was not necessarily something disruptive in its engineering because, although it was a new component, the product was not very different in essence from what is generally produced at the FINESA plant in the State of Mexico. The real challenge started with an abrupt change in volume due to the demand generated by the COVID-19 disease pandemic.

The project did not originate with the pandemic, but it did worsen as a result of it. In fact, the project accelerated when the development of the so-called "first wave" of infections was just beginning. At the end of 2020, the situation was already critical and demand was very high.

Thanks to the incorporation of OKUMA equipment, it was possible to add values of versatility and flexibility to the medical equipment manufacturing lines, allowing them to meet new, unforeseen needs. Jardón comments that “the machines are very noble and played a fundamental role. We looked for the benefits of the equipment and matched the manufacturing on the production floor, and that is how we achieved our goals.” match de parte de la manufactura en el piso de producción, y fue así como logramos alcanzar nuestras metas”.

FINESA and HEMAQ had a very collaborative relationship since they first talked about the project. From there came the first observations and suggestions, the exchange of opinions and ideas, until the decision was made and the installation of the equipment. Then the task focused on the organization of work groups for the implementation of the solution and with it the training activities. After this and until now, communication has been open, direct and clear.

Regarding technical support, the response times have always been adequate and have served to resolve the problems presented. This is so important that FINESA's engineering team evaluates maintenance response times and the quality of technical support within an investment evaluation analysis matrix.

They have requested a lot of technical support for the configuration of tools and devices. The response of the HEMAQ engineers has been as expected, because in addition to a broad portfolio of technology, they have collaborated with observations and advice that have contributed significantly to increasing the efficiency of their processes.

“Our engineering staff is always available to the extent that it can help them improve their processes. Although I must admit that in reality the FINESA team has a high technical capacity”, says Albino Heredia. “When they have had technical questions, for example, cutting, special paths or types of tools, we support them. But they are very expert, to the point that they have their own workshop for sharpening special tools.”

INFRA, through its FINESA division, was able to fulfill this way, not only with the response to the market, but also with a social mission that was urgently required in the country due to the need to bring oxygen to COVID-19 patients.

"That makes me feel very satisfied, because we manufacture health products, and as long as you can contribute so that people can take care of themselves in this fundamental aspect of life, it nourishes you both professionally and personally," says Freddy Jardón. “In this particular case, when the demand was very high, it was gratifying to see that your work (and this is how we discussed it with our team) saves lives. This is how we see it. In fact, we take it as a flag to continue doing our work with commitment and satisfaction.”

Many companies stop updating technology because, at the time, they do not have the resources to acquire what they need. “This is a reality in our industry and in our country”, considers the manager of the FINESA plant. “In our cost analysis we studied the possibility of taking advantage of a financing plan offered by HEMAQ to acquire one of the machines. This undoubtedly helped the Board of Directors allow us to carry out the investment.”

At FINESA, they consider HEMAQ as an ally and without a doubt "it will be a first option when we require new equipment, either for new projects, such as the one that emerged with the valves, or for aspects of replacement and technological updating", says Jardón, who states that currently, in manufacturing, it is essential to be up-to-date in order not to lose competitiveness and improve productivity permanently.

“We are 100% proud to be a Mexican company, committed to users and people. Now that we were required to support during the pandemic, we gladly did so. Our level of commitment to society and our environment is increasing.”