Collaborative production line upgrade at world-class off-highway manufacturer

BACKGROUND

Turnmill Engineering assisted Komatsu UK with engineering solution to meet new production targets.

To better foster collaboration and innovation, engineering specialist, Turnmill Engineering, sought to establish a productive partnership with Komatsu UK, a prominent member of the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA).

Through NEAA’s assistance, Turnmill initiated a connection with the global yellow goods manufacturer to become an approved supplier.

APPROACH

Komatsu, a renowned global player in the heavy equipment manufacturing industry, faced the challenge of enhancing their production line equipment to meet new production targets without compromising on quality. This required a strategic approach involving reverse engineering of existing parts and the development of new special purpose components.

Turnmill were invited to the Komatsu Birtley site to discuss potential projects and engaged in close collaboration with the Komatsu engineering team to devise a comprehensive strategy. This strategy focused on designing and producing a series of parts that would not only enhance production efficiency but also maintain Komatsu’s commitment to quality.

The project’s implementation involved a blend of reverse engineering of existing components and the creation of new ones, all accomplished through CAD modelling. Leveraging in-house expertise and the collaborative spirit with Komatsu engineers, Turnmill meticulously planned the production process and played a vital role in ensuring the solution was seamlessly integrated into Komatsu’s existing build schedule, with zero disruption to ongoing production.

OUTCOME

The joint efforts allowed Komatsu to enhance their production line equipment and meet the new production targets, all while upholding their exemplary quality standards.

Turnmill’s suggestions and production strategy were approved by the Komatsu team, leading to an agreed-upon delivery schedule. By working closely with Komatsu engineers, Turnmill not only addressed their production challenges but also contributed to enhancing their operational efficiency and product quality.

“It’s been great to support Komatsu in their engineering journey. As specialists in reverse engineering, we were able to address the challenge quickly, with real impact for the Komatsu engineers and their production line.”

Andrew Howe, Operations Director
Turnmill Engineering

“In terms of Turnmills contribution, the manufactured parts they supplied were of a high standard and at present, there are no modifications required to your work. I’ve also been impressed with Turnmill’s communication throughout.”

Daniel Krohn, Trainee Production Engineer
Komatsu UK

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