You know how sometimes you wish they made a special product just to suit your application? SMC Pneumatics has come to the rescue of smaller manufacturers who are not able to afford large R&D costs for customisations with its concept of Simple Specials.
These are standard, simple modifications generally applied to cylinders, for example to the rod end shape, rod end thread size or tie rod length. According to product manager Ernst Smith, Simple Specials help customers to achieve their ideal solution. With over 12 000 basic component types it is hard to believe that anyone could need more, but these are divided further to accommodate any special requirement. “We offer around 750 000 product variations so we are focusing heavily on training. Every person currently employed by SMC has enjoyed extensive training in the UK,” he says. Smith has also undergone further intensive training in Japan, Spain and Germany.
“SMC’s online configurator allows customers to configure parts to exact specification,” he continues. “Added to this is the option of a made-to-order variant. Having been in every imaginable industry for so many years, we have realised that it is not possible to meet the specific requirements of every customer through standard catalogue stock. Customers often have an application that requires a specialised solution, for example high or low temperature, harsh environment or specific performance requirements. SMC will manufacture these specialised products for the customer from our range of standard products. We call it the X-factor as the final part number has an X number after the standard part number identifying what is special about it,” he elaborates.
The price of the item is readily available through the SMC office and is quite affordable compared to other made-to-order solutions. The X-factor customisations, which often involve special machining and assembly, will be accommodated at the company’s Johannesburg facility. SMC has invested almost R15 million on machining and tooling for the new facility to be able to offer customers local customisation and faster turnaround times.
If a higher level of customisation is required, SMC’s engineering division can assist customers with these more intricate requirements, referred to as Request for Special (RFS). This could be anything from a resin manifold to a cylinder with positioner for a special application. SMC South Africa has called on the expertise of an international production manager from SMC UK to assist with the initial management of the local production, ensuring the necessary skills are transferred and the facility achieves its production goals. In addition to local cylinder and valve terminal assembly, he will also assist with these RFSs.
The South African facility reports into the UK office of SMC, which has further capabilities should the local office not be equipped to deal with a special. There is also the option of further escalation to SMC’s Japanese head office. In the RFS cases, SMC will supply the customer with a ready-built system which makes installation quick and seamless.
“Ultimately we want happy customers who know that SMC is an innovative company with the ability to meet their requirements, no matter how specific,” concludes Smith. “Our company is not about futuristic concepts. Our aim is rather to continuously monitor the markets and listen to our customers, identifying their real needs and meeting these with real solutions.”
| Tel: | +27 11 100 5866 |
| Email: | zasales@smcza.co.za |
| www: | www.smcza.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about SMC Corporation South Africa |
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