Page 69 - MetalForming October 2009

“We have no money for training,” is the other challenge those of us who specialize in die protection and mis- take-proof manufacturing have to face. Whether we are individual private con- sultants or teachers on this topic, we all have to be flexible with our fees to bet- ter reflect the new economic realities of our clients. Make sure that during your visit to the show you ask for discounts from those who individually and inde- pendently consult and teach to the met- alforming industry. Do not be shy about this. Not only should you ask for dis- counted fees from the die-protection advisors, but also seek out discounts from those who similarly consult and teach on the various aspects of metal- forming including topics such as lubri- cants, die design, tool and press main- tenance, lean practices and worldclass manufacturing.
Being frugal is not the same as being cheap. We all know individuals who at the height of their financial status main- tained an attitude of buying everything on the cheap, and then regretted it as their processes collapsed or were great- ly compromised by the poorly built technologies they purchased. What I advocate is very different. I am not pro- posing a flea market, bargain-till-you- drop mentality. Rather, I ask that you do not give up on your die-protection and mistake-proofing dreams because of the initial price being asked for by the vendors of equipment.
Keeping your project alive while scouting for cost-downs is a healthy practice in this economy. The dream of lean, efficient and mistake-proofed factory operations cannot be compro- mised; rather it should be sustained realistically by seeking financial con- cessions from vendors, consultants and teachers. MF
write no. 57
www.metalformingmagazine.com
write no. 58
OCTOBER 2009 67