Q: How can my company cut costs on our part feeding or automated system?

A: Cutting Costs on Your Part Feeding System

Today's global market demands flat or regressive pricing on every purchase component. Aggressive companies on the cutting edge are seeking and finding ways to meet this challenge. If you're an end user or an automated machine builder you really need to know…how can I save on my next part feeding system?

The answer is simple. Do your homework.

To begin with you need to know what is involved in the quote for your feeding system. These components, however your supplier chooses to label them, must be included:

1) Labor
2) Purchase Components
3) Materials
4) Markup for overhead and profit

Knowledge of these factors is power in your favor. Let's examine how.

Labor

In the normal situation, your feed system is quoted based on the number of hours estimated to be required to design, fabricate and test your part feeding system. Your supplier may have a set hourly fee per hour. For example a '40 hour' vibratory bowl may be billed at $50-135 (US) per hour, for a total labor cost ranging from $2000-5400. Quite a degree of variation. A small to medium sized supplier who will generally have lower hourly fees.

Either way, the hourly fee could be somewhat negotiable, especially if you know what degree of difficulty is involved in your feeding application. If feeding your parts presents an exceptional challenge (tangles, high feed rate or exacting FDA standards), acknowledge that and be willing to pay for the expertise to get it fed right. Keep in mind that an honest supplier who recognizes a problem part, will most likely tell you when your dealing with a 'duck'. Those parts should be noticeably less expensive to feed.

Purchase Components

Not every supplier advertises set costs for items like vibratory or inline drives (power units) and basic (untooled) bowls, but those who do should be quoting your project! If these prices are not out front, they're usually a costly markup hidden within your system quote. If you know exactly what these items cost, you can dissect your quote and see more clearly where every dollar is going.

Some feed component suppliers may even be willing to quote your system with no markup on these purchases, especially if you purchase them separate from the actual design and fabrication of the system. Do you homework and find a few different suppliers of components used in part feeding. Being willing to put your capital to work buying your own components can help keep your project within budget.

Materials

Do you know what materials (and services) are used in your feed system? Probably stainless steel sheets and circles (304 standard and 316 FDA). Possibly tool steels and machining for selectors and vibratory inlines. What about materials for coatings (urethane or Devcon Flexane for example)?

Sensors, controls, air fittings, etc. are also purchased as part of your automated system, so if you have the opportunity to offer any of these components offer to supply them as well.

Anything that you are willing and able to supply presents another opportunity to cut out a potential markup. And the more educated you are, the better chance you have for reducing or eliminating some questionable expense.

Overhead and Profit

Knowing when and how to purchase is key to hedging here. Are you a new customer? Why not become one! Everyone loves a new customer and is usually willing to make substantial adjustments to prove their capabilities. Of course, check for references. Look for repeat business. That tells you that your supplier is willing to work through difficulties to satisfy everyone (problems? You bet they come up).

If you have a quote that you're just not happy with, make a counter offer. The worst they can do is say no.

Keep in mind that in the automation world there are slower times and busier times. If you have the luxury to order from late November to early February, you may be pleasantly surprised with both the bottom line and lead time.

Worth the Effort

Doing the homework is definitely worth the effort when it comes to making the step toward automation. By getting to know as much as you can about the business you'll be able to make an informed decision and cut the cost of your next part feeding system!