Always looking for new, better ways and solutions to improve products, streamline manufacturing processes and introduce efficiencies, David Cockayne is a self-confessed engineering ‘purist’. He is able to apply his creative ability and proven logic to every aspect of the workplace, stimulating creative input through effective teamwork from both management and staff. A former ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at GEC in Birmingham, David went on to set up his own engineering and automatic assembly company, Modular Automation, at the age of 26. By 1998 he was heading up the Modular Industries Group, the UK’s largest privately owned assembly automation specialists, an organisation with a world class reputation. David’s conceptual design skills and vast engineering experience were a major influence on the group’s standing, which drew clients from around the world. The diversity and range of automated assembly projects the group handled – from automotive windscreens to back axles, detonators to batteries, syringes to blood test devices, dental floss dispensers to inhalers – bears testimony to an engineering ability of exceptional virtuosity. During his 30 years of providing assembly and robotic systems, he has found that most products fall short of their potential due to: the product… having a part or parts that lack the features needed to feed and orientate efficiently, suitability for assembly and how easily the component parts come together and support each other during production. the plant and equipment… selection will affect the cost of the product. Often price excludes the most suitable supplier. However, consider how inexpensive a machine that never delivers the required output is. the people… involved in the manufacturing process need to be included in the equipment specification and selection process. It is important to ensure they have the skill, understanding and commitment.
Any one of these areas will affect output, cause rejects and down time. Just think that one stoppage per hour will reduce production by a minimum of two percent. |
